Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-09-19
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Pace.setter.


Smith made an early breakfast on
the morning following the auto drive
70 the abandoned mine. hoping thereby
10 avoid meeting both Miss Richlander
and Jibbey. The Hophra cafe was
practically empty when he went il
and took his accustomed place at one
of the alcove tables, but he had barely
given his order when Starbuck APP
peared and came to join him.
you're looking whole lot better
this morning, John" said the mine
owner quizzically, as he held up a
finger for the waiter. 'HOw's the
grOuch?'
Smiths answering grin had some
thing of its former good-nature in it,.
''Foday'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"
That's 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 if you'd gone plumb
lOcOed."
81 was locoed," was the quiet adj
mission.
"What cured your
"It's too long a story to tell over the
breakfast table. What do you hear
from WiIliams?"
"All quiet during the night; but the
weather reports are soaring him up
a good bit this morning"
"Storms on the ranger
'Yes. The 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 EVENING""
"Yes. / drove him aud Corona out
he'd lost his roadster; somebody had
sneaked in and borrowed it,"
81 suppose he told you about the
latest move-our move-in the stock
selling game?'
mo, he didn't; but Stillings did. You
played it pretty fine, John; only hope
10 gracious we won't have to redeem
those options. 1t would bust our little
inside crowd wide open to have to buy
In all that stock al par
Smith laughed. Sufficient unto the
day Billy. 1t 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"
The railroad right-of-way deal?'
'Yes; he has been holding that in
reserve-that, and one other thing"
what was the other thing?" Star
buck was absently fishing for a sec
Dnd lump of sugar in the sugar bowl
~Has it got anything to do with the
bunch of news that you won't tell
us-about yourself, John?"
asIt has. Two days ago. Stanton had
me fairly. but a friend of mine stepped
ia. Last night, again. he stood to win
out. But q man fell into the river, and
Stanton lost out once more"
Starbuck glanced up soberly. You're
talking in riddles now, John. 1 don't
sabe."
1T isn't necessary for you to sabe.
Results are what counts. Barring acct
dents, you Timanyoni High l. ne
people can reasonably count on having
ne with you for the next few critical
DAYS; and. 1 may add, you never
needed me more pointedly."
Starbuck's smile was face-wide.
Il hope / don't feel sorry he re-
marked sssalc day. when you can