Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-05-25

explain. He has been like a man out
Of his mind since Mr.. Cartwright got
hold Of him-everything is rose-col-
ored. But you see how it all depends
upon the railroad"
Not SO much upon the railroad now
as upon some other things" said
Brouillard systematically You say
is Mr.. Cartwright mixed up in the
loan in any way?"
Yes; he arranged 1t in some way
for father-I don't know just how. All
| know is that father is responsible,
and that if the railroad doesn't come
he will lose everything"
Brouillard gave a low whistle. st
don't wonder that the quitting rumor
made you nervous. But l think I can
lift one of your burdens What you
heard in town this morning is a fact:
the railroad people have stopped work
on the Buckskin extension. Don't
faint-they are going to begin again
right away"
"Oh!" she gasped. Are you sure?
How can you be sure?"
I've given the order" he said
grayely, IAN order they can't disre-
gard. Let's go back a bit and I'll ex-
plain. Do you remember my telling
you that your brother had tried to
bride me 10 Use my influence with Mr.
Ford?"
"As if should ever be able to for
get it," she protested.
We'll, that wasn't all that he did
he threatened to turn the valley into
placer camp, to disorganize our
working force, even stop or definitely
postpone the building Of the dam"
She was listening eagerly, but there
was nameles3 fear in the steadfast
eyes-a shadow which he either
missed or disregarded
And y0u-you believed this?" she
asked family.
Il was compelled to believe it. He
let me pan out the proof for myself"
1T is dreadful-dreadfui! she muir
INJURED. you believed him, and for
that reason you used your influence
with Mr.. Ford?'
He got up and took her in his arms,
and she suffered him.
"a few days ago, little girl, couldn't
have told you. But now I can. am
a free manor l can be whenever
choose to say the word. l did it for
loves sake"
She was pushing him away, and the
great horror in her eyes was unmis-
taxable now.
Obi" she painted, SIS love a thing
to be cheapened like that? And your
freedom-how have you made a hun
dred thousand dollars in these few
weeks? Oh, Victor, is it clean money!"
He was abashed, confounded: and at
the bottom of the tangle Of conflict
ing emotions there was dull glow Of
resentment.
Il did it, as I say-for love of you
Amy; and now 1 have done a much
more serious thing-for the same rea-
son."
''Teli me-" she said, with a quick
catching of her breath.
Your brother put a weapon in my
hands, and | have used it. There was
one sure way to make the railroad
people get busy again. They couldn't
sit still if all the world were trying
to get to new gold camp, to which
they already have a line graded and
nearly ready for the steel"
and you have"
He nodded.
She had retreated to take her for
mer position, leaning against the porch
post, with her hands behind her, and
she had grown suddenly calm.
Don't look at me that way, Amy,
he pleaded "You wanted something
and l wanted to give it to you. That
was alias God hears me, it was all.
You believe that, Amy? It will break
my heart If you don't believe it,
She shook her head sadly.
You don't understand, and / can't
make you UNDERSTANDABLE is the keen
misery of it. If this ruthless thing you
'rind ia do had suceaedad should hs
Geludeds l am sure you can see Mlrap-
| oils in its true light. The very air you
breathe down there is poisoned. The
faint is in the blood. Mr. Cartwright
and his fellow bandits call 1t the Mir
acle City, but the poor wretches on
lower Chigringo avenue laugh and call
1t Gomorrah."
IF it had succeeded? 1t has sue,
ceeded. Didn't l say just now that
the town was crazy with excitement
when l left to come up here?"
The girl was shaking her head again
God sometimes saves US in spite OF
ourselves" she said gravely. "The
excitement will die out. There are no
placers in the Niquoia. The bars have
been prospected again and again"
| ~ CHAPTER XIII On