The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-08-05

queer thing for me TO do--to check ND
your property I mean-when you and
I have had such an intimate relation
the world have agreed TO II IL II could
have had the slightest connection with
with your own private affairs
II 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 II 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; II was tribute TO his compan-
ions code Of ethics. know anything
about miningf"
"Not thing. But I'm to go TO a law
firm In Butte-and Of course it's only
q Formally. anyway. I'll probably and
IT'S better than you ever claimed. But
RUFF asked me-"
81 see. well-now about this other
matter :"
Armstrong was watching the west
bound express as II 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 altruism. 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 ! wish you
all the luck in the world. I don't pre-
tend II isn't hard thing to say-but
tainly deserve IT,"
"And to you" said Armstrong cheer
fully. "And no bad feelings on either
side. And I hope your mine makes
million dollars for you"
Thanks" said billiard. grimly. "Tll
need II. But don't be afraid to send
Rufus your honest opinion-will your
"No-and I'll send It 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 ! can't
quite swallow on short notice. :"
81 know. But you don't need to
worry. old man. Your futures bright
enough-as I hope to wire Rufus about
Saturday"
Too late, Hilliard perceived that
they were talking at cross-purposes-
Armstrong was evidently thinking
about the mine. But there was time
only for a last gesture of farewell /;
and Armstrong had disappeared in the
depths Of the trainshed. Armstrong
e. the victor, and the inqnisltioner
was on the road to Buttei
Work, hard work, the panacea and
the salvation of those who are sore
distressed. even this cheapest relief
was denied billiard. He was left alone
with his problem, wrestling with II
once more in the black darkness Of de-
spondency, and knowing neither a
means of simplifying IL, nor a 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 IT, but he was harassed because he
had so much time TO think about 1t.
Not since the first sickening shock of
4 Harmon's revelation had he doubted
his own purpose; II was merely the
machinery of II which perpleyed 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 ne. regardless Of his own fu'
ture, was there to do II.
Overnight, he had occupied himself
with some elementary accounting.
With Harmon's check. his outstand
ing balance for expenses. and what
money he could raise by selling his
runabout and a 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
reparation II wasi He knew that II
had been his duty to investigate the
Montana property before he began to
exploit II I; he knew that his self-intro-
duction 10 Syracuse had been blatant
ly inexcusable. and that not even the
fact that he had been carried away by
the drama Of II could ever be excused
His intricate fabric Of deception, now
that he inspected II from this different
viewpoint. was fiimsy-shoddy. He
could be traced-if anyone cared to
spend the time. and the energy, II
Armstrong-or Rufus Waring-cared
TO spend II. for example. OF course,
there was always the refuge of flight,
but in Flanders. men learn not 20 de-
sert their posts, and Hilllard had
learned that lesson among the first.
Loyalty 10 the cause OF fighting had