The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-09-30

the prosperity which Darlington had
so rapidly achieved Let him stop
catiling. said the vlrtuous harrington
TO himself and seek success by lead
ing sober life as he did.
Feeling that he had been insulted,
harrington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford TO Il
curt How are yuu?" accompanied 10y
a barely perceptible nod when they
Glanced TO meet. II was with good
deal of surprise. therefore, that Hart
ford. CHANGING up from his rather di-
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 liberation, 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."
cot Ror
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 business and
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 Busbys claim, and
he is very much exercised about it.
II 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 1t was
just a mistake such as any man might
make, and he said was lying to him.
He said | was too smart to make
fool break like that and that | was in
with the gang that were trying to do
him out of Il claim that would have
made him rich | argued with him
the best could. but 1t 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 | 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 slight glimmer of amusement
stole across his face.
80 you want my advice. do your"
he asked.
81 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 | 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 train. and wouldn't
hurry back"
But the trouble is" 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 your
1t was quite unintentional. I've been
so busy
Out l1ul plChS iAii ''NA - N~f
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. 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
a life and death matter and that she's
to go to the hotel and wait until you
send her word. Don't you worry about
the girl She'll prefer a slightly de-
layed wedding to an expedited funeral.
Hurry up now. You've just about time
TO make it,"
u . laN in ctr