Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-11-25


TT"
"Three years" Emerson replied.
"Impossible! Dear. dear. how time
flies when one is busy
Boyd has been telling me Of his
adventures" said Mildred. He is
going to dine with US"
Have you come home to stay?" ask
ed the father.
mo. sir | shall return in few
weeks"
Mr.. Wayland's cordiality seemed to
increase in some subtle manner.
"WeIl. am sorry you didn't make
a fortune. my boy. But. rich or poor.
your friends are delighted to see you.
and we shall certainly keep you for
dinner. am interested in that north
western country myself. and ] want to
ask some questions about It,"
II was well on toward midnight when
Emerson reached his hotel and. being
too full Of his visit with Mildred to
sleep. he strOIIed through the lobby
and into the POmDeinn room.
Boyd Emerson. BY .Jove. I'm glad
to see you" He turned to face an
| nnaelnic youth whose cOlnrless gas
bIcachcd face was wriukIrd INTO ~
expansive grin.
Hello. :aiton"
They shook hands like old friends.
while Atcu clyde continued to ex-
press his delight.
so you've been roughing it out In
Nebraska. eh?"
| ALASKA"
$50 it was. | always get those places
mixed. Come over and have Il drink
want to talk to you. Funny thing.
just met Il Klondiker myself this
evening. Great chap too! ! want you
to know him; he's immense His name
is Froelich. but he isn't a Dutchman.
Come on, you'll like him."
Clyde led lis companion toward
table,
Mr.. Froellch showed back his chair
and turned. exposing the face Of "Fin-
gerless" Fraser, quite expressionless
save for the left eyelid. which dropped
meaningly.
"'Froelich! said Boyd angriy;
good heavens. Fraser. have you pick
ed another? | thought you were going
to stick to 'Frobisher.'" Turning to
Clyde, he observed: This mans name
is Fraser. One Of his peculiarities is
dislike of proper names. lie has
never found one that suited him"
Il like 'Froelich pretty WELL" OBJ
served the imperturbable Fraser. 1T
sounds distanguay and
Don't believe anything he tells you"
Boyd broke in. seating himself. HE
is the most circumstantial liar in the
northwest. and if you don't watch him
every minute he will sell you a hy-
draulic mine or rubber plantation or
sponge fishery. Underneath his &C.
ccntricities. however. he is really
pretty decent fellow, and l am indebt-
ed to him for my presence here to-
night
Alton Clyde made his establishment
evident by inquiring incredulously of
Fraser. ''Then that scheme of yours to
establish gas plant at Nome was
al'-
"Certainlyw Emerson laughed. THE
incandescent lamp travels about as
fast as the prospector. Nome is light
ed by electricity and has been for
years"
as it?" demanded Fraser. with AN
assumption Of the supremest surprise.
"You know as well as do"
HIN! I'd forgotten. Just the same.
my plan was a good one. Gas is
cheaper" He reached for his glass.
ut which Clyde's eye fell upon his
missing fingers. and the young club
man exploded:
well. if that's the kind Of pill you
are, maybe you didn't lose your mitt
in the Boer war either"
Emerson answered for the adventur-
err: Hardly! He got blood poisoning
from Il hangnal."
Clyde began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Really. that's great! Oh. that's love
ly!"
Clyde said he was in poor health
and wanted a chance to regain lost
appetite and lost money.
I'll give you Il chance to recoup.'
said Boyd. II am here to raise some
money on good proposition"
The younger man leaned forward
eagerly IF you say it's good that's
all / want to know. I'll take.a chance.
I'm in for anything from pitch and toss
to nanslaughter."
I'll tell you what it is and you can
use your own Judgment"
II haven't particle" Clyde confess
ed. IF ! had | wouldn't need to in
vest. Go ahead. however: I'm all ears"
The other outlined the plan. To Clyde.
Boyd Emerson had ever represented
the ultimate type of all that was most
desirable. and time had not lessencd
his admiration.
at looks rs if there might be jolly
rumpus, doesn't it?" he questioned
ut does"
Then I've got to see 1t. I'll put In
my share if you'll let me go along"
"You go! Why. you wouldn't like
that sort Of thing" said Emerson. con-
sderably nOnplused,
"Oh. wouldn't 1? I'd eat it! It's just
what need Id revel in that outdoor
life" He threw back his narrow shout
ders I'm Il regular scout when 1t
comes to roughins it. Why, | camped
in the Thousand islands all one sum
mot, and I'rn Lnau door limiting in the