West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-04

the stranger and his secrecy. He was
there to fight his boss battles. IL he
had any This was not in the con
tract, but Il was part read into the
paper 10y Sagcbrush
Say. my names Sagcbrush Charley" a"
he cried. with show of Importance.
I'm ranch boss for Pay>on II YOU
want TO settle any old claim ugiu Jack.
I'm actin as his suhsttoo, for him this
cvcniu'."
ION the contrary said Lane. with
smile at Sagchrush's outbreaks. "he
has claim against me"
Ii was such a pleasant. kindly look
hc gave SagcbruSh that the foreman
was diSarmed completely.
IN tell him" hr said over his shoul-
der
Dick muscd over the changes that
had occurred since he had left the re
gion. Two years absence from a grow
ing country means new faces. new
ranches and the wiping out Of old land
marks with the advance OF population
and the invasion OF the railroad lie
wondered n Jack would know him
with his beard. He knew his mirror
told hin-that his appearance had
changed greatly, and he looked twenty
years older than on the day he left the
old homo ranch.
His trend OF thought was interrupt
cd by the entrance Of Jack on the
porch from the house
"My names Payson." Jack began
hurriedly, casting a haSty glance back
ward into the hallway. for the ccrc-
mouy was about TO begin. You want
10 see mcT'
Jack cried Dick. holding out his
hand eagerly old man. don't
you know mc2" he continued faltcr-
ingly. seeing no sign of recognition I'm
his friends eyes
Payson gaspcd. shocked and startled
The man before him was a stranger
I'm looks but the voice the voice was
that Of Dick Lane. the last man I'm the
world he wanted 30 see that moment
Frightened, almost bctraylng himself
he glanced at the half open door II
Dick entered he knew Echo would be
lost 10 him. She might love him truly
and her love for Dick might have
passed away, but he knew that Echo
would never forgive him for the de
ccption that he had practiccd upon
her.
GraspInG his friends hand weakly.
he faltcrcd. "Dick Dick I.anc"'
Jack realized he must act quickly.
Some way or somehow Dick must be
kept out OF the house until after the
marriage. Then he Jack, must take
the consequences Dick saw his hcsl-
tation. II was not what he had cx-
pectcd. But something dreadful might
have happened while he was away.
there had been so many changes.
why what's the mattcr?" he asked
anxiously. you got my letter. You
knew was comlngT'
Eyes, yes. ! know" lamcly answered
Jack. But | expected notice. You
know you said
81 couldn't wait Jack. I'm n rich
| man, thanks 20 YOU
Eyes. yes; that's all right" said Pay.
son, disclaiming the praise OF the man
he had so Grlcvously wronged with n
hurried acknowledgment OF his graft.
tudc
"And ! hurried back for fear Echo
"Oh. yes. I'll tell her about Il when
she's ready 90 hear It."
What Is the matter Jack? Are you
keeping something from me? Where
IS sheI'
"In there" said Payson fccbly, point
Ing TO the door.
Dick eagerly started toward the
house, but Jack halted him. saying:
NO you mustn't go in now There's
party-yOu see. she hasn't been well:
doesn't expect you tonight The shock
might be too much for her"
Jack grasped AT the lame excuse. II
was the first % come 10 his mind. Ue
must think quickly. This experience
was tearing the heart out OF him. lie
could not save himself from betrayal
much longer
you're right" acqulcsccd Dick. you
tell her when you get a chance. Jack.
MS ] was saying, I've made quite a bit
Of money out OF my Bsbcc holdings.
] can pay back my stake 10 you now"
"Not now" said Jack ncryOusly
Would this torture never end? Here
was his friend whom he had betrayed.
| come back In the very hour OF his mar
rlaec 10 the woman who had promised
FIRST TO marry him. Now me was offer.
| lng him money, which Jack needed
badly, for his prospective mothcr-in-
! law was complaining about his taking
her daughter 90 a mortRagcd home.
Sure, now" continued Dick. pulling
a roll Of bills from his pocket ITS
5000. Here it is. all in ono bundle"
"Not now Let that wait" said Jack.
pushing the money aside
'Its waited long enough" cried Dick
/ doggcdly you put the mortgage on
your ranch 10 let me have the money.
I and It must bc about due now"
"Ycs, it VIII be- due. but Bet 81 watt"
whats the use? I'm all right now
] brought the cash with me ON purpose
! wanted TO square it with You on
| sight"
Dick pressed the money into Jacks
hand. closing his fingers over the roll
Of bills with a sigh Of relief as II q
| disagrccoblc task was completed. hc
questioned. How BudW
Jack replied shortly "Ai right. he's
inside
"G didn't write to him." chccrfulIy re.
umed Dick " didn't want the kid
TO know lie is So cxoitabic he would
have blobbcd 10 right out TN sure be
glad to sec the boy again Hes I'm
pulsivc. but his hearts nll right I
know you've kept "a lookout over him "
This trust iu him was getting too
much for Jack 60 bear. So the voice Of
| Polly crying TO him 90 hurry up was
music t0 IBIS ears "I'm coming" he
shouted "GU sec you iu N fcw min.
ufrg' Io told Dick "Tvo c0f1rfnfrg