Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-05-21


'"The very fact that you bothered TO
ring me up at all makes me your
debtor Shirley, can you stand some
plain speaking-between friends, ]
mean7"
al think so, Mr.. Cardigan"
swell. then" said Bryce, "lIsten TO
this: 7 am your uncle's enemy until
death do us part. Neither he nor I
expect to ask or TO give quarter, and
I'm going to smash him II can"
'Tf you do. you smash me-" she
warned him.
Likewise our friendship. I'm sorry,
but It's got to be done IL can do II.
Shall-shall we say good-by, Shirley -
"Yes-s-sw There was break in
her voice. "Good-by. Mr.. Cardigan. I
wanted to know"
"Good-by Well. that's cutting the
mustard" he murmured soto yoce,
"and there goes another bright day
dream" Unknown to himself. he
spoke directly into the transmitter,
and Shirley, cllnging half hopefully to
the receiver at the other end OF the
wire, heard him--caught every inflec.
ton OF the words, COMMONPLACE
enough. but freighted with the pathos
OF Bryce's first real tragedy.
ooh, Bryce |" she cried sharply. But
he did not hear her; he had hung up
his receiver now.
The week that ensued was remarka
BILE for the amount OF work Bryce &C
complished In the investigation OF his
fathers affairs-also for a visit from
Donald McTavlsh, the woods-boss.
"Hello. McTavish," Bryce saluted
the woods-boss cheerfully and extend.
ed his hand for cordial greeting. His
hayward employee stood up, took the
proffered hand In both OF his huge and
callous ones, and held 1t rather child.
ishly.
"Weel 'Tis the wee laddle hissel'."
he doomed. I'm glad to see We, boy"
YOU'D have seen me the day before
yesterday-if you had been seeable,"
Bryce reminded him with bright
smile. Mac, old man, they tell me
you've gotten to be a regular go-to.
hell"
"Tll nae deny take a wee drappie
now an then" the woods-boss admit.
ted frankly, albeit there was a har.
ried, hangdog look In his eyes.
Mac, did Iolra give you my mes
sageT
aye"
swell, Il guess we understand each
other, Mac. Was there something
else you wanted to see me aboutr
McTavish sidled up to the desk.
i "Ye1l no be firln' auld Mac DOT o.
hand?' he pleaded hopefully. "Mon,
ha We the heart to do it-after a. these
yearsT
Bryce nodded. "If you have the
heart-after all these .years--to draw
pay you do not earn. then | have the
heart to put better man In your
place. It's no good arguing. Mac.
You're or tie pay roll onto the rem
sion roIl-your sbanty In the woods,
your meals ut the camp Kitchen, your
clothing and tobacco that ! send out
to you. Neither more nor lessT"
"Who will We pit In ma placer"
II don't know. However. II won't
be difficult task to find better man
than you"
"T'll nae let him work." McTavish's
voice deepened to growl.
"You worked that racket on my IA.
ther. Try II on me, and you'll answer
TO me-personally. Lay the weight of
your finger on your successor, Mac,
and you'll die In the county poor farm.
No threats. old mani Ton know the
Cardigans; they never blufr."
McTavish's glance met the youthful
masters for several seconds; then the
woods boss trembled. and his gaze
sought the office floor. Bryce knew
he had his man whipped at last, and
McTavIsh realized 1t. too, for quite
suddenly he burst into tears.
"Dinna fire me. lad" he pleaded
"I'll gaze back on the Job an leave
whusky alone"
Nothing doing, Mac. Leave whisky
alone for a year and I'll discharge
yOui SuNNtSSoi W SiNN sVu yum sVu'
Job. For the present. however, my
verdict stands. You're discharged"
"Who kens the Cardigan woods as
l ken them?" Mc1avish blubbered
who'll fell trees WI the least amount
o. breakagel Who'll get the work ou
o. the men7 Who'll Ye dinna near
II, lad. Ye Gamma mean IT,"
ION your way, Mac. loathe argu
ments."
81 maun see yer father aboot this
He'll nae stand for sic treatment o
an auld employee"
Bryce's temper fared up. "Yol
keep away from my father. You've
worried him enough In the past. YOU
drunkard. II you go up 10 the house
TO annoy my father with your plead
ingS McTavish, I'll manhandle you
He glanced at his watch. THE mex
train leaves for the woods In twent.
minutes. II you do not go back on I
/ and behave yourself. you can neve
go back TO Cardigan woods"
II will nae take charity from an!
man." McTavish Numbered. I'm na'
bother the ovid man, an III nae e,