The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-12-30
/ THE VILLAGE DREAMER
BY A. w. PEACH.

He was surprised. In the four
years of what had been his quiet WOO
ing of her. he had not seen her so ex- |
cited or SO happy; instead she had |
seemed a calm little body, greeting I
him on his evening calls with gentle
friendllness. Now she was vibrant
with some happiness Of spirit that
was reflected from her soul into her
eyes.
"Jared, guess what's happened?
Hartley Shafner has come back"
Shafner returned--that and her
present happiness could have but one
meaning; an end to his wooing, an
end to his dream of the time when
she would say Yes" to the question
he had been waiting to ask.
Before he could form his answer
there was u quick step on the porch,
and q moment later he found himself
facing the cheerful, tanned face of
Shafner.
ayes, I'm glad to get back" Shafner
said, smiling and looking toward her,
"and find people glad to see me. Go.
ing to go, jedi Yes, I'll be over and
! see you"
The next day the news Of Shafner's
coming spread and the entire village
knew that the cOurtship 1t had
watched with interest was over. Old
"Granther" Sparks, privileged because
| of his years and his kindly nature,
| summed the situation up when he said
to'Jared: "You're just a dreamer, lad,
an dreamers amt good for much in
this hustlin' world. Harris come back
with the money-made good with his
plantation. But jest the same, lad,
there's pile on us who're glad you
stayed with us an the old man speak
In Is one"
Just as Jared was closing his mill
late that same afternoon, stranger
came In, short, thick, keen-eyed fell
low, and asked to see him.
"Do you know anything about any
moneys placed In the hands of Il
Hartley Shafner for investment; have
you given him any? My name is
Graves, and l happen to be under the
responsibility of tracing Mr.. Shafner
and arrestlng him"
"a detective?"
"Yes. Mr.. Shafner has secured
funds for u fake, and some of the
people in this vicinity have been
touched. | thought you might be one
have the name of II party here. Car
you give me any information concern
ing herT
Jared stared at the name he Offered
, Miss Avery Stimson."
Under Graves mask-like face {
, shadowy smile came and went as III
watched Jared.
Hes gone up to call on the lad,
now, and I'm going to call ON him
, and arrest him"
"Wait moment" Jared said quiet
, ly. "This means that the money /
[ gomez"
) The other snorted. "Not "a CLINT o
, it left"
, Jared stood in thought while the dc
+ tectlye watched him with curious eyes
a II wish if you could arrange ii tina
n YOU would not arrest Shafner there
4
L their little money gone; besides, sh
G IL HiS lot of him." Jared did nc
|, Sc The detectives eyes widen in wOl
l. der. mo one in thG village but Mis-
d Stmson intrusted funds to him; S
l. she won't find out through them. Nov
l. j want to turn over to you the thre
IL thousand he took from her; and
want you to arrange it so that sh
l. gets 1t in his name"
4, Graves stared, then swore SOFT
n ,"Of all the fool stuntsl But I'll do {
vi You suggest. Is there anything else
, Jared shook his head.
[. 1t was long before he left the quit
A. of his dlngy, dusty mill office; so /
IL did not see Shafner and his "ci'
Is friend" leave the village on the ear
n evening train.
1t Two days sped away In the fashic
he that days have, but he did not ventul
r.. to visit the little cottage ut the or
TO Of the broad village street. He stay'
i'd long In the mill office, fusslng with Ii
accounts, in appearance, but In reali
at dreaming his old dreams over.
I'd 1t was on such an evening OF dreai
in ing that friend passing by left b
10 meager mail. Among the first lette
he opened was this:
ne "Dear Sir-My business isn't to pr
r vent men from making fools Of thel
ne selyes; it's to catch them after tn
ne have. I'm making an exception
re your case. l have written Miss Stll
rk son the whole story. Yours,
ed GRAVES"
rs. Jared gazed with astounded eyes
ed the big scrawllng message.
tn In the midst of his astoundment I
mt door of his Office opened. CHANGING
he saw the small, graceful figure
to- Avery. Her dark eyes were brig
iff with brightness he had not Sc
re there before.
ng He rose slowly. "Why, Avery