The Elbert County tribune., 1914-04-03

orations. real champagne wine. and
everything Imported even when it's
made on the spot. They don't mako
no hurroar over losing a few thou
sand at cards. but they just amt going
to stand seeing Polly laying around
drunk on the barroom floor. / tell
you when they comes I 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 I require at Forest
Lodge is real society hostess. lady.
Yes. that's what's the matter-a lady.
Now that's what come about. Ever
since seen you, Mrs. mean madam.
mean
He became quite diftident. leaving
the doorway. leaning over the coun-
ter.
Would you" he began. would
you be prepared, ma'am, to-"
My way was clear. and | 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 q
test revolted me. for one does not
strike a fallen adversary.
We're there any funds to promote
black pines and mosquitoes as an at
his folly had divulged that foolish
scheme. sufficient to complete the ruin
of a 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 un-
der any obligations to the lady"
did you pay of the mortgage?"
Il did. So Polly strums rag-time
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. half
interest, that's ALL"
$50 you're IN Partnership"
why, nc Fact is, old Pete has
been working thirty-fve years. with
his faithful eyes shining behind that
hair-it's silver now. eh? 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 l
come to think of it, I'm rather proud
of the outfit. So, in my sentimental
way, made deed by which Pete Is
managing owner. with a half-interest.
while Polly is sleeping partner with
no right to interfere"
You've told Peter"
mo. suppose I've got to own
up?"
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.
"It was read to me by the lawyer
chap. Isn't 1t all right?"
"Oh. yes" l managed to say. its
all right-such funny legal jargon.
/ looked at the names of the wit
nesses. Cultus McTavish and Low
lived Joe, the wors< characters in our
district. The document read to the
old 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
ITO RE CONTrNIrED,