Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-02-17


the prosperity which harrington hs6
20 rapidly achieved. Let him stop
caviling. said the virtuous harrington
70 himself. and seek success bv lead.
ing sober life, as he did.
Feeling that he had been insu,to6
harrington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford In a
curt How are your accompanied nv
barely perceptible nod when thew
cnanced to meet. 1t was with a good
oeai OF surprise, therefore. that Hart.
!oro. giancing up from his rather di.
Aapidated desk as he heard the door
open. perceived harrington entering
us once. One had not to look at Bar
rangton twice to be convinced that no
was badly frightened. His eyes, which
ordinarily regarded those about him
WIN an air OF easy federation. were
woe with terror. and his well chisel-
81 FEATURES. customarily wearing an
ar OF placid conceit. were now white
and drawn. His manner toward Hart
Iord was no longer supercilious. All
MS carefully constructed attitude Of
dignity had vanished.
you've been in this part of the
country longer than l have, Hartford. !"
said he. Il want your advice as a.
friend. you know"
Hartford nodded and withdrew his
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succinctly. whats
the row."
why, you see," said harrington. ..it
seems that in filing the papers for Jim
busby on that last mining claim Of
his made slight error. have been
doing large business. you know.
Hartford-a very large businessman
1t was Inevitable that should make
a mistake occasionally. 1t seems that
some INSCRIPTIONS persons have taken
advantage OF this purely technical slip
and have jumped Busby's claim, and
ne Is very much exercised about it."
Il should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed.
YES" repeated Darlington, ''he is
much exercised and quite unreason-
able about it. He came into my
office few moments ago and demand
ed an explanation. OF course couldn't
tell him anything except that it was
just mistake such as any man might
make, and he said was lying to him.
He said ! was too smart to make q
fool break like that and that was in
with the gang that were trying to do
him out Of a claim that would have
made him rich. l argued with him
the best could, but it didn't bulge
him. He said he didn't see that 1t
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er was a fool or a knave, because
either way l hadn't any right to live,
and he wound up by saying that he'd
just go down to the Jolly Dog and get
a few drinks to put him in the right
frame Of mind and then he'd come
back and reduce the membership of
the Gilt Gulch bar by one"
1t is significant Of Hartford's broad
and tolerant temperament that he did
not remind harrington that he had
previously predicted such a catastro-
phe as had now befallen. Neverthe-
less slight glimmer of amusement
stole across his face.
$50 you want my advice, do YOU"
he asked.
II should appreciate it very much"
said Darlington.
"Well, you shall have it," said Hart
ford laconically, rapping the bowl Of
his pipe against the heel Of his shoe.
IF Jim Busby were out cunning for
me and couldn't shoot any better
than you can, and had a comfortable
little sum saved. as you have, and
there were a pretty girl in New Eng
land who didn't know any Letter than
to love me, as she does you, I'd go east
on the half past train. and I wouldn't
hurry back"
But the trouble is" Darlington ex-
planned, "Susie-Miss Cutler, that is
will be here on the train that gets in
at ESQ. The trains pass on the first
siding out, you know. The fact is we
are to be married day after tomorrow
at noon. You'll pardon my emitting
to send you an invitation. won't you?
1t was quite unintentional I've been
so busy
"Oh," Hartford broke in, with dep
recatory wave Of his arm. you need
not apologize. It's just one Of those
little mistakes busy man is bound to
make every now and then. l haven't
Busby's disposition. I'll forgive you."
Then Hartford looked at his watch
and found that it was twenty minutes
past 2.
You'll have to move lively, my
boy" he said. Keep an eye open for
Jim, and If the coast is clear take the
$50. If it isn't, walk over to Sand
City and take the next one there"
But about SUSIE" Darlington re-
monStrated
"Pshaw!" growled Hartford. That's
easy enough. Leave note for her
18th %bo c<o ton mo otor telling her To