The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1916-03-17

loved. But MISS MaSSlngale was IN
charmingly frivolous frame of mind.
That is the fourth different excuse
you have invented for cutting me out
of your visiting list. not counting the
repetitions," she gibed. when he had
finally fallen back upon the time de-
mands of his work to account for his
late neglect of her. IF l wanted to
be hateful l might insist that you
haven't given the true reason yet"
Perhaps / will give it before l CO."
he parted. But just now I'd much
rather talk about something else. Tell
me about yourself What have you
been doing all these days when
haven't been able to keep tab on your"
'F1irting-hirting desperately with
Tig, with Mr. Arson and Mr.. Grislow,
and that nice boy of yours. Herbert
Griffith, and with-no. not with Mr..
Leshington; he scares me-makes a
face like a wooden image and says.
Little girl, you need a mother-or a
husband; haven't made up my mind
which When he does make up his
mind I'm going to shrek and run
away"
And you fiirt!" he protested re
proachfully. Now tell me about the
Little SUSAN is the Bluegrass farm
looming up comfortably on the eastern
edge of things?"
In a twinkling her frivolous mood
vanished.
"Oh, we are prosperous. desperately
prosperous. We have all the improve
ments you can see and lot that you
can't see. And our pay roll-it fairly
frightens me when make it up on the
Saturdays"
Il see" he nodded "All going out
and nothing coming in. But the money
is all here, safely stacked up in the
ore bins. You'll get it all out when
the railroad comes"
THAT is another thing-a thing !
haven't dared tell father and Stevie.
When l was in Mirapolis this morn
ing / heard that the railroad wasn't
coming. after all: or. rather. Tig had
heard 1t and he told me. We were dig
ging for facts when you met US on
Chigringo avenue-trying to find out II
the rumor were true"
1T means great deal to you,
doesn't it," he said evasively.
1T means everything thousand
times more now than 1t did before"
His quick glance up into the sud-
denly sobered eyes Of the girl stand
ing on the step above him was a voice
less query and she answered 1t.
I'VE had no working capital. as /
think you must have known. Once
month father or Stevie would make up
frxv L. - III
est ore and freight them over the
mountains to Red Butte. That was
how we got along. But when you sent
me word by Tig that the railroad COM
pany had decided to build the extern
sion, there was-there was-a
chance.
Yes" he encouraged.
"A chance that the day OF little
things was past and the day of big
things was come. Mr.. Cartwright and
some of his associates had been trying
to buy an interest in the Little Susan
Father let them in on some sort OF
stock arrangement that l don't under
stand and then made himself person
ally responsible for a dreadful lot of
borrowed money"
Borrowed OF Mr.. Cortwright?
queried Brouillard.
mo; OF the bank. Neither Steyie
nor ! knew about 1t until after 1t was
done, and even then father wouldn't
explain. He has been like 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"
mot SO much upon the railroad now
as upon some other things" said
Brouillard enigmatically. You say
your father has borrowed OF the bank
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
I know is that father is responsible,
and that II the railroad doesn't come
he will lose everything"
Brouillard gave low whistle. 81
don't wonder that the quitting rumor
made you nervous. But / think / 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 bit and I'll ex-
plain. DO you remember my telling
you that your brother had tried to
bride me to use my influence with Mr..
Ford?"
AS II I should ever be able to for.
get III" she protested.
"We1I that waau'f all that ho dtd