The Red Cloud chief., 1919-12-11
CHAPTER VI.

satiOn Il been upon Edith, she con-
cealed II carefully. and Dave counted
1t n Of the fortunate events of his
life. He had been working under the
spur Of his passion for Irene, but now
this was to be supplemented by the
friendship Of Edith. That II was more
than friendship on her part did not
occur to him at all. but he knew she
was Interested In him and he was
dOubly determined that he would
Justify her interest and confidence.
But just at this time another Incl
dent occurred which was to turn the
flood of his life into strange channels.
Dave had been promoted 10 the dIstInc-
ton Of a private Office-a little six-by-
six box STALL" as the sport editor de-
scrlbed it-but. nevertheless. a dis
tinction shared only with the manng.
ing editor and Bert Morrison, compiler
OF the wOman's page. Her name was
Roberta. but she was masculine to the
tips and everybody called her Bert.
Into Dawes sanctuary one after
noon In October came Coward. His
habitual cigarette hung from Its ac-
cust0med short tooth, and his round,
ford face seemed puffier than usual.
His aversion to any exercise more Wig
Or0us than offered by a billiard cue
was beginning to reflect itself In Q
premature rotundity of figure.
"'LO. Dave" he said. "AlOne?"
almost" said Dave, without look
ing up from his typewriter. Then,
turning, he kicked the door shut with
his heel and said. "ShOot!"
'This strenuous life Is spelling you
good manners. Dave, my boy" said
Coward, lazily exhaling a thin cloud
Of smoke. IF work made a man rich
you'd die a millionaire. But 1t isn't
work that makes men rich. Ever think
Of that?"
IF a man does not become rich by
work he has no right to become rich
ut all" Dave retorted.
what do you NEAR by that word
right Dave? Define It,"
Haven't time. We go to press at
four"
That's the trouble with fellows like
yOu." Coward continued. "You
haven't time. You stick too close TO
your jobs. You never see the better
chances lying all around. Now sun
pose you let them go to press without
you today and you listen to me for a
while"
Dave was about to throw him out
Whpn a piISt Of vaorntpu fnr tho 49,
spaces swept over him again. 1t was
rue enough. He was giving his whole
life to his paper. Promotion was slow,
and there was no prospect Of a really
big position at any time. He remem-
bered Mr.. Duncan's remark about
newspaper training being the best
preparation for something else. With
sudden decision he closed his desk.
shoot" he said again. but this time
with less impotence.
That's better" said Coward.
"Have you ever thought Of the future
Of this town.
well, I can't say that l have. I've
been busy with Its present"
That's what l supposed. You've
been too busy with the details of your
little job to give attention to bigger
things. Now let me pass you u few
pieces of MISUNDERSTANDING you
must know, but you have never put
them together before. What are the
natural elements which make a coun-
try or city q desirable place 10 live?
I'll tell you. Climate. transportation,
good water, variety Of landscape, OPP
%portunity of independence. Given
these conditions, everything else can
be added. Then there's t~ransporta-
ton. This n one Of the few centers
In America which has a North-and.
South trade equal to its East-and-W West
trade. We're on the crossroads, Every
settler who goes into the North-and
1t Is a mighty North-means more
North-and'South trade. l tell you,
Dave, the movement is on now, and
before long it'll hit us like a tidal
wave. I've been u bit of q gambler
all my life, but this Is the biggest
Jackpot ever was,e and I'm going to
sit In. How about your
I'D like to think 1t over. Promo.
ton doesn't come very fast on this lob,
that's sure" q
"Yes, and while you are thinking II
over chances are slipping by, DOM
think 1t over-put 1t over. l tell you
Dave. there are big things In the air
they are beginning to move already
Have you noticed the I strangers IN