The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-12-31
CHAPTER vil-contInued.

Brand sent the car ahead at faster
clip. Mrs. Collins. seated in the rear
of the deep tonneau, and occupied
chiefly In retaining possession of her
ponderous headpiece, had no oppor.
tunity to join in or even hear the con-
Versatlon OF the two in front. The
millionaire glanced back and smiled
There was a clear stretch OF road
ahead. He turned to Jane.
Now. Mrs. Reynolds" he began,
let's get down to business. You heard
our talk about the dam and the
money!"
Every word OF IT,"
And you believe everything l said
because it's true, isn't it,"
Il know it's true"
Good. Here's the idea. We've got
TO make Bob take this money. Your
part OF the Job is to bring him to his
senses and my part OF It is to hand
over the cash. Now, there's no hurry.
Its going TO take long time to build
this dam. You've got six weeks be-
fore we deliver the first order. II
you're as smart as Mrs. Brand and as
sensible as think you are, you'll move
out OF that little bungalow back there
before the six weeks are over All
you have to do is to guide him-grad-
ually, but firmly. And / will help you.
II you say the word, we'll form a little
company right here, and as a working
member OF the company you will be
entitled to some remuneration. This
is merely a fair business view OF It.
while my chief motive in coming to
Bob was to help him out Of the rut.
I'm not trying to conceal the fact that
his gain is also my company's gain. II
you become party to this plan to
make him listen to reason, you are en-
titled to some reward whether we are
successful or not, and so, Mrs. Rey-
nolds, I'm going to sort O. put you on
the payroll Wen give Bob a little
glimpse OF few comforts without let
ting him know anything about 1t.
Jane laughed, but she blushed in
spite Of herself. Brands words we're
very clear and the prospects they pre-
saged very alluring. Inwardly. how
ever, she had grave doubts about the
Ipropriety OF accepting money from a
man who was almost a stranger. even
~ Il were for services rendered. But
she made no avowal OF refusal. The
speeding auto, the immediate exhilara-
1tion, the thought OF qualification of a
few desires and escape from her impe-
cunious plight stirred up the bacteria
OF self-indulgence that had awakened
and spread poison throughout the
whole structure OF her character.
Brand watched her; he read the men
tai struggle and he struck home.
why, If you think 1t isn't right for
you to accept any reward, just regard
It in the nature Of an advance. We
are sure to succeed and then when you
have the forty thousand, you can reim-
burse me, II you want, for the few ia.
yors extended now. Wen have that
understanding.
Forty thousand dollars! Forty thou
sand dollars! Forty thousand. The
figures ran in wild frolic through her
brain and danced before her eyes. The
bill boards, as they flashed past, were
emblazoned with them. She looked
ahead and rows OF figures we're
stretched across the road, The car ran
through them and over them, but
everywhere they sprang up and leered
and teckoned. Forty thousand dol
lars And she hadn't had forty dollars
OF her own in six months. Well. she
wasn't going to be a fool any longer
Brand knew the way. His way would
be her way. She turned to him
quickly.
"I1l do anything that you think best
to make Bob understand" she said.
'Finel" he exclaimed. Now ! car
see the battle won"
They rode on in silence for severa
lsninutes. At length Jane said:
But ! don't feel entirely comfort
able about It yet. I'm even worrying
about this auto ride-the fact thai
I'm doing something without Bob'i
knowledge. He is SO good TO me anC
80 willing to do everything he can. o.
thinks he can, that occasionally fee
that | ought to be content; content u
share whatever he does. or has. o.
iplans. But. then. just can't that
oil. II wasn't sure that | was work
ing for him. helping him where h
won't help himself. would despis
ssyssif But I Am salping him.