The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-06-03
CHAPTER xl-Continued.

youI property HeuH-WHen you anu
] have had such an intimate relation
ship as opponents. And wouldn't for
the world have agreed to 1t if.it could
have had the slightest connection with
with yoDr own private affairs.
1t hasn't-it can't have. give you
my word on that; it's been settled
without the slightest reference to any
thing else. But since 4 hasn't, and
since Rufus asked me as a favor
and promised to tell you about it
and It's absolutely commercial"
That's enough. I'm glad you're
going to do It," billiards. voice was
gruff; 1t was tribute to his compan-
ions code of ethics. "Know anything
about mining?"
"Not thing. But Pm to go to law
firm in Butte-and of course it's only
a Formally, anyway. I'll probably find
it's better than you ever claimed. But
Rufe asked me-"
81 see. Well-now about this other
matter ="
Armstrong was watching the west
bound express as 1t felt its cautious
way through Railroad avenue TO the
station.
"Yes?"
billiard was suddenly ashamed Of
himself; he was forced to concede that
his rival had the advantage of him In
poise and altrusm. He shook himself
free of the savage resentment which
was stealing upon him.
"We're only human-both of us.
Perhaps-under the circumstances
the best thing we can say is to say
nothing except that l wish you
all the luck in the world. / don't pre-
tend it isn't hard thing to say-but
I'm trying to mean it. And you GER
tainly deserve it."
"And to you" said Armstrong cheer
fully. "And no bad feelings on either
side. And 1 hope your mine makes a
million dollars for you"
Thanks" said billiard, grimly. 'I'li
need it. But don't be afraid to send
Rufus your honest opinion-will you"
"No--and I'll send ii to you. too.
That's only fair. I'd better be
starting"
They shook hands again across the
wheel.
you're a good sport, Armstrong
don't think I've got any resent
ment left . except a bit that l can't
quite swallow on short notice. =
81 know. But you don't need to
worry, old man. Your futures bright
enough-as l hope to wire Rufus about
Saturday"
Too late, billiard perceived that
they were talking at cross-purposes-
Armstrong was evidently thinking
about the mine. But there was time
only for last gesture Of farewell
and Armstrong had disappeared in the
depths Of the trainshed. Armstrong
the victor, and the inquisitioner
was on the road to Butte!
Work, hard work. the panacea and
fhe salvation of those who are sore
distressed. even this cheapest relief
was denied billiard. He was left alone
with his problem, wrestling with 1t
once more in the black darkness of de-
spondency. and knowing neither a
means of simplifying 1t, nor coun-
selor to whom he could turn for aid
He conceded that there was only one
thing for him to do, and he intended TO
do IL. but he was harassed because he
had so much time TO think about 1t.
Not since the first sickening shock of
Harmon's revelation had he doubted
his own purpose; 1t was merely the
machinery of II which perplexed him.
His confidence in himself gradually
returned he was abnormally calm and
determined; he had no more idea of
resisting his impulses than he would
have had I'm Flanders, of disobeying
his orders. The thing was there to be
done, and he, regardless of his own fu-
ture, was there to do 1t.
Overnight, he had occupied himself
with some elementary accounting.
With Harmons check, his outstand-
ing balance for expenses. and what
money he could raise by selling his
runabout and few personal posses
sions, he had on hand a matter of
ninety-sIx hundred dollars; Syracuse
had entrusted him with sixty-two thou
sand. To compromise pro rata with
his creditors-this was apparently his
only resource, and yet how insufficient
a repafation It was! He knew that It
had been his duty to investigate. the
Montana property before he began TO
exploit It; he knew that his self-lntro-
ductiOn to Syracuse had been blatant
ly inexcusable, and that not even the
fact that he had been carried away by
the 'irama of II could ever be excused.
His intricate fabric Of deception. now
that he inspected II from this different
viewpoint, was Enthusiastically. He
could be traced-if anyone cared to
epend the time. and the energy, II
Ar,nsrrppg.--or Rufus Waring-careo
a. srcrd & example Uf course,