Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-12-20

his face wore a look Of daZed incrcdu
lily, and his manner was SO extraor.
binary that they questioned in chorus:
whats the matter? Are you sick o.
NO" said he. but IL must have
lost my mind"
What is it?"
"The trick is turned"
"The trickv
II have raised the money"
With shout that startled the other
occupants of the room Bait and Clyde
Jumped to their feet and began t.
caper about In frenzy. Even "Fin-
gerless" Frasers eXpressionless face
cracked in a wide grin of the blankes.
amaZemeEt.
about neon l was called on the
phone by billiard. He asked me to
come down to the bank at once, and
went. He said he had reconsidered
and wanted to put up the money. It's
mp. He'll back us. I've got it in writ
ing. It's all cinched 100000, and
more if we need it,"
you must have made a great talk"
declared Clyde.
II said nothing. He offered it him
self as personal loan. 1t has nothing
to do with the bank. I'm going to tell
Cherry now"
Alton Clyde Uttered. II told you she
could pull it off," he said
This was billiards. own notion"
Boyd returned coldly. ''He merely re-
considered his decision. and
Turn over! You're on your back"
1T was only yesterday afternoon
that talked with Cherry. dare say
she hasn't seen him since"
well, l happen to know that she
has. As came home last night saw
them together They came out of that
French cafe across the street and got
into billiards. car. She was dressed
UP like a pony"
whats that got to do with it," de-
manded "L'ingerless" Fraser.
"She pulled the old fellows leg.
that's ALL" explained Alton.
IF thought she had done that"
said Emerson slowly. Il wouldn't
touch a penny Of the money"
II don't care where the money came
from or how it got there" rumbled
Bait. Its here; that's enough
But Boyd chung to his point with
stubbornness which he himself found
it difficult to explain. The arguments
of the others only annoyed him. The
walk to Chcrry's hotel afforded him
time for reflection. which, while it
deepencd his doubt. somewhat lessen
ed his impatience. and when he was
shown into her presence he did not be-
gin in the impetuous manner he had
designed.
What makes you think l had any
thing to do with it," she asked after
he had spoken.
She nodded slightly. I'VE closed OF.
negotiations for the copper mine last
night"
How did you come out?'
"He takes, it over and does the de-
velopment work." she answered.
"That means that you are indepcnd
ent; that you can leave the north coun-
try and do all the things you want to
do?" This time her smile was pllz-
cling. "You don't seem very glad"
NO! Realization discounts anticipa-
ton about 90 per cent. But don't lets
talk about me. lin unstrung to-
day"
I'm sorry you aren't going back to
Kalvik," he said, with genuine regret.
but l am" she declared quickly.
I'm going back with you and George
if you will let me. want to see the
finish of our enterprise"
See here. Cherry; hope you didn't
influence billiard in this affair"
"Why probe the matter?'
Because haven't lost all my man
hood" he answered roughly. "iestcr-
day you assumed the blame for this
trouble and spoke of sacrifices. and
well. l don't know much about wom-
en-. but for all know you may have
some ridiculous. quiXotic strain in your
makeup. | hope you didn't"-
"What?"
"Well, do anything you may be sorry
for" At last he detected Il CLEAN Of
spirit in her eyes.
Suppose | did. What difference to
you would that make?" He shifted
uncomfortably under the girls .cra'
",uy,