Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-02-09

it's pluck and courage in taking hold
enough what inspired these critical OBJ
servations. 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 sober life. as he did.
Feeling that he had been insulted.
Darlington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to a
curt How are you?' accompanied by
barely perceptible nod when they
CHANGED to meet. 1t was with 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 we'll chisel.
ed features. custcmarily wearing al
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'ye been in this part of the
country longer than have, Hartford"
said he. Il want your advice as a
a friend. you know"
Hartford nodded and withdrew bis
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succinctly. whats
the row."
why, you see,'' said Darlington, lit
seems that in filing the papers for Jim
Busby Oh that last mining claim of
his made !; slight error. have been
doing u large business. you know,
Hartford-a very large business-and
it was inevitable that l should make
mistake occasionally. 1t seems that
some INSCRIPTIONS persons have taken
advantage OF this purely technical slip
and have jumped Busby's claim, and
he 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 l 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 it
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er | was a fool or knave. because
either way I 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 catastro-
phe as had now befallen. Neverthe-
less a 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 l couldn't shoot any better
than you can, and I had comfortable
little sum saved. as you have, and
there were pretty girl in New Eng
land who didn't know any better than
to love me. rs she does you, I'd 60 east
on the half past train. aud wouldn't
hurry back
But the trouble u.s." harrington ex-
planned. "Susie>-Miss Cutler, that is
will be here on the train that gets in
at $50. 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 a 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
2:3O. If it isn't. walk over to Sand
| City and take the next one there
But about SUSIE" harrington re-
monstrated.
"Pshaw!" growled Hartford. 'That's
easy enough. Leave note for her
with the station master. telling her to
go back to Colorado Springs and you'll
meet her there. If you don't have time
to write note. have the station mas
| ter tell her you've been called away on
life and death matter and that She
to go to the hotel and wait until you
send her word. Don't you worry about
the girl. She'll prefer slightly de-
layed wedding to an expedited funeral.
Hurry up now. You've just about time
to make it."
AS he slipped down the main street
| Of Gilt Gulch on his way to the sta