Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-08-16

tograph of the oil gusher. as 1t hung
framed in the coIonel's ONCE, with the
huge spout of oil playing over the
countryside. WHAT he saw was a tiny
oozing dribb1e, and an armed man,
pacing beside it. rifle in hand.
Looks good, don't it?" sneered the
man. Read these"
The most cursory survey Of the
papers and letters flung down on the
table showed Ormsby that his suspi-
cions were more than justified A
lengthy perusal convinced him that
the mans charges were entirely true
A letter signed with Wares name.
and in his inimitable writing, disclosed
the fact that the whole scheme was q
trick on a confiding public, to rake in
thousands And when Ormsby put
down the papers and stared haggard-
ly at the fellow he knew that his cas-
tie in the air lay ruined upon the
ground.
Ten minutes later he had begun the
most impassioned article that he had
ever written. He denounced Alpaca
oil as a fraud, he showed up Colonel
Ware as an unmitigated scoundrel.
Each word might have been written
with his hearts blood, for each
seemed to place a mile between Mil
dred and himself. When he had end
ed they might have been separated
by illinitable space
He finished the editorial, sent
proof by the boy to Manton, instruct
ing his subordinate to have the article
set as soon as Manton's formal &C
acknowledgement came over the wire.
o>lI I'll
after hours of agonized wakefulness-
When he awoke he sat up in bed.
wondering why his head ached and all
his life seemed hopeless. Then he be-
gan to remember. The news must
have become general property long
ago. Doubtless a panic reigned on the
Street. He pictured chaos in hun
dred homes, the colonel's fury, Mil
| dred's tears. Then, putting on his
| dressing gown, he telephoned his Of
| fee.
Hello, Blake" he called to his as
sistant, what price is Alpaca oil this
| morning?"
Its being quoted at 49," answered
Blake without hesitation.
What" shouted Ormsby. What
about that editorial in the paper?"
There's nothing about Alpaca oil
on our editorial page" said Blake.
Then those scoundrels have omit
| ted to print it." shouted Ormsby, be-
side himself.
| "Just a minute, please" said the
| man at the other end. Here's MI.
| Manton. He wants to talk to you"
| A moment later the owners voice
came over the wires.
| Hello, Ormsby," he said. Say,
| what in thunder did you mean by that
piece about Alpaca oil? I caught it
| just as was going to bed and stopped
it just in time. Why, that's the big
| gest proposition that's listed today.
It'll touch $50 before the week is out .
| You must be mistaken. Mr.. Man
ton," said Ormsby. II have positive
| information that-but wait! I'll be
down in an hour. Can you wait for
me?"
| Come up to my house." said Man
| ton CURLY. and hung up the receiver
Ormsby, smarting and indignant
dressed himself hurriedly and snatched
few mouthfuls of breakfast; then
he took street car up to Manton's
house at Darlington Park, a fashion
able residential district. He arrived
Tuning with indignation. He was
shown into Manton's study-to find
not only Manton but Colonel Ware
and Mildred. The colonel was looking
sour and Mildred respondent.
"Ah, Mr.. Ormsby," said Manton
you nearly got us into fine scrape
The Observer has never made so bad
a break as you seemed bent upon max
ing for us last night Lord, If
hadn't caught that editorial of yours
in timei 1 placed such trust in you
Ormsby, that I've passed everything
you've written automatically fol
weeks. But 1 happen to be interested
in Alpaca oil and"
Then I'll write you my resignation
SIR said Ormsby.
We'll, it isn't as bad as that" grum
bled the owner. But
Colonel Ware took two or three
strides up and down the room. He
looked at Mildred, whose lips were
trembling; then all at once he stopped
and thumped his fist down on the
table.
"Manton," he said, I'm pretty
tough, but can't stand for this. I'm
the culprit. 1 meant to tell you, bu
1 didn't know how you'd take it. Tina
boy isn't to blame"
What do you mean, Colonel?" in
quired Manton stifiy.
You remember George-shabb,
little fellow with lisp who used tt
spy on the Knack properties? Well