Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-05-28


ed to sell al your last OFFER"
"T've changed my mind. too. I've
decided not 10 buy-at my last offer.
Goodnight"
Slowly John Cardigan hung the re-
ceiver on the hook, turned and CROPPED
for his son. when he found him, the
old man held him for a moment IN his
arms. Lead me upstairs, son." he
murmured presently. I'm tired. I'm
going to bed"
when Colonel Seth Pennington
turned from the telephone and faced
his niece, Shirley read his triumph In
his face. "Old Cardigan has capitu.
lated Mt last" he cried exultingly. ale
Just telephoned TO say he'd accept my
last offer for his Valley Of the Giants"
"But you're not going to buy IT,
You told him so, Uncle Seth"
"Of course I'm not going to buy It.
at my last offer. It's worth FIVE thou.
sand dollars in the open market, and
once offered him fifty thousand for
It. Now I'll give him five"
Shirley unused. "From what Bryce
Cardigan told me once, his father Mt.
taches sentimental value to that
strip of woods his wife is buried
there"
Hes selling II because he's desper.
ate. II he wasn't lettering on the
verge OF bankruptcy, he'd never LET
me outgame him." Pennington replied
gayly. 'rll wait until he has gone
husband save twenty-five or thirty
thousand dollars"
81 think you're biting Off your nose
to spite your face. Uncle Seth. The
Laguna Grande Lumber company
needs that outlet. In dollars and
cents, what is II worth to the com
panyT'
''If thought couldn't get II from
Cardigan few months from now, I'd
go ms high as hundred thousand for
II tonight" he answered coolly.
"In that event, ! advise you to take
Il for fifty thousand. It's terribly
hard on old Mr.. Cardigan to have to
sell It, even Mt that price"
"You do not understand these mat
tiers, Shirley. Don't try. And don't
waste your sympathy on that old
humbug. He has TO dig up fifty thou
sand dollars to pay on his bonded in
debtedness. and he's finding 1t a diff.
cult job. He's just sparring for time,
but he'll lose out"
As II to Indicate that he considered
the matter closed, the Colonel drew
his chair toward the fire, picked up
magazine, and commenced idly TO slit
the pages. Shirley studied the back
Of his head for some time. then got
out some fancy work and commenced
plying her needle. And rs she piled
II. a thought, nebulous at first, gradual
ly took form In her head until even
tually she murmured loud enough for
the Colonel to hear:
"I'n do It."
"Do what?" Pennington queried.
Something nice for somebody who
did something nice for me-" she an.
swered.
About two o'clock the following aft
ernoon old Judge Moore of the STU
periOr court of Humboldt county, drift
ed into Bryce Cardigan's Office, sat
down unlimited, and lifted his long
legs to the top OF an adjacent chair.
"Well. Bryce, my boy" he began,
"a little bird tells me your daddy is
considering the sale of Cardlgan's
- IS els. oil 90
How about it?"
Bryce stared at him a moment ques-
tioningly. "Yes. judge" he replied,
swell sell, II we get our price"
"Well," his visitor drawled. II have
client who might be persuaded. I'm
here to talk turkey. What's your
price?"
Before we talk price" Bryce par
ried, II want you TO answer a ques-
ton"
LET her fly," said Judge Moore.
Are you, directly or Indirectly, act
ing for Colonel Pennlngton?"
That's none Of your business young
man--at least, 1t would be none of
your business II were, directly or in
acting for that unconvicted
thief. To the best OF my information
and belief, Colonel Pennington doesn't |
figure in this deal in any way, shape |
or manner; and as you know, I've been
your daddy's friend for thirty years"
Still Bryce was not convinced, not |
the fact that he would |
have staked his honor on the judges |
veraclty. Nobody knew better than he |
In what devious ways the Colonel |
worked. his wonders to perform.
"Well," he said, 81 can name you a |
price. | will state frankly. however,
that | believe 1t 10 be over your head. |
We have several times refused TO sell |
to Colonel Pennington for a hundred
thousand dollars"
Suddenly he paused before her.
MORA, you're a lucky GIRL he de-
clared. II thought this morning you
were going back TO kitchen in log
cling camp. 1t almost broke my heart
TO think of fate's swindling you like
hat" He put his arm around her and
gave her brotherly hug, TITS
autumn In the woods, MORA, and all
The underbrush Is golden"
She smiled, though II was winter In |