The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-03

easily imagine himself on Fifth ave-
nue..
It was hardly a place to be looked
for in the West, and as Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to a pair
of stuffed chairs he had a vague feel
ing of being in church. Stained4glass
windows above the winding stairways
let in a soft light, and on the tower
ing pillars Of marble were emblazoned
prickly-pears as an emblem OF the
West. From the darkened balconies
above, half-seen women looked down
curiously as they entered, and In the
broad lobby below were gathered the
| prosperous citizens Of the Land.
There were cattlemen, still wearing
their boots and overalls, the better to
attend to their shipping; mining men,
just as they had come from the hills;
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had a nod for Henry Kru-
ger. He was a nan Of mark, as Bud
! could see in a minute; but If he had
! other business with those who hailed
| him he let it pass and took out a rank
brier pipe, which he pulled while Bud
smoked a cigarette. -.
They were sitting together in a
friendly silence when Phil came out Of
the dining room, but as he drew near
the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
who was that old-timer you were
talking TOT" inquired Phil, az he sank
down in the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't it?"
"Um," grunted Bud; reckon it Is.
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining MANI"
That's right"
WELL" exclaimed Phil, what in the
world was he talking to you about?"
"Oh, some kind of a mining DEAL"
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to go
down into Mexico!"
"What'd you tell him?" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly in
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocksl"
HE can keep EN- for all Of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. you know
what I think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was bis proposi-
ton? What did he want you to DOT"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
FERROUS about It Said he wanted a
man he could trust"
well, holy Moses, Budi" cried Phil,
wake upl Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tionf"
mo, he wasn't talking about It. Said
it was a good thing and he'd pay me
well, or let me In on the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico I quit I've
got q plenty"
yes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. well, you're
n Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last You'd
let"
We'll, what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker de1antly. do you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me-. neither!
What you kicking aboutT"
"You might have led him on and
got the scheme, anyway. Maybe
there's a million In it. Come on, let's
60 over and talk to him. I'd take q
chance, If it was good enough"
Jaw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy ~plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go In on 1t. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for us on this side.
Oh, cripes, what's the matter with
you?" ...,
He heaved himself reluctantly up
out Of his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
Mr.. Kruger" he said, as the old
man turned to meet him, I'll make
you acquainted with MI. De Lancey,
my pardner. My names Hooker"
"Glad to know you, Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger, shaking him by the
hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil a rather crusty nod as
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
INF. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had, to go down
into Mexico" he began, drawing up
| closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's one
tough country to do business in right
now, but at the same time"
1.-The country's perfectly quiet" put
in Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
well, maybe So" qualified De Lam
cey; "but when 1t comes to getting In
supplies"
Not a bit of trouble in the world"
said the old man crabbedly. mot a
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey,
what's the matter, then? What is
the proposition, anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intently.
1--WE stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said, land he refused 1t. That's
enough, amt it,"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
well, yes, 1 guess 1t is." Then, In
passing, he said to Bud: go ahead
and talk to him."
He walked away, lighting a cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly, and the
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got for
a pardner," he remarked. "A smart
man. You want to look out" he added.
"or he'll get away with you"
"None' said Bud. "You don't know