The Press., 1918-04-04
"You've Bored in the Wrong Place"

"You've Bored in the Wrong Place" erly spoke up Harley Grove. He was man Jim Colby did not hke-and for reason-but Jim said equably enough:
 II suppose you can bid if you want | to-" and went home to get the papers covering his two forties.
 But something changed Jim's puH- pose he had not anticipated. When he got home he found a note under the door of the little cabin, undoubte0- ly left by some wagOner or special messenger from the creek settlement. He flushed and his breath came quick as he read the signature, and he pressed his lips to the scrap of paper with fervent:
 Dear little Iadyi Only cold Dear SIr. Colby but maybe she's changed Wetherell, a widow Of twenty two, with a little three-year-old child, and who lived at the little settlement at Glasgow creek, was that twenty times she had refused to marry IoveIorn Jim Colby. She was wistfuI, stern, sometimes harsh, when Jim ap. preached her. but he never could fathOm her motive in turning him away.
 "I'H do itr' cried Jim, influenced suddenly by some strong impulse. i've always believed that what Janice had against me was my shiftIess, roaving ways. I dabbled In mines, horses, land, and never got anywhere. If this oil fever gets me I'll waste time and money, and the steady going little hardware business I've worked up will go to pot. No. sir-ree! I'll keep steadily plodding along, patiently, and see if that helps me any with Janice"
 Jim Colby went back downtown. He had a deed to one forty-acre tract made out to Janice Wetherell. The other he put up at auction and Harley Grove, gambler. speculator, bad man generally when aroused, bid it in for one thousand dollars, and his sinister eyes glowed as he realized the bargain he had made.
 Then with all eagernesS Jim saddled horse and got down to the creek set. tlement. The young widow occupied neaf little cottage with her mother and child She greeted Jim pleasantly, yet with certain constraint.
 ''l have sent fer you for your own good, Mir. Colby" she said, as they were seated. Your dead sister was my closest schoolday chHm. 1 have known you and your folks for years. I want to he your friend They have found oil down the creek. .tThat man Grove war .lere with experts, who were tramping all over your land. For 'nce. ATr. Colby. don't throw away your chances. They will try to get the land cheap
 They have already" announced Jim undisturbedly. q sold one forty to Grove this morning." !,
 "Oh, DTr. Colby .'' The other deeded to you" Why! ] cannot accept it.
 It's on record. If it amounts to anything it's in safe hands. Every thing slips through my poor fingers"
 Even you," he added, mournfully.
 Her lips trenbled, her eyes seemed to pierce his very soul. but she did not speak the wild thought consuming her.
 ''Go away" she almost sobbed .'Oh, that l have to say it!'
 Whats the answer?" colnmuned poor Jim with himself. returning to town. ''It seems as if at times she is just going to throw herself in my arms and then again feel as if she was Judging me. What for? never wronged single human being that | know of"
 And then came a happening that carried the whole township off it's feet, and for time even Jim forgot his love sorrows. At midnight a group of mad, excited horsenen dnshed through the town, arousing people from their beds
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