The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-01-01

solve and for the first time came
through the gate of the school. She
saw him come with a pleased little
serve and a feeling of feminine vic
tory.
A moment later the mountaineer was
standing on the steps and shaking
hands with Roger Malcolm, whom he
greeted briefly and with mountain re-
serve.
81 was down at Peril with a couple
of teams" he said, turning to Juanita.
AN | found lot of boxes at the sta
ton for ye. l lowed ye didn't hardly
have any teams handy, so l fetched
EN- back to my house. I'll send them
over in the morning, but l thought
I'd ride over tonight an tell ye"
She had been wondering how, at
time of mired roads, she was to have
those books. which she would soon
need. brought across the ridge Now
he had solved the problem for her.
Anse Havey stood leaning against q
porch post, his broad shoulders and
clearcut profile etched against the
moonlight as he studied the Philadel-
phian. Suddenly he asked abruptly:
Have We found anything that inter
ests We in the coal an timber line?"
Roger Malcolm glanced up and
knocked the ash from his pipe against
the rail of the porch. He had not sus-
pected that his rambles about the hills
with set of maps and a biologists
hammer had been noted.
But he showed no surprise as he an
swered with perfect frankness: Yes
and no. l came primarily to see how
Miss Holland was progressing with
her work. It's true l have thought
something of investing in mountain
resources, but that lies in the future"
Havey nodded and said quietly: Il
hope We decides to invest elsewhere"
so far as a casual inspection shows,
this country looks pretty good to me-"
rejoined Malcolm easily. Il may buy
here-provided, of course, the price is
right
This country's mighty PORE" said
the head of the Haveys slowly. About
all it can raise is a little corn an a
heap of hell, but down underneath the
rocks there's wealth.
Then the man who can unlock the
hills and get it out ought to be well
come as benefactor, ought he not?"
inquired the Fastener with smile.
He won't be-" was. the short re-
Spouse.
'Why?"
'The men from outside always aim
to get the benefit of that wealth an
then to move US OFF our mountains, an
there amt nowheres else on earth a
mountain man can live. Developin'
seems pretty much like plunderin' to
US. We centrally ask benefactors like
that to go away"
'And do they usually go?"
mo; not usually. They always
goes"
DO you expect me to believe that,
Mr.. Havey?" queried Malcolm, still
smiling.
Il don't neither ask ye to believe it
nor to disbelieve it, was the cool re-
joinder. I'm just tellin' it to We, that's
all"
Malcolm refilled his pipe and offered
the tobacco pouch to Havey. Anse
shook his head with a curt Much
obleeged," and the visitor said casual
ly: well, we needn't have any argu-
inert on that score yet, Mr. Havey My
activities, if they eventuate. belong to
the future, and when that time comes
perhaps we shall be able to agree,
after all"
4 reckon we won't hardly agree on
no proposition for despoilin' my peo-
pie, Mr.. Malcolm
Then we can disagree. when the
time comes" remarked the other man
with trace of tartness in his voice
Then ye don't aim to develop US
just now?"
Malcolm shook his head, the glow OF
his pipe bowl for a moment lighting
up a face upon which fingered an
amused smile
Not this time. Another time. per-
haps"
"All right. then" Havey's voice car
ried a very masked and courteous but
very unmistakahle warning. when
ever yet get good an ready-weIl ar
que that"
He bowed to the girl and turned into
the path which led down to the gate