The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-02-03
THE VILLAGE DREAMER
BY A. w. PEACH.

JCoAo VI NAuL hdu UGtu Ills uulcl WOO-
ing of her he had not seen her so ex-
cited or so happy; instead she had
seemed a calm little body, greeting
him on his evening calls with a gentle
friendliness. Now she was vibrant
with some happiness of spirit that
vas reflected from her soul into her
eyes.
Jared, guess what's happened?
Hartley Shafner mas 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
b had been waiting to ask.
Before he could form his answer
there was a quick step on the porch,
and a moment later he found himself
facing the cheerful, tanned face of
Shafner.
"Yes, I'm glad to get back" Shafner
said, smiling and looking toward her,
'and find people glad t. see me. Co
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 Ii 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 a 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, a stranger
came In, a short, thick, keen-eyed fell
low. and asked to see him.
do you know anything about any
moneys placed In the hands of a
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 arresting him"
"a detective?"
"Yes. Mr.. Shafner has secured
funds for a fake, and some of the
people In this vicinity have been
touched. / thought you might be M
/ have the name of a party here. Can
you give me any information concern
ing herr"
Jared stared at the name he offered
Miss Avery Stimson."
Under Graves mask-like face a
shadowy smile came and went as he
watched Jared.
Hes gone up to call on the lady
now, and I'm going to call on him
and arrest him!"
wait a moment" Jared said quiet
ly. This means that the money is
gomez"
The other snorted. "Not a CLINT of
II left"
Jared stood in thought while the de-
tective watched him with curious eyes.
II wish If you could arrange it hat
you would-not arrest Shafner there;
and moreover, / can't bear to think of
their little money gone; besides, she
thinks a lot of him." Jared did not
see the detectives eyes widen in won
der. "No one In the village but Miss
Stimson intrusted funds to him; so
she won't find out through them. Now,
/ want to turn over to you the three
thousand he took from her; and 1
want you to arrange it so that she
gets 1t in his name"
Graves stared, then swore softly.
"Of all the fool stunts But I'll do as
you suggest. Is there anything elsef"
Jared shook his head.
1t was long before he left the quiet
of his dingy, dusty mill office; so he
did not see Shafner and his ''city
friend leave the village on the early
evening train.
Two days sped away In the fashion
that days have, but he did not venture
to visit the little cottage at the end
of the broad village street. He stayed
long in the mill Office, fussing with his
accounts. in appearance, but In reality
dreaming his old dreams over
1t was on such an evening of dream
ing that a friend passing by left his
meager mail. Among the first letters
he opened was this:
"Dear Sir-My business isn't to pre-
vent men from making fools of them
selves; it's to catch them after they
have. I'm making an exception In
your case. / have written Miss Stim-
son the whole story. Yours,
GRAVES"
Jared gazed with astounded eyes at
the big ~scrawling message.
In the midst of his a~stoundment the
door of his Office opened. CHANGING up
he saw the small, graceful figure of
Avery. Her dark eyes were bright
with a brightness he had not seen
there before.
He rose slowly. "Why. Avery"
She came up to him close, until the
lashes of her eyes, the faint rose of
- 81 IL