Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-03-04

enough what inspired these critical OBJ
servstions. Hartford was jealous Of
the prosperity which harrington had
so rapidly achieved. Let him stop
caviling. said the virtuous harrington
to himself. and seek success by lead
ing a sober life. as he did.
Feeling that he had been insulted,
harrington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to a
curt How are your" accompanied by
a barely perceptible nod when they
CHANGED to meet. 1t was with a good
deal Of surprise. therefore, that Hart
ford, glancing up from his rather d.
lapidated desk as he heard the door
open. perceived harrington entering
his office. One had not to look at Bar
rington twice to be convinced that he
was badly frightened. His eyes. which
ordinarily regarded those about him
with an air of easy federation. were
wide with terror, and his well chisel-
ed features, customarily wearing an
air OF placid conceit, were now white
and drawn. His manner toward Hart
ford was no longer supercilious. All
his carefully constructed attitude of
dignity had vanished.
you've been In this part of the
country longer than l have, Hartford"
said he. 81 want your advice as a.
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 l made a slight error. l have been
doing a large business, you know,
Hartford-a very large businessman
1t was inevitable that l should make
a mistake occasionally. 1t seems that
some INSCRIPTIONS persons have taken
advantage of this purely technical slip
and have jumped Bushy's CLAIM, and
he Is very much exercised iSout it."
81 should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed.
Eyes," repeated Darlington, The is
much exercised and quite unreason-
obAS eOOat ~ ~ (all0 xntO ILL.,
office a few moments ago and demand
ed an explanation. OF course 1 couldn't
tell him anything except that 1t was
just a mistake such as any man might
make, and he said 1 was lying to him.
He said l was too smart to make a
fool break like that and that l 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 l could, but it didn't bulge
him. He said he didn't see that 1t
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er l 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 Dos%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
tie Gilt Gulch bar by one."
It is significant Of Hartford's broad
and tolerant temperament that he did
no. remind harrington that he had
prsgiously predicted such a catastro-
pie as mad now befallen. Neverthe=
less a slight glimmer of amusement
stole across his face.
$50 you want my advice, do your"
he asked.
al should appreciate it very much"
said harrington.
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 l 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 better than
to love me, as she does you, I'd go east
on the half past 2 train, and | 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
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 al invitation, won't you?
1t was quite unintentional. I've been
so busy
"Oh," Hartford broke in, with a dep
recatory wave of his arm. you need
not apologize. It's just n of those
little mistakes a busy man is bound to
make every now and then. | haven't
Busby's disposition. I'll forgive you"
Then Hartford looked at his watch
and found that 1t 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
2:30. 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 a note for her
with the station master, telling her to
- I.aI~ - Noloroda Cnripnc and unIl'l