The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-04-21

He was surprised that the girl shoult
ask this favor Of him. He had toll
her of his race and she knew wha,
the delay meant.
Leaving the girl at the corner o.
the station and In charge Of his bag
gage. he rushed hastily toward thu
telegraph Office. "Is there . telegram
here for" he gasped: and then
I"Wsll. Ill be blessed II I haven't for
gotten to ask her name" With {
icurious mingling Of emotions-regre1
at the further delay. and Joy in the
knowledge that no would shortly know
who she was. he returned to the cor
'ner. There sat his grips-alone! She
was gone!
A carriage was Just drawing away
from the spot. The window was
thrown quickly open. "Good.by-my
friend" hoated mockingly back to
him. A fluffy blonde head was drawn
hurriedly in-but not before It was
recognized by the betrayed traveller.
Cad" he murmured disgustedly.
talk about Mr.. Easy Mary" Sudden.
ly. and with blighting effect, the whole
scheme lay bare before him. She
was the representative Of Meek &
Metz. who would land the order and
all future business Of the Square Deal
store for her house. Dobson had only
been a pawn in the game. and Frone's
eyes had concentrated on him instead
Of the queen.
I'm not done yst." no growled. as q
parking cab drew to the curb in re-
spouse to his raised hand. "Ths
Square Deal store" no said, land five
dollars above fare II there's froth on
your horses lips when We arrive" A
careless toss Of the cases, and they
we're of.
As Prone breathlessly advanced
toward the private ONCE of old Col.
Dane. the owner and buyer of the
Square Deal store. Dobson was ma.
king leisurely exit. IA little late.
aren't you" he sneered, az the hurry.
Ing man passed him. Prone ignored
him.
"Col. Dane is busy" explained tho
ONCE boy, and seated the Directing
drummer in the anteroom.
But must see him at once-I have
an engagement" protested Prone.
The youth eyed him with small
favor. well. yer don't see him at
once" he vociferated. "Dere's a lady
before yer. See? An she makes
more of hit wild de boss dan youse
ever will" He seated himself grump-
lily in chair and produced a capt..
waiting romance bound in lurid covers.
Frone groaned. Nothing but the
natural instinct of the fighting road.
ster had kept him in the race after
1t had been brought to him that his
defeat was foregone conclusion, and
now that he had leisure to think it
over, 1t occurred to him that an in.
conspicuous retreat was in order. He
arose. just as the door of the inner
Office opened and the fair one of tho
train made her appearance. She
beamed at Frone with touch of
mischief in her eyes. nodded slightly.
and was gone. Frone sighed.
Gimme yer card" groaned the wait
Ing boy. and plodded into the august
presence. He returned with a scant
phrase to the effect that Frone could
enter. and sunk again into the absorb.
ing novel.
Take chair" greeted Col. Dane.
He was an impressive figure. with a
gray imperial dotting strong chin.
and wealth of long white hair sweep.
ing broad shoulders. He was original.
~ of the west-of an old school,
Keen eyes surveyed Prone. "You
are aware. of course" began the mer-
chant, chat the order for which you
have come was to have been given to
the first man who reached me, either
from your firm. or the house of Meek
& Metz"
"Yes. sir" murmured Prone, his
arguments falling before the strong
personality Of the man. From beneath
bushy brows the old colonel surveyed
him.
WELL" came crisply. do you know
thst the Meek-Metz man has been
here?"
Il thought" began Prone.
"You thought" interrupted Dane.
that polite attentions to strange
women would land our trade, pre-
sumo" The old man spoke caustio-
ally.
I'll"
"And SO you allowed Dobson to
reach US first?"
"Dobson?" INTERCEPTED Frone, his
thoughts on the girl.
yes. Dobson." growled the mer.
chant. "lf the woman in the case
wasn't my daughter, and II she
hadn't interceded with an indulgent
old father who denies her nothing
even business secrets-your cake
would be dough. young man. AS 1t is,
] want you to understand that don't
approve Of your actions at all. By
rights you should have forfeited our
business" There was a belieing
twinkle In the old mans eyes. How.
ever." he continued. Il can't stop to