Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-09
Silver ~; HoRDE
By REX BEACH.

Copyright, 1909, BY Harper 8 Brothers

uC enterprise WHICH OIL hOui NSN
had seemed SO certain of success, the
enterprise which he had fathered at
such cost of labor and suffering, now
seemed entirely hopeless. The futllity
of trying to oppose these men,
equipped as they were with limltless
means and experience, struck MIN
with such force as to make him almost
physically faint and sick. Even had
his canning plant been open and run
ming, he knew that they would never
take him In Wayne Wayland's con-
sistent attitude toward him showed
that plainly enough. And with moth
ing more tangible to offer than half
born dream, they would laugh him to
scorn. Furthermore, they had pro-
claimed their determination to choke
all rivalry.
A sort of panic seized Boyd. If his
present scheme fell through, what
else could he do? Whittier could he
turn, even for his own livelihood, ex-
cept back to the hateful Isolation OF a
miners life. That would mean other
years as black as those just ended.
There had been time when he could
boldly have taken the bit in his teeth
and forced Mr.. Wayland to reckon
with him, but since his return Mildred
herself had withdrawn her consent to
q marriage that would mean 1mme-
date separation from the life that she
loved. That course, therefore, was
closed to him. If ever he was to win
her, he must play this game OF oes-
perate chances to the end.
The announcement Of dinner inter
rupted his dismayed reflections, and
he walked out in company with MI.
Wayland, who linked arms with him
as II to afford Willis Marsh every adj
vantage, feeting though 1t might
prove.
"He is wonderful fellow" the old
gentleman observed, soto voce, IN
dicating Marsh lone of the keenest
business men ever met
"Yes?'
Indeed, he is. He is a money
maker, too; his associates swear by
him. If l were you, my boy, Would
study him; he is good man to 1ml-
tate"
At the dinner table the talk at first
was general, and Of a character ap-
propriate for the hour, but Miss way
land, oddly enough, seemed bent upon
leading the discussion back into Its
former course, and displayed such an
unusual thirst for information regard
Ing the North American Packers asso-
citation that her father was moved to
remark upon 1t.
"What in the world has come over
YOU. Mildred?' he said "You never
cared to hear about my doings before"
"Please don't discourage me-" she
urged. II am really in earnest; !
should like to know all about this new
trust Of yours. Perhaps my little uni
verse is growing bit tiresome to me"
"Miss Mildred is truly your daugh-
ter" Marsh observed, admirlngly.
"But fear the matter doesn't interest
Mr.. Emerson?"
ooh, indeed it does" Mildred
smilingly responded. Doesn't IT,
Boyd?"
He flushed uncomfortably as he
acquiesced.
"Now. please tell me more about it,
the girl went on. "You know you are
both full of the thing, and there are
only we four, so let's be natural; am
dreadfully tried Of being conven-
tional."
"Tut. TUT" exclaimed her father.
"That comes of association with these
untamed westerners." Yet he plainly
showed that he was f1attered by her
UNEXPECTED enthusiasm and more than
ready to humor her.
Both men, in truth, were jubilant,
and so thoroughly in tune with the
subject which had obsessed them
these past months that it took little
urging to set them talking in harmony
with the girls wishes. Readily &C
cepting the cue of informality, they
grew communicative, and told Of the
troubles they had encountered In
launching the gigantic combination,
joking over the obstacles that mad
threatened to wreck 1t, and compl1-
menting each other upon their per-
sistence and sagacity.
Meanwhile, Emerson's discomfort
steadily increased. He wondered II
this we're deliberate effort on Mil
dred's part, or if she really had any
idea of what bearing it all had upon
his plans The further it went, how
ever, the IuOIS ClSIIly AS pSiCSAFSSt
the formidable nature of the new bar
rier between himself and Mildred
which her father had unwittingly
raised.
so far it has been all hard work"
Wayne Wayland at length announced,
"but in the future proposed to derive
some pleasure from this affair. am
tired cut. For long time have been
planning trip somewhere, and now
think shall make a tour Of inspec-
ton in the spring and visit the various
holdings Of the North American
Packers association. In that way |
can combine recreation and business.
'But you detest travel as much as
I do" said Mildred.
"This would be entirely different
from ordinary travel The first vice
president has his yacht on the Pacific
coast, and offers her to the board OF
directors for a summers cruise"
"How far will you go?" questioned
Boyd.
"Clear up to Mr.. Marsh's station"
"Kalvik?"
Eyes; that is the plan" Marsh