Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-05-31

was badly frightened. His eyes. which
ordinarily regarded those about him
with an air of easy liberation. were
wide with terror. and his we'll chisel.
ed features. customarily wearing an
air Of placid conceit. We're 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. II 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?''
'Why, you see." said Darlington, lit
seems that in filing the papers for Jim
Busby on that last mining claim Of
his l made a slight error. | have been
doing large business. you know.
Hartford-a very large business-and
a 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,"
II should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed.
Yes" repeated harrington. "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 it was
just n 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 l 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 l could, but 1t didn't bulge
him. He said he didn't see that it
made much difference, anyhow. wheth-
er I was fool or 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 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 Darlington that he had
previously predicted such catastro-
phe as had now befallen. Neverthe-
Ios, - e1Rrbk .rlav,,p mar ~ o,nuSo,nopt
stole across his face.
80 you want my advice, do y0u?"
he asked.
II should appreciate it very much"
said Darlington.
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 comfortable
little sum saved. as you have. and
there were 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" Darlington ex-
planned. "Susie-Miss Cutler. that is
will he here on the train that gets in
Mt $50. The trains pass on the first
siding out. you know. The fact is we
are to be married day after tomorrow
ut noon. You'll pardon my emitting
to send you an invitation, won't you?
1t was quite unintentiOnal. I've been
so busy
.'Oh." Hartford broke in. with dep
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. III 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-
"
easy enough. Leave note for her
with the station master. telling her to
60 back to Colorado Springs and you'll
meet her there. Ii 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 slightly de-
layed wedding to an expedited funeral.
Hurry up DOW. You've just about time
to make 1t"
As he slipped down the main street
Of Gilt Gulch OH his way to the sta
ton harrington caught glimpse of
Jim Rusby's gaunt profile as he stood
at the bar of the jolly Dog. his back
toward the entrance. Barrington's In
dolent heart rejoiced as he reflected
that the ten mile walk to Sand City
would now be unnecessary. 1t was
Just twenty-eight minutes past when
be reached the station. He gave the
necessary instructions concerning Su-
sic to the station master aud rushed
out upon the platform. But the train
which made up at Gilt Gulch was not
yet ready to depart. A freight car had
left the rails. blocking the track. Five.
ten. fifteen minutes passed. and still
the obstruction retnntned. harrington
grew uneasy. Jim Busby might at any
deem that he had inbibed a
quantity of liquor commensurate With
his contemplated task and begin to
search for him. But ut the end OF
lvontv D,ip,,toS ~ his grant rNlipf the |