Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-30
cHApTER XXX.
The paee-sstter.

CHAPTER XXX.
The Pace setter.
Smith made an early breakfast on
I the morning following the auto drive
to the abandoned mine, hoping thereby
to avoid meeting both Miss Richlander
and Jibbey. The Hophra cafe was
practically empty when he went In
and took his accustomed place at one
Of the alcoye tables, but he had barely
given his order when Starbuck ap
\ peared and came to Join him.
you're looking a whole lot better
this morning, John" said the mine
1 owner quizxically, a. he held up q
finger for the walter. 'How's the
grouch7"
Smiths answering grin had some.
thing, Of Its former good-nature In It
.sToday's the day, Billy" he said. ITO.
morrow at midnight we must have the
water running in the bitches or lose
our franchise. It's chasing around In
the back part Of my mind that Stanton
will make his grandstand play today.
I'm not harboring any grouches on the
edge Of the battle. They are handi-
cap, anyway, and always"
'Thats good medicine talk, said the
older man, eying him keenly. And
then: ''You had US all guessing. yester-
day and the day before, John. You
sure was acting as II you'd gone plumb
locoed."
II was locoed," was the quiet ad-
mission.
"What cured your
..It's too long story to tell over the
breakfast table. What do you hear
from WilliamsT'
"All quiet during the night; but the
weather reports are soaring him up
good bit this morning"
"Storms on the ranger
@Yes. Tho river gained four feet
last night, and there is flood water and
drift coming down to beat the band.
Just the same, BARLEY says he is
going to make good"
Smith nodded. BARLEY is all right
\ the right man in the right place. Have
you seen the colonel since he left the
Offices last. svening3"
.Yes. I drove him and Corona out
to the ranch in my new car. he said
he'd lost his roadster; somebody had
sneaked In and borrowed II"
Il suppose he told You about the
I latest move-our move-in the stock
selling camel"
.No. he didn't but Stillings did. You
played 1t pretty fine, John; only I hope
Z to gracious we won't have to redeem
\ those options. It would bust our little
inside crowd wide open to have to buy
in all that stock at par"
Smith laughed. Sufficient unto the
day Billy. It was the only way to
block Stanton. It's neck or nothing
with him now, and he has only one
more string that he can pull.
sThe railroad right-of-way deal?'
Eyes; he has been holding that In
reserve-that, and one other thing"
aWhat was the other thing?" Star
buck was absently fishing for sec
ond lump of sugar in the sugar bowl.
AHas 1t got anything to do with the
bunch Of news that you won't tell
as about yourself, John?"
SIT has. Two days ago, Stanton had
me fairly, but friend Of mine stepped
In. Last night, again, he stood to win
out. But man fell into the river, and
Stanton lost out once more"
Starbuck glanced up soberly. you're
talking in riddles now, John. don't
sabe."
at isn't necessary for you to sabe.
Results are what counts. Barring acct
dents, you Timanyoni High Line
people can reasonably count on having
me with yos for the next few critical
days: and, may add, yOu never
needed me more pointedly."
Stsrbuck's smile was face-wide.
Il hope I don't feel sorry" he re-
marked. "Some day, when you can
fake an hour or 50 of, I'm going to
get YOU to show me around In your
little mu-zeeum of self-conceit, John
Maybe can learn how to gather me
up one.
Smith matched the mine owners
good-natured smile. For some unex.
plainable reason the world, his particu-
lar world, seemed to have lost Its
malignance. He could even think Of
Stanton without bitterness; and the
weapon which had been weighing his
/. hip pocket for the past few days had
been carefully buried In the bottom Of
the lower dressing-case drawer before
!. be came down to breakfast
\ .You may laugh, Billy. but you'll
have to admit that I've been outfgur.
Ing the whole bunch Of you, right from
1 the star" he retorted brazenly. but
4 let's get down to business. This is
practically Stanton's last day Of grace,
/ Il he can't get some legal hold upon
1 us before midnight tomorrow night,
81 work some scheme to make US lose
+ our franchise, his job is gone"
tShow me-" said the mine owner sue.
cinctly.
ats easy. With the dam completed
4 and the water running in the bitches
We become at once going concern
nth assets A long Way in advance OF