Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-16

CAMILLA and Bent!' he muttered I'm glad Teffs
not here It's been getting his nerves. l hope
if Bent sells out he'll hunt field There are too
few women around here-too few like Camilla. | Won
der if she really cares? l wonder
He stopped, his eyes contracted to pinpoints. The
pair the horses had halted, and the man had drawn
close to his companion leaning forward Was he
fixing her saddle? An unconscious exclamation came
from Berkely's lips.
Hes got his nerve-right in plain view of the town
too! What"
The horse of the girl suddenly drew ahead and came
galloping down through the scrub oak the follow
ing.
Berkely smiled 1.-THE race isn't always to the swift,
Cort Bent!' he muttered.
At the head of the street he Miss Irwin's horse
turn in at the livery stable where she kept it; but
Cortland Bents straight an easy canter and
halted at Berkely's door.
"IsWray here?" asked Bent
mo; but he told me to ask you to wait. Won't you
come in?"
@Just tell him I'll be in in the morning"
"Jeff may go to Denver tomorrow" said Larry; @but
of course there's no hurry"
Bent took out silver cigarette and offered it
Berkely "See here Larry, he said, "what the deuce
do you fellows want with the Lone Tree? Are you going
to work it, you getting it for else? Of
course it's of my business; but I'd like to know
just"
"Oh I'm not in this; this is Jeffs deal. don't know
much about it; but l think he'd probably work it for
awhile"
Together they walked into the Office and Berkely
spread papers the desk Jeff told me to
draw these up. l think you'll find everything properly
stated"
Bent nodded "Humph He feels pretty certain III
sign, doesn't he?"
Berkely stood beside him smoking and leaning over
his shoulder but didn't reply
Bent laughed. @Wel, it's all cut and dried. Seems
pity to have put you to so much trouble, Larry. l
haven't made up my mind. They say twice as much
guess it's true If it wasn't for Jeff Wray in this DEAL
I'd sign that paper in minute; but I've always had
idea that some day he'd make his pile and don't
relish the idea of his making He's visionary,
fanatic the gold in these mountains; but Fortune
has way of favorng the fool"
Sounds though you might be talking about me-"
said voice from the doorway where Jeff stood smiling,
his broad figure completely blocking the entrance.
RENT turned, confused, but recovering himself with
short laugh. ayes, was, he replied slowly. "I've
put twenty thousand dollars in that hole in the rocks
and hate to leave it."
Jeff Wray wiped his brow, went to the cooler, drew
glass of water, and slowly drank it. well my friend"
he said carelessly between swallows there's still time
to back down. You're not committed to anything
Neither am l. Suit yourself. I'm going to get mine
so; but I'm not particular which The Daisy
looks good to but they want too much for it. The
terms your Lone Tree just about suited me-thatS
all It's not big proposition. 1t might pan thirty
forty to the ton; but there's not much in that-not
away up there. Take my offer or leave it, Bent l
don't give cuss" He tossed his hat on the chair took
off his coat and opened the door of the back office
Larry" he added, "you needn't bother to stay I've
got writing to do III lock up when go'
If Nlulrennan had been present, he would have lost
his in sheer admiration sheer dsmay Berkely
remembered that bluff later when he learned how much
had depended its success But it worked beautifully
"Oh WE'LL said Bent peevishly, "lets get it over.
LII sign. Are you ready to make settlement"
Chapter III. Camilla