Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-11

picturesque style,' declared Emerson,
angrily. ALTON swears he knows moth
ing about it, so you must have done
it. 1t is too nearly correct to have
come from stranger.
"Well?" inquired Fraser, quietly.
''The harm is done, but | want TO
know who Is to blame" When the
other made no answer except to stare
at him curiously. he famed up, why
don't you confess?"
For the first time during their &C.
quaintance "Fingerless" Fraser
seemed at a loss for words; but
whether for shame or some other mo-
tive, his companion was unable TO
tell. His nature was so warped that MS
emotions expressed themselves IN
ways not always easy to follow, and
now he merely remarked, with ap-
parent sullenness:
'I'm certainly a hot favorite with
you" He clambered stiffly back into
bed and turned his defiant face to the
wall, nor would he meet his accuser's
eyes or open his lips, even when BOYD
flung out of the room, convinced that
he was the culprit.
All that day Emerson waited fear
fully for some word from Hlll1ard,
but night came without it; and when
several days in succession had passed
without sign from the banker, ne
breathed more easily. He had already
begun to assure himself that, after all,
the exposure would have no effect,
when one evening the call he dreaded
came. A telephone message summoned
1 -; - l., OF oil
following morning.
.That means trouble" he grimly
told George.
''Maybe not" the big fisherman re,
piled. eff Hilliard took any stock IN
the story, it seems like he'd have
jumped you the next day."
"Our machinery is ordered. You re-
alize what it will mean if he backs
water now?"
"sure! Well have to go to some
other bank"
"Humph! I'll wiring Fraser's neck, "
muttered Emerson. 1--WE have troubles
enough without any new ones"
1t was with no little anxiety that he
asked for the banker at the oppointed
hour. and was shown into an ante
WIFI sJuO
"Mr. Hilliard Is busy; he wishes you
to wait"
Inside the glass partition Boyd
heard a woman's voice and billiards
laughter He took some comfort IN the
thought that the banker was in good
humor, at least; but, being too nervous
to sit still, he stood at the window, gaz
ing with vacant eyes at the busy street
crowds. Facing him, across the way
was a bulletin board in front OF a
newspaper Office; and, after time he
noted idly among it's various Items Of
information the announcement that the
mail steamer Queen had arrived al
midnight from Skagway. He wondered
why Cherry had not written. Surely
she must be anxious to know his prog
ress. He should have advised her OF
his whereabouts.
The door to billiards Office opened
and he heard the rustic of woman's
dress; then his own name spoken =
"Come in, Mr.. Emerson"
1CHAPTER-xIII- Continued.)
| His attention centered on the ap
preaching interviews he did not glance
toward the departing visitor until she
stopped suddenly at the outer door ant
llcame straight toward him with out
stretched hands. IS
Boyd"
He checked himself, and turned tc
face Cherry Malotte.
"Why. Cherry" he calculated, what
in the world" He took her two hands
in his, and she laughed UP into his
face. In the name of Heaven, where
did you come from?"
II arrived last night on the Queen,
she said. ooh, I'm glad to see you.
"But what brings you to the States;
| thought you were in Kali"
"Sh-h!" She laid finger on hel
lips, with a glance over her shoulder
at the door of the inner office. iii tel
you about 1t later"
| "Mr. Hilliard will see you now, sir,
| the attendant announced to Emer
son.
81 must talk to you right away!
Boyd exclaimed hurrjedly. II won't be
long. Can you waltz"
Certainly; I'll wait right here Only
hurry, hurry"
The pleasure of seeing her was sc
genuine that he squeezed her hands
heartily, dAu OlLClCu lAIiAieAi ~ y S"AAN'
tum with a smile on his lips. 1t was
gone, however, when he reappeared
a half-hour later, and in its place an
expression which caused her to in
quire, quickly:
what is the matter? Is something
wrong?"
He nodded, but it was not until they
had reached the outer Office that nc
said: Eyes, something is decidedly
wrong" Then in answer to her fur
Their question: "Wait a while: I'm toe
angry to talk. I'll have to tell you
about it before you'll understand" He
began to mutter under : his breath:
Come along. Well have lunch, and
I'll explain First, however, tell me
why you came out at this season.
II have big mining deal on with
Mr.. Hilliard He sent for me and
came. Oh, hardly know where to be
gin. But you remember when You
were in Kalvilk told you that had
several me-. out prospecting
eyes"
"Well last summer. long before you
came through, one of them located a
1oI,o 81 ,orpor~