Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-12-24

no. it's further on-'Forest Lodge
10 the natural center for parties view
Ing the wondrous wilds' That should
grip them, Ell? Experienced guides
with pack and saddle animals from
the famous Star atajo,' we can't call
them mules, OF course, will escort par
ties visiting the sceneries and hunt.
ing grounds of the Coast Range, the
Cariboo, the Olnenica. the Babine. and
the Cassiar.' That ought to splash, 50
Billy had warned me of bad char
acters settled on the lands toward
Jesse's ranch. Were these Brooke's
experienced guides2"
Naturally" Brooke folded his pros
pectus. "the sporting trade had TO be
closed right down before the tourist
connection took a hold. Millionaire
sportsmen out to spend their dollars.
expect to find things just so. They
want recherche meals, and unique dec
orations, real champagne wine. and
everything imported even when it's
made on the spot. They don't make
no hurroar over losing a few thou
sand at cards. but they just amt going
20 stand seeing Polly laying around
drunk on the barroom floor. / tell
you when they comes / amt going to
have Polly around my place. That's
straight. She'll get her marching or
ders P. d. O."
So Polly was next for betrayal.
Yes" Brooke became very con
fidential What l require at Forest
Lodge is real society hostess, lady.
Yes. that's what's the matter-a lady
Now that's what I come about. Ever
since | seen you, Mrs, mean madam,
l mean"
He became quite difident. leaving
the doorway, leaning over the coun-
ter.
Would you" he began, would
you be prepared, ma'am. to-"
by way was clear. lad | ran.
Billy had held these last few weeks
that Polly's funds were gone, that she
was penniless. He begged me to let
him destroy the great sign-board
across the road to Spite House. Fail
ure to renew that would indeed be
conclusive proof of the woman's
penury, but the meanness of such
test reyolted me. for one does not
strike fallen adversary.
Were there any funds to promote
black pines and mosquitoes as an at
traction to milIionaires? Brooke in
his folly had divulged that foolish
scheme. sufficient to complete the ruin
OF poor wretched woman, before he
abandoned her interests to seek his
own. Was it true? l went straight
to Captain Taylor.
Yes, Kate" he chuckled, "the muir
der's out at last. You see I'm not ex.
actly prosperous, and my retired pay
is drop in my bucket of debts And
then our good friend Polly invested all
her wealth in buying UP the mortgage
on this ranch"
But why?"
For fun. For the pleasure Of turn
ing me out. She kindly granted me
permission to sleep in that old barrel
which used to belong to my fox. but
then you see really couldn't be I'M
der any obligations to the lady"
Did you pay off the mortgage?"
: Il did. So Polly strums rag-tisue
tunes on my piano, Brooke wears my
early Victorian frock coat, they serve
their beans and bacon with my family
plate. the gentleman sports my crest,
the lady has my dear mothers dia-
monds which are really paste My
dear. they're county society-you real
ly must call and leave cards"
But the portraits!"
They stared at me so rudely that
burnt them Ancestors ought TO re-
member they're dead. and they'd rath-
er be burned, too, than be claimed as
Polly's aunts."
And the Star Pack-train?'
"A half-interest. my dear, a half
interest, that's all
SO you're in partnership"
why, no. Fact is, old Pete has
been working thirty-five years. with
his faithful eyes shining behind that
hair-it's silver now, Ell? Well,
couldn't leave him in the lurch And
there's the Hudson's Bay to consider,
with forts up north depending on us
for supplies. And l suppose. when |
come to think of it, I'm rather proud
Of the outfit. So, in my sentimental
way, made a deed by which Pete is
owner, with a halfinterest.
while Polly is sleeping partner with
no right to interfere"
You've told Peter"
mo. suppose I've got to own
ap?"
You don't want Pete to be cheated
by his partners"
You're right. Just open my desk
and look inside. It's the paper on
top
| found and read the deed.
You've read It. of course" | said.
at was read to me by the lawyer
chap. Isn't il all right"
"Oh, yes," / managed to say, its |
all right-such funny legal jargon.
| looked at the names OF the wit. |
nesses. Cultns McTavish and Low.
lived Joe, the worst characters in our
district The document read to the
Did blind man had been no doubt de-
stroyed. The deed actually signed |
made Polly sole owner OF the famous
pack-train. My friend had been |
cheated
CTo BE CONTINUED
ed of timid and retiring nature. low |
ing dark corners and shady places, |