Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-11-26
CHAPTER xvlIl-continued.


British Columbia in which you Induced
me to invest four hundred thousand
dollars. You will remember that YOU
purchased that timber for me from the
Caribou Timber company, Limited.
You said 1t was an unparalleled invest
ment. Quite recently / learned-no
matter how--that you were the princi-
pal owner of the Caribou Timber com.
many, Limited Smart as you are,
somebody swindled you with that red
cedar. 1t was wonderful stand of
timber-so read the cruisers report
but fifty per cent of it, despite its
green and fourishing appearance, is
hollow-buttedl And the remaining
fifty per cent of sound timber cannot
be logged unless the roltten timber is
logged also and gotten out of the way.
And I am informed that logging It
spells bankruptcy"
She gazed at him steadily, but with
out malice; his face crimsoned and
then paled; presently his glance
sought the carpet. While he struggled
to formulate a verbal defense against
her accusation Shirley continued:
you had erected a huge sawmill
and built and equipped logging road
before you discovered you had been
swindled. SO, in order to save as
much as possible from the wreck, you
decided to :llioad your white elephant
on somebody else. was the readiest
victim. You were the executor of my
fathers estate-you were my guardian
and financial adviser, and so you found
it very, very easy to swindle mel"
81 had my back to the WALL" he
quavered. Il was desperate-and it
wasn't at all the bad investment you
have been told it is. You had the money
more money than you knew what to
do with-and with the proceeds Of the
sale Of those cedar lands, I knew 1
could make an investment in California
redwood and more than retrieve my
fortunes-make big money for both
of u.s."
you might have borrowed the money
from me. You know I have never hes
ttated to join in your enterprises"
This was too big a deal for you,
Shirley. had vision. / could see in
calculable riches in this redwood en-
pire, but it was tremendous gamble
and required twenty millions to swing
1t at the very start. l dreamed of the
control Of California redwood; and If
you will stand by me, Shirley, shall yet
make my dream come true-and half
Of it shall be yours. 1t has always
been my intention to buy back from
you secretly and at a nice profit to you
that Caribou red cedar, and with the
acquisition of the Cardigan properties
I would have been in position to do
so. Why, that Cardigan tract in the
San Hedrin which we will buy in with
in a year for half million, is worth
five millions at least. And by that
time, I feel certain-in fact, I know
the Northern Pacific will commence
building in from the south, from VIII
Its"
Il shall" he began. but he paused
abruptly as if he had suddenly re-
mc@bered that tact and not pugnaefty
of this ticklish situation.
She silenced him with a disdainful
gesture. "You shall not smash the
Cardigans,n she, declared firmly. You
are devoid Of mercy, of sense OF
craftsmanship. Now, then, Uncle
Seth, listen to me: You have
twenty-four hours in which TO make
up yeur mind whether to accept my
ultimatum or refuse it. T. you re-
fuse, / shall prosecute you for frara
and a betrayal Of trust as my father
executor on that red cedar timber
deal"
He frightened a trife. Tn afraid
that would be long, hard row to hoe
my dear, and of course, shall have to
defend myself"
in addition" the girl went on qui-
city, "the county grand jury shall pc
furnished with a stenographic report
Of your converse ION of THURSDAY
night with Mayor Poundstona. That
win not be a long. hard row to noe
Uncle Seth, for in addition to me
stenographer. have another reliah'e
witness, Judge Moore. Your casual
disposal of my sedan as bride to the
mayor win he hard to explain ana
rather amusing. in view Of the fact
that Bryce Cardigan managed to fright
en- Mr.. Poundstone into returning the
sedan while you were away. ana
If that is not sufficient for my purpose
! have tha ervorn confession of the
8lac'. Minorca that you gave MIN hVe
hundred dollars to kill Bryce Cardigan.
Your woods boss, Rondeau, Will also
swear that you approached him WIN
proposition to do away with Bryce
Cardigan I think. therefore. that you
will readily see how impossible SIT
ustion you have managed TO create
and win not disagree with ne when
suggest that 1t would be better for you
to leave this county"
Ills face had gone gray and nag