Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-02-17

enough what inspired these critical OBJ
servations. Hartford was Jealous OF
the prosperity which Darlington had
so rapidly achieved. Let him stop
caviling, said the yirtuous Darlington
10 himself. and seek success 10y lead
ing sober life, as he did
Feeling that he had been insulted.
harrington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to a
curt How are your" accompanied by
barely perceptible nod when they
CHANGED to meet. 1t was with good
deal of surprise. therefore, that Hart
ford. CHANGING up from hls rather di-
lapidated desk as he heard the door
open, perceived Darlington 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 have, Hartford
said he. 81 want your advice as "a
friend, you know
Hartford nodded aud withdrew his
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succinctly. whats
the row.
"Why, you Sec" said Darlington, lit
seems that in filing the papers for Jim
BuSby on that last mining claim OF
his | made a slight error | have been
doing a large business, you know,
Hartford-a very large business and
it was inevitable that | 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,"
81 should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed
YES, repeated Darlington, "he is
much exercised and quite unreason-
y
Office n few moments ago and demand
ed an explanation. OF course l couldn't
tell him anything except that it was
just mistake such as any man might
make, and he said / was lying to him
He said | was too smart to make n
3ol break like that and that | was in
with the gang that were trying TO do
him out Of claim that would have
made him rich. / argued with him
the best | 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 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
few drinks to put him i'm 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 Darlington that he had
previously predicted such catastro-
phe rs had now befallen. Neverthe-
less slight glimmer of amusement
stole across his face.
80 YOU want my advice, do you:'
he asked
Il should appreciate it very much"
said Darlington
wei, YOU shall have H." 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 so east
on the half past train. and | wouldn't
hurry back"
But the trouble is Darlington cS-
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
ooh Hartford broke in, with Il dep
recatory wave of his arm, you need
not apologize. It's just one of those
little mistakes a 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 .
You'll have to move lively, my
boy" he said. Keep an eye open for
jim. and if The coast is clear take the
go If it isn't. walk over TO sand
City and take the next one there
But about SUSIE" Darlington 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