The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-08-19

each other, Shirley"
Indeed, II is. However, It's all your
fault. have told you once how you
can obviate that distressing situation.
But you're so stubborn, Mr.. Cardigan"
Il haven't got to the point where l
like crawling on my hands and knees"
he fared back at her Even for your
sake, | decline to simulate friendship
or tolerance for your uncle; hence |
must be content to let matters stand
as they are between u.s."
She laughed lightly. $50 you nre
still uncompromislngly belllgerent-
still after Uncle Seth's scalpT
"Yes; and think I'm going to get
1t. I'm not fighting for myself alone.
but for thousand dependents-fo n
princlple-for an ancient sentiment
that was my fathers and is now mine
You do not understand"
Il understand more than you give
me credit for. and some day you'll
realize II. understand Just enough
to make me feel sorry for you. un-
derstand what even my uncle doesn't
suspect at present and that Is that
you're the directing genius Of the
Northern California Oregon railroad
and hiding behind your friend Ogilvy.
Now, listen to me. Bryce Cardigan
You're never going to build that road.
Do you understand?"
The suddenness of her attack amnz-
ed him to such an extent that he did
not take the trouble to contradict her.
Instead he blurted out, angrily and
defiantly: "l'll build that road II II
costs me my life-if II costs me YOU.
Understand I'm in this fight to win"
"You will not build that road" she
reiterated.
"Why?"
Because shall not permit you to.
! have some financial interest in the
Laguna Grnnde Lumber company. and
II is not To that financial interest that
you should build the N. C. o."
"How did you find out that was
behind Ogilvy?"
Intuition. Then accused you Of
1t, and you admitted It."
II suppose you're going to tell your
uncle now," he retorted witherlngly.
"On the contrary, | am not. II 1t
VIII comfort you the least bit, you
have my word of honor that shall
not reveal to my uncle the identity of
the man behind the N c. o. The fact
Is. both you and Uncle Seth annoy me
exceedingly. How lovely everything
would have been II you two hadn't
started this feud and forced upon me
the task of trying to be fair and I'm
partial to you both. Forgive my
slang, but--Tm going to hand you each
a poke SOON"
Shirley" he told her earnestly,
listen carefully to what am about to
say: love you. I've loved you from
the day first met you. shall always
love you; and when I get around to
II. I'm going to ask you to marry me.
At present, however, that is a right
do not possess. However, the day
acquire the right l shall exercise
It."
And when will that day be2" Very
softly, In awesome tones!
The day l drive the last spike In
the N. G. o."
Fell a silence. Then; "rm glad,
Bryce Cardigan, you're not gutter.
jood-bye. good luck-and don't forget |
my errand." She hung up and sat at
he telephone for a moment, dimpled
hin In dlmpled hand. "How I'd hate
you if could handle you! !" she muir
nured.
Following this exasperntlng but
conversation with Shirley
sumner over the telephone, Bryce
jarhgan was distressed and badly
Worried man. For an hour he sat
'Iouched In his chair, chin on breast.
he while he reviewed every angle
" the situation. He found II impos-
ible, however, to dlsassociate the busl-
less from the personal aspects of his
elations with Shirley, and he recalled
hat she had the very best of reasons
or placing their relations on a bust
ess basis rather a sentimental one.
or the present, however, II was all
rofound and disturbing mystery, and
fter AN hour OF futile concentration
here came TO Bryce the old childish
npulse to go to his father with his
'oubles.
HE VIII he able to think without
avng his thoughts blotted out by a
oman's face" Bryce sollloauIzed.
He's like one of his own big redwood
'ees; his head is always above the
orm."
Strnightway Bryce left the Office and
ent home TO the old house on the
noll. John Cardigan was sitting on
le veranda. and from stand beside
IN George Sen Otter entertained him
ith phonograph selectlon-"The
iwanee River" sung by a male quar-
rte. He could not see. but with the
tuition Of the blind he knew.
what IL II. SOM" he demanded ,
'ntly as Bryce came M the low steps.
George, choke that coniraption on"
Bryce took his fathers hand. "rm