Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-05-21

lenium Mr.. Ogilvy was expecting the
vlsit-in fact, impatlently awaiting 1t (;
ana since the easiest thing he did
was to speak for publication, natural
ly the editor of the Sentinel got Il
story which, to that individuals SIM
pie soul, seemed to warrant seven
column head-which It received. In
glowing terms he spoke of the billions
of tons of timber-products to be haul
ed out Of this wonderfully fertile and
little-known country, and confidently
predicted for the county future COM
merclal supremacy that would be sim
ply staggering to contemplate.
When Colonel Seth Pennington read
this outburst he smiled. "That's a
bright scheme on the part of that
Trinidad Redwood Timber company
gang to start railroad excitement and
unload their white elephant" he de-
clared.
When Bryce Cardigan read ii, he
laughed. The interview was so like
Buck Ogilvy! In the morning the lat
ter's automobile was brought up from
the steamship dock. and accompanied
by his secretary, Mr.. Ogllvy disappear
ed into the north following the bright
new stakes of his surveying gang, and
for three weeks was seen no more.
On day when .Bryce's mind hap
pened to be occupied with thoughts Of
Shirley Sumner, he bumped into her
on the main street Of Sequola, and to
her great relief but profound surprise,
he paused In his tracks, lifted his hat.
smiled, and opened his mouth to say
something-thought better of IT.,
changed his mind, and continued on
about his business. As Shirley pass
ed him. she looked him squarely in the
face, and In her glance there was nell
ther GOODNESS nor malice.
Bryce felt himself afire from heels
to hair one instant, and cold and clam
my the next, for Shirley spoke to him.
Good morning, Mr.. Cardigan
He paused. turned, and approached
her. Good morning, Shirley" he re-
piled. "How have you been?"
II might have oeen dead, for all
the interest you took in me- she re-
piled sharply. "As matters stand, I'm
exceedingly well-thank you. BY the
way. are you still belligerent"
He nodded. 81 have to be-"
~ think you're great big crouch,
Bryce Cardigan she flared at him.
"You make me unutterably weary"
"Tm sorry" he answered, "but just
at present I am forced to subject you
to the strain. Say year from now,
when things are different with me,
III strive not to offend"
IN not be here year from now,
she warned him.
He bowed. "Then I'll go wherever
you are-and bring you back" And
with hooking little grin, he lifted
his hat and passed on.
Col. Seth Pennington was among
those who, skeptical at first and in
clined to ridicule the project into an
early grave, eventually found himself
swayed by the publicity and gradually
coerced into serious consideration of
the results attendant upon the build
ing of the road. The Colonel was
naturally as suspicious as rattle
snake in August; hence he had no
sooner emerged from the ranks of the
frank scoffers than his alert mind
framed the question:
"1ow Is this new road-imprObable
as know 1t to BEGGING to affect the
interests of the Laguna Grande Lum'
her company. If the unexpected should
happen and those bunco-steerers
should actually build road from
Sequoa to Grants Pass, Ore, and
thus construct a feeder TO a trans
continental llne?"
Five minutes Of serious reflection
sutliced to bring the Colonel to the
verge of panic, Notwithstanding the
act that he was ashamed of himself
for yielding to fright despite his firm
belief that there was no reason why
he should be frightened. Similar con
sideratlons occur to small boy who
is walking home in the dark past a
cemetery.
The vital aspects of his predlca'
ment dawned on the Colonel one night
at dinner, midway between the soup
and the fish, So forcibly did they oc'
cur to him, In fact, that for the nonce
he forgot that his niece was seated
opposite him.
"Confound them" the Colonel muir.
INJURED distinctly, ~ must look into
this Immediately"
"Look into what, uncle dear?" Shir.
ley asked innocently.
"This new railroad that man Ogilvy
talks of building-which means, Shir.
ley, that with SeQuoia as his starting
point, he is going to build a hundred
and fifty miles north to connect with
the main line of the Southern Pacific
In Oregon"
"But wouldn't that be the finest
thing that could possibly happen ia
Humboldt county" she demanded OF
him,
Undoubtedly It would-to Hum
boldt county; but to the Laguna
Grande Lumber company, In which you
have something more than sentimen.
tai interest, my dear, 1t would be q
blow. A large part of the estate left
by your father is invested In Laguna
Grande stock. and rs you know, all OF
my efforts are devoted to approaching