Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-12
nv GEORGE BARR M'cUTcHEoN

free of charge. A beggar can't be g
chooser, you know" said Brewster bit
terly: His color was gradually coming
back. What do they know about the
secretary? he asked suddenly, intent
and alive.
He was a new one, understand
who came to Jones less than a year
ago. Jones IS said to have had i'm
plicit faith in him." said Ripley.
And he disappeared at the same
time?"
"They were last seen together"
Then he has put an end to Jones!'
cried Monty excitedly. 1T is as plain
as day to me. Don't you see that he
exerted some sort Of influence over the
old man, inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solely for the purpose Of robbing
him Of the whole amount? Was ever
anything more diabolical?" He began
pacing the floor like an animal, nerv-
ously clasping and unclasping his
hands. 1--WE must catch that secreta-
ry! I don't believe Jones was dishon-
est. He has been duped by a clever
scoundrel."
''The strangest circumstance Of all,
Mr.. Brewster, is that no such person
as Golden, the purchaser of your prop
critics, can be found. He is supposed
to reside in Omaha, and it is known
that he paid nearly sS,0OO,OOO for the
property that now stands in his name.
He paid it to Mr.. Jones in cash, too,
and he paid every cent that the prop
erty is worth"
But he must be in existence some
where" cried Brewster in perplexity.
How could he pay the money If he
doesn't exist?"
81 only know that no trace Of the
man can be found. They know moth
ing of him in Omaha" said Grant help
lessly.
$50 it has finally happened" said
Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped. WELL" he added, throwing
himself into a deep chair, lit was al
ways much too strange to be true.
Even at the beginning it seemed like a
dream, and now-well, now 1 am just
awake, like the little boy after the
fairy tale. 1 seem like fool to have
taken 1t so seriously"
There was no. other way" protested
Ripley. you were quite right"
well, after ALL" continued Brew
ster, and the voice was as Of one In
dream, perhaps it's as well to have
been in Wonderland, even If you have
to come down afterward to the ordi-
nary world. 1 am foolish, perhaps, but
even now l would not give 1t up.
Then the thought Of Peggy clutched
him by the throat, and he stopped.
After a moment he gathered himself
together and rose. Gentlemen he
said sharply, and his voice had chang
ed" I have had my fun, and this Is
the end of 1t. Down underneath I am
desperately tired of the whole thing,
and give you my word that you will
find me a different man tomorrow.
am going to buckle down to the real
thing. I am going to prove that my
grandfather's blood is in me. And 1
shall come out on top
Ripley was obviously moved as he
replied: II don't question it for mo-
ment. You are made Of the right stuff.
I saw that long ago. You may count
on us tomorrow for any amount you
need"
Grant indorsed the opinion. Il like
your spirit, Brewster" he said. There
are not many men who would have
taken this as we'll. It's pretty hard on
YOU, too, and it's a miserable wedding
gift for your bride"
I'VE may have important news from
Butte in the morning" said Ripley
hopefully. "At any rate, more of the
details. The newspapers will have
sensational stories no doubt, and we
have asked for the latest particulars
direct from the authorities. Well see
that things are properly investigated.
Go home now. my boy. and go to bed.
You will begin tomorrow with good
luck at your side, and you may be
happy all your life in spite Of tonight's
depression"
I'm sure to be happy" said Brew
ster simply. 1.-The ceremony takes
place at o'clock, gentlemen. 1 was
coming to your office at on a little
matter of business but fancy it won't
after all be necessary for me to hurry.
I'll drop in before noon, however, and
get that money. By the way, here
are the receipts for the money l spent
tonight. Will you put them away with
the others? intend to live up to my
part of the contract, and 1t Will save
me the trouble of presenting them reg
larly in the morning. Good night,
gentlemen. 1 am sorry you were oblig-
ed to stay up so late on my account.
He left them bravely enough, but he
had more than one moment of weak
ness before he could meet his friends.
The world seemed unreal and himself
the most unreal thing in it. But the
night air acted as a stimulant and
helped him to call back his courage.
When he entered the studio at l o'clock
he was prepared to redeem his promise
to be "the jolliest fellow of them ALL"
CHAPTER XXXIV.
I'll tell you about it later, deal"
was all that Peggy. pleading, could
lrou, fror, hin,