Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-05-25
CHAPTER VII-CoNTINuED

pcSlllS W llccL 'l lllQulSltiNc. D0lN
young woman bent upon exploiting his
plans and his personality in the usual
inane journalistic fashion. He was
surprised and offended that Dan Apple
ton. in whom he had roposed the ut
most faith, should have betrayed his
secret. Publicity was Il thing he de-
tested ut all times, and at present he
particularly dreaded its effect. But he
was a%greeably surprised in the girl
who came toward him briSkly with
hand outstretched
Miss Appleton was her brothers. dou-
bic. She had his frank blue eyes. his
straw gold hair, his humorous smile
and wide awake look. She was not by
any means beautiful - her features
were too irregular, her nose too tip
tilted, her mouth too generous for that
but she seemed crisp, clean cut and
wholesome. What first struck O'Neil
was her effect Of boyishncss. From
the crown Of her plain straw "%sailor'
co the soles of hnr sensible walking
boots there was no suggestion of femi-
nine frippery. She wore Il plain shirt
waist and IL tailored skirt, and her
hair was arranged simply. The wave
in it's pale gold was the only conces-
sion to mere prettiness. Yet she gave
no impression of deliberate masculine
ty. She struck n as merely not in
terested in clothes, instinctively eX-
pressing in her dress her OWL boyish
directness and her businesslike absorb
ton in her work.
You're furious, of course. Anybody
would be-" she began. then laughed so
frankly that his eyes softened and the
wrinkles at their corners d%cepened.
Il fear l was rude before | learned
you were Dams sister" he apologized.
But you see I'm Il bit afraid of news
paper people"
II knew you'd struggle, although Dan
described you as a perfectly angelic
person."
"Indeed"
But I'm q real reporter, SO l won't
detain you long. l don't care where
you were born or where you went to
school or what patent breakfast food
you eat. Tell me, are you going to
build another ~railroad?'
II hODc so. Pm always building
roads when my bids are low enough to
secure the contracts. That's my bust
ness"
Are You going to build one in Alas
ka?'
''Possibly. There seems to be an OPP
portunity there, but Dan has probably
told you as much about that as | am
at liberty to tell. He's been over the
ground"
She pursed her lips at him. You
know very we'll, or you ought to know,
that Dan wouldn't tell me a thing
while he's working for you. He hasn't
said a word. but Is that why you
came i'll frowning like a thunder
cloud? Did you think he set me on
your trail:"
Il think ! do know that he wouldn't
do anything really indiscreet." Muir,
ray regarded her with growing favor.
There was something about this boyiSh
girl which awakened the same spun-
taneous liking he had felt upon his
first meeting with her brother. He
surprised her by confessing boldly:
Il am building Il railrOad-to the in
terror of Alaska. I've been east and
raised the money. My men are here.
Well begin operations at once
"That's what Mr.. Gordon told me
about his scheme. but he hasn't done
much SO far"
My line will put his out of bust
ness; also that Of the trust and the
various wildcat promoters"
Where does your road start FROM
1.-THE town of Omar, on King Phillip
sound. near Hope and Cortez. 1t will
run up the Salmon river and past the
glaciers which those other men re-
fused to tackle"
"1f l weep it is for JOY" said the
girl. II don't like Curtis Gordon. l
call him Simon Legree."
Why
"Well, he impresses Inc as a real old
time villain with the riding boots and
the whip and all that. Uncle Toms
Cabin is my favorite play; it's SO fun.
ny. This is a big story you've given
me, Mr.. O'Neil."
II realize that"
1T has the biggest news value of
anything Alaskan which has broken
for some time. / think you are a very
nice person to interview, after all"
wait. 1 don't want you to use q
word II what I've told you"
Miss Appleton's clearly penciled
brows rose inquiringly. Then why
didn't you keep still?"
you asked me. / told you because
you are Dan Appleton's sister. New.
erthelcss | don't want it made pub
lic."
Lets sit down. said the girl. will
a laugh. ITO tell you the truth.
didn't come here to Interview you fol
my paper. I'm afraid I've tried your