The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-08-12
CHAPTER XII
To return to Bryce Cardigan: :

To return to Bryce Cardigan:
Having completed his preliminary
plans to build the N. C. o.. Bryce had
returned to Sequola, prepared to sit
quietly on the side lines and watch
his peppery henchman Ogllvy go into
action
Ogilvy's return to scquoia following
his three-wecks tour In search of rights
of way for the n. C. o. was heralded
by visit from him to Bryce Cardigan
at the latter's office. As he breasted
the counter in the general Office. MORA
McTavish left her desk and came over
to see what the visitor desired.
81 should like to see Mr.. Bryce
Cardigan" Buck began In crisp bus
inesslike accents. He was fumbllng
In his card-case and did not look up
until about to hand his card to Molra-
when his mouth flew half open, the
while he stared at her with consum-
mate frankness The girls glance met
his momentarily, then was lowered
modestly she took the card and car
rled II to Bryce.
"Hum-m-m Bryce grunted. "That
noisy fellow Ogilvy, ehT
"Hls clothes are simply wonderful
and so is his voice. He's very refined,
But he's carroty red and has freckled
hands, Mr.. Bryce"
Bryce rose and sauntered into the
general office.
"Mr. Bryce Cardlgan?" Buck queried.
AT your service, Mr.. Ogllvy. Please
come In"
THANK you so much, SIR" He fol-
lowed Bryce to the latter's private
office, closed the door carefully behind
him. and stood with his broad back
against II.
"Buck. ares you losing your mind1''
Bryce demanded.
"Losing It? ! should say not. I've
Just lost IT,"
81 believe you. " you were quite
sane, you wouldn't run the risk of be-
Ing seen entering my office"
'Tut-tut. old dearl None OF that
Am | not the mainspring Of the North.
ern California Oregon railroad and
privileged TO run the destinles OF that
soulless corporation as see fit?" He
sat down. crossed his long legs. and
jerked n speckled thumb toward the
outer Office. ~ was sane when came
In here, but the eyes of the girl out.
slde-oh. VOW, them eyes must be
introduced to her"
"Love at first sight. eh. Buck7"
II don't know what II is, but It's
nice. Who Is sher"
"She's MORA McTnvish. and you're
not TO make love to her. Understand;
I can't have you snooping around this
office after to-day"
Mr.. Ogilvy's eyes popped with interest,
"Oh," he breathed. "You have an eye
TO the main chance yOuself. have you /
Have you proposed to the lady as
YETI"
"No you idiot"
"Then I'll match you for her--or
rather for the chance to propose first
Nothing doing. Buck. Spare your
self these agonlzlng suspicious. The
fact OF the matter Is that you give me
wonderful inspiration. I've always
been afraid MORA would fall In love
with some ordinary fellow around
Sequola--propinquity. you know"
"You bet. Pr0plnquity's the stuff
I'll stick around"
"--and I've been on the lookout for
n fine man to marry her of to. She's
too wonderful for you, Buck. but In
time you might learn to live up ia
her"
"Duck I'm liable to kiss you"
Don't be too preclpltate. Her father
used to be our woods-boss. ired
him for boozing."
81 wouldn't care two boots II her
dad was old Nick himself. I'm going
TO marry her--if she'll have me. All
the glorious creaturel He waved his
long arms despairiugly. 20 Lord, send