Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-06
CHAPTER xI.-Continued.)

AS Tor George, ne QAQ Doou N0ly
quiet since the night of his encounter
with Marsh, and he spent much OF MS
time by himself. This was relief to
Boyd until he happened several times
to meet the big fellow in strange places
at unexpected hours, surprising IN MS
eyes a look of expectant watchfulness,
the meaning of which at first puzzled
him. It took but little observation,
however, to learn that the fisherman
spent his days in hotel lobbies, always
walking about Through the crowd, and
that by night he patrolled the theater
district, Sinking about as If to avoid
observation. Emerson finally realized
with shock that George was in search
of his enemy; but no amount Of argu-
ment could alter the fellows mind, and
he continued to hunt with the, silence
of lone wolf. What the result OF his
meeting Marsh would be Boyd hesi-
tated to think, but neither George nor
he discovered any trace OF that gen.
tleman.
These various cares, added to the
consequences of his inability to IL
nance the cannery project, had re-
duced Emerson to state bordering
upon collapse. Bait had entered his
room that morning for his daily report
of progress, and after his partners
confession Of failure had fetched a
deep sigh.
"Well, it's tough after all we've went
through he said. Then, after a pause:
'sCherry will be broken-hearted.'
81 hadn't thought of her. confessed
the other. ;,
"You see, it's her last chance, too. "
"She told me so. I'm sorry | brought
you all these thousands of miles on a
Wild-goo chase, but"
81 don't care for myself. I'll get
back somehow and live in the brush,
like used to, and some day I'll get
my chance. But she's woman, ana
she can't fight Marsh like can"
"Just who or what is she?' Boyd
inquired, curiously, glad of anything
to divert his thoughts from their
present channel.
"she's just big-hearted girl, and
the only person, red, white or yellow,
who gave me kind word or bite TO
eat till you came along. That's all l
know about her. I'd have gone crazy
only for her" The big man ground his
teeth as the memory of his injuries
came ,uppermost.
Before Boyd could follow the sub
iect further, Alton Clyde strolled IN
upon them, arrayed immacnlateiy'
with gloves, tie, spats, and derby 10
match, a striped waistcoat and gold
headed walking stick.
"Salutations, Acknowledgement" ne
began. II just ran in to settle the de-
tails of our trip. Iwant my tailor TO
get busy on <my wardrobe tomorrow"
Boyd shook his head. :.
9 ."Ain't going to be no wardrobe"
said Bait
"Why? Has something happened to
scare the fish,"
Il can't raise the money Emerson
confessed. I,
"still shy that twenty-five thou?"
questioned the clubman.
Eyes! I'm done"
''That's shame! | had some ripping
clothes planned-English whip-cord--
"That stuff won't rip" George de-
clared. But overalls is plenty good.
Clyde tapped the narrow points OF
his shoes with his walking-stick,
frowning in meditation. I'm all IN,
and so are the rest of the fellows. BY
Jove, this will be disappointment to
Mildred Have you told herr"
y ssNo. She doesn't know anything
about the plan, and ! didn't want TO
tell her until l had the money. Now |
can 90 to her and acknowledge an
other failure" \,
'I'm terribly disappointed, said
CLYDE. There was a moments silence;
then he went to the telephone and
called the hotel office: Get me a cab
at once-Mr. Clyde. I'll be right down
Turning to the others, he remarked:
'Tll see what can do; but as pro-
moter, I'm joke. However, the trip
will do me good, and I'm hungry for
the fray; the smell Of battle is in my
nostrils, and | am champing at my bit.
Wool! Leave it to me-" He smote the
air with his slender cane, and made
for the door with an appearance CT
fierce determination upon his color.
less face. you'll hear from me in the
morning. So long!"
His martial air amused the two, but
Boyd soon dismissed him from his
mind and spent that evening in such
moody silence that. in desperation,
Big George forsook him and sought
out the manicure parlor Fraser was
busted on some enterprise of his
own
The thought of Alton Clyde's rails
ing twenty-five thousand dollars where
he had failed, was ridiculous to Elmer
son. He was utterly astounded when
that radiantly attired youth strolled
into his room on the following morn
ing and tossed a thick roll of bills
upon the table, saying, carelessly:
There it is; count it,
"What?"
ct w ent y-five ne-thousand-d dollar
notes. Anyhow, think there are
twenty-five of them, but I'm not sure.
I counted them twice; once made
twenty-four and the next time twenty.
six, but had my gloves on; SO I
struck an average, and took the pay.
ing teller's word for it,
Emerson leaped to his feet, staring
at the dandy as if not comprehending
this sudden turn of fortune.
did you rustic this money without
any help?'' he demanded.
"Abso-blooming-lutely!"
sTc If yo,Ir own 2"