Gilpin observer., 1918-05-23
TICKLE FORTUNE
BY wAvERLv JOHNSON.

roadbed back the way he had come
He had been doing when the conduc-
tor called out. Wadhams and had been
CARRIED five miles beyond his station
The roadbed was stone ballasted
glanclng down the embankment, no
ticed that the right Of way was bound
ed by fence. Then came strip
about two hundred feet wide and thea
traversible dirt highway. Wayne
descended.
He observed that this strip Of land,
extending for a mile or more, was OF
spongy soil not fit even for grazing
except where a little knoll presented.
and upon this was a small house one
story high. square and compact, an
ideal of neatness and taste In the cen
ter of an inviting patch Of worthless
useless ground.
The house was painted freshly and
1t shone as result Of the use of ex-
cellent material and expert workman
ship. Wayne was thirsty and noticed
well. turned from the road and a.
he went up graveled path the APP
parent owner of the place appeared at
the open doorway.
He was middle aged man, erect,
active looking and clean appearing.
He wore white duck jumpers and over
alls and they were immaculate. Like
the exterior of the house he seemed
Just to have stepped from paint
pot.
n n lei nj IN q
gan Wayne. and paused, dazzled, as II
all he saw was part of some moving
picture. Another character in Its en-
semble had appeared. This was a
young girl of perhaps eighteen, a tin
pail In her hand. headed for the WELL
She was fitting and harmonious part
Of the pleasant prospect. Trim, grace
full, arrayed In n pretty calico gown.
she emphasized the wholesome aspect
Of the environment.
"Sit down, won't your" invited
Wayne's host, and moved towards 4
garden bench near by. Bound for
WadhamT
"Why. yes" explained Wayne. II
slept past my station and will have to
foot 1t back"
"Well. II you aren't in a hurry I
fancy we can help you on your way
My daughter, Cora. will drive to Wad-
ham in about half an hour. She's
taken up drawing at the college there"
Just then the girl appeared with a
glass pitcher filed with sparkling well
water and glass. Wayne arose and
bowed politely and the manner of the
girl. like that of the father, was friend
ly and pleasant.
She left them and Wayne heard her
chirrup to horse grazing near
small barn outside of which stood a
single seated gig. He gllded into
general conversation with his host.
David Bayle was his name.
"You see, I was painter, in the
CITY," narrated Rogers. mot an ar
tist-no, Cora seems to have all the
genius In that direction. Scenes, most
ly. mine, and big landscape stun for
pleasure parks, band stages and al
that. We were cooped up and 1t
didn't give Cora show. A slick fell
low came along and traded me this
stretch of territory for my business.
took his word as to what you see
here. He said the land was right at
a junction that was the railroad key
to the county and bound to be very val
liable in time. Well, he swindled us.
that's all, and we've made the best OF
1t. I've got little ready cash. but
plning for something to keep me busy
and Cora is lonesome"
"How far do you own along the
railroad?" inquired Wayne.
IAN even mile. There's Cora. II
yon won't mind the jolting, it'll be
easier In the old gig than tramping It,"
She was the pleasantest, brightest
little fairy Wayne had ever met, this
clear-eyed. dimpled girl and by the
time they reached Wadham. they were
quite friendly. In her simple way
she told of her school life. hor artistic
ambitions, her hopes that they could
get rid OF the land and settle in some
less uncivil,zed spot.
ITS fatev soliloquized Wayne. That
same afternoon late. as he made his
way to the place where Miss Bayle
put up the rig.
"It's love at first sight!" he added,
as she appeared. ~
IT am going to ask you to drive me
back to your home" he told the young
girl. "You see, have some business
with your father"
The business" Wayne had worked
up over long distance telephone. A
big idea had struck HIM.
81 represent the largest billboard
concern in the world" he told the
wondering father and daughter, "and
the minute l analysed your layout
here ] saw big speculation. Your
narrow strip is ideal for putting up Il
whole raft of display signs. Junction.
hundreds of trains daily, gateway to
the city-see? You, Mr.. Bayle, SHAH