The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1911-03-17

say, the job Is yours. will you split
even, considering that the work If
all done?"
mo split" roared the other Justify.
"And by what hook or crook did you
get next to this and come here to
beat me out?"
"Mrs. Collins hired me-"
"You lie! Mr.. Collins hired me-"
The strong jaw of the youth showed
itself out. 81 don't allow people to
tell me I lie"
There was q cold chill to the words
that brought a sense Of the earnest
ness Of the other to the last arrival.
"Well, I'll say / don't know any
thing about that" he compromised;
but I do know that I collect for this
and don't dtyvy g blamed cent,
MI: Fresh. If the missus put you on
e. FL ssa. then It. up to the "''''s to
Unseen by either, a slim young fell
low in a neat business suit had
stopped to hear the argument.
whats the matter here?" he asked
authoritatively. He turned to the
scrubby mustache. "Has some n
disputed your job, Nankins?"
The one addressed whirled, as on a
pivot. "Ah! Mr.. Collins!" he tri-
umphed. Eyes, there's a young
swell in that tree who claims to have
been put on the work by your wife,"
Forester was now completed hid.
den in a cluster of leaves.
Come down." ordered Collins, push
ing a straw hat back from his fore
head. Come down. here, you man
up there, and we'll talk it over"
"Ill not" came grufay from the
boughs. 'IIl stick up here until the
lady comes. I'm on the Job now, and
I intend to stay on"
From Forrester's point of conceal
ment, he could not see, but the frou-
frou of approaching skirts reached
his ears distinctly.
whats the trouble, Tom?" ques-
toned a laughing voice. "You have
liz cApOCIOAL 1OOh vi q ouSSSSGidA
hunter who has freed valuable game"
Forester recognized the voice as
that of Mrs. Collins.
I've freed something" growled her
husband. "Here I've hired a man
to prune these trees-a professional
| forester, and some one else has beat
him to the job. Said ONE one else
also refuses to come down and arbi-
trate."
How absurd" modulated another
voice-one richer, deeper and, withal,
younger than that of Mrs. Collins. A
little trill of laughter came up to the
youth in the trees.
CPL come down now" he called,
still assuming the gruff tone.
And he did.
"You!." came in surprise from a
very petite young person.
Gwen l." assured the disheveled
young man, meeting the scrubby
mustached ones baleful glare with
a bland smile. Before we begin the
peace treaty l wish to assure this
probably very efficient workman that
l have no intention Of collecting for
his job"
The professional cast a keen eye
over the shipped limb and the trees
above them.
"Hum!" he said grudgingly. "Not
a bad job at that, young un."
"But-" began. Mrs. Collins.
"You can't deny IT,. assured For.
roster. "You are responsible"
"But-but l expected the forester,
and Tom called me up and told me
to wait for"
Lee Forester" interrupted the
male tollins. "Lee Forester, my
dear, not the forester. MI. Forester
is your sisters most sedate and most
engaged young mansher fance. He
and Florence came in from Fairtown
on the morning train. You evidently
ran across Flo as she was coming
from that subtle trousseau. excursion,
but before that you"
Put a young millionaire to work
mutilating trees!" gasped Mrs. Col.
Inns. "Well I never!!"
Miss Florence Moreland. who had
been separated from Forester for the
better part of three hours. gazed ad.
miringly at the youth.