The Mena weekly star., 1920-08-05

and most beautiful specimens oi 1e'- wood burl ever turned out in this country. The grain is not merely wavy; it is not merely curly; It IS actually so contrary that you have here. Colonel Pennington, room ah.
 solutely unique, in that 1t Is formed of bird's-eye burl. Mark the deep shadows in 1t. And how 1t does reflect those candies l"
 Tt is beautiful. the Colonel de clared. And I must confess to pardonable pride in it, although the task of keeping these walls from be. ing marred by the furniture knocking against them requires the utmost care"
 Bryce turned and h!s brown eyes blazed Into the Colonel's. Where did you succeed in finding such marvel GUS tree?" lie queried pointedly. T know of but one tree in Humboldt county that could have produced such beautiful buri"
 For about second Colonel Penning- ton met Bryce's glance unwaveringly then he read something in his guests eyes, and his glance shifted while over his benign countenance flush spread quickly. Bryce noted it, and his quickly reused suspicious were as quickly kindled into certainty. "Where did you find that treeT' he repeated innocently.
 "Rondeau, my woods-boss, knew was on the lookout for something special--something nobody else could get; so he kept his eyes open"
 'Indeedi" There was just trace of Irony in Bryce's tones as he drew Shirley's chair and held it for her. You are fortunate to have such woodsboss In your employ. Such loyal fellows are usually too good to be true, and quite frequently they put their blankets on their backs and get out of the country when you least ex- pect 1t. I dare say 1t would be shock to you if Rondeau did that"
 There was no mistaking the yelled threat behind that apparently innocent observation. and the Colonel, being a man of more than ordinary astute- ness. realized that at last he must place his cards on the table. "Yes," he said, q would be rather disappoint- ed. However, pay Rondeau rather more than 1t Is customary to pay woods-bosses; so imagine he'll stay unless. of course, somebody takes a notion to run him out of the country. And when that happens, want to be on hand to view the spectacle"
 Bryce sprinkled modicum of salt in his soup. I'm going up Into Town ship nine tomorrow afternoon" he remarked casually. T think shall go over to your camp and pay the in- comparable Jules brief visit"
 Again the Colonel assimilated the hint. but preferred to dissemble. "Oh, you can't steal him from me, Cardi- gan," he laughed. T warn you In ad- vance-so spare yourself the effort
 ''IlI try anything once" Bryce re torted with equal good nature. How ever, don't want to steal him from you. want to ascertain from him where he procured this burl."
 "He wouldn't tell you"
 He might. I'm persuasive little cuss when choose to exert myself
 'Rondeau Is not communicative. He requires lots of persuading."
 What delicious soup!'' Bryce mur- mured blandly. Miss Sumner, may l have cracker?'
 The dinner passed pleasantly; the and defiance between guest and host had been so skillfully and exchanged that Shirley hadn't the slightest suspicion that these two well-groomed men had, un- der her very nose. as 1t were, agreed | to be enemies and then, for the time being, turned their attention to other and more trifilng matters A sprightly conversation continued for an hour. Then the Colonel, secret ly enraged at the calm. mocking, con- giances which Bryce ever and anon bestowed upon him, and un- able longer to convince himself that l he was too apprehensive--that this cool vcung snan Enew nothing and would do nothing even if he knew something rose, pleaded the necessity 1 for looking over some papers, and batie i Bryce goodnight. Foollshly he proffered Bryce limp hand; and demon of deviltry taking possession of | the latter. he squeezed 1t with simple. hearty earnestness, the while he said |
 Colonel Pennington. hope do not have to assure you that my visit 1 here this evening has not only been delightful -er-instrucfive. Good | night, sir. and pleasant dreams"
 With difficulty the Colonel suppress ed q groan. However, he was not the sort of man who suffers in silence for minute later the butler, leaning over the hanistass t his master climb ed the stairs to his library. heard the latter curse with an eloquence that was singnIarly appealing.
 (To be continued.)