The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-07-15
CHAPTER l
The Reaching Of a Decision.

FOR the second time that night
Frederick Cavendsh. sitting at small
table In busy cafe where the night
life of the city streamed continually
In and out regarded the telegram
spread out upon the white napery. 1t
read:
"Bear Creek, Colorado, 4-2-5.
"Frederlck Cavendish, College Club,
New York City.
"Found big lead; lost 1t again. Need
you badly. westcott."
For the second time that night, too.
a picture rose before him, picture of
great plains, towering mountains, and
open spaces that spoke of the freedom
and health of outdoor living. He had
known that life once before, when he
and Jim Westcott had prospected and
hit the trail together, and its appeal
TO him now after three years of shall
low sightseeing In the city was deeper
than ever.
"Good old jim" he murmured,
'struck pay-dirt at last only to lose 1t
and he needs me. BY George, l think
I'll co."
And why should he not7 Only
twenty-nine, he could still afford to
spend a few years in search of living.
His fortune left him at the death of
his father was safely invested, and
he had no close friends In the city and
no relatives, except cousin. John
Cavendish. for whom he held no love,
and little regard.
He had almost determined upon 60
ing to Bear Creek to meet Westcott,
and was calling for his check when
his attention was arrested by noisy
party of four that boisterously took
seats at nearby table. Cavendish
recognized the two women as members
of the chorus of the prevailing Revue,
one Of them Celeste La Rue, an ag-
gresslve blonde with thin lips and n
metallic voice, whose name was syn
onymous with midnight escapades
and flowing wine. His contemptuous
smile at the sight Of them deepened
into n disgusted sneer when he saw
that one of the men was John Caven-
dish, his cousin.
The two mems eyes met, and the
younger, slight. mild-eyed youth with
a listless chin, excused himself and
presented himself at the elders table.
"wont you join us?" he. said ner-
vously.
Frederick Cavendish's trim, bearded
Jaw tightened and he shook his head
-'They are not my people," he said
shortly, then retreating, begged, John
when are you going to cut that sort
Out?"
"You make me weary!" the boy
snapped. ITS easy enough for you
TO talk when you've got all the money
that gives you an excuse to read me
moral homilies every time / ask you
fer dollar, but Miss La Rue is as
good as any one Of your friends any
day"
The other controlled himself
''What is 1t you want?" he demanded
directly. Money? If so, how much 2
"a hundred will do" the younger
man said eagerly. 81 lost a little OF
cards lately, and have to borrow. To
night / met the girl"
Frederick Cavendish silenced hin
and rendered him the bills. "Now,
- he said gravely, 'this is the last, un
less you cut out such people as Celeste
La Rue and others that you train with
I'm tired of pHytng bills for your inan'
extravaganza ind parties. I eau cur
tail your ircome and what's more.
will unless you change"
For moment the dlsslpated you'll
surveyed his cousin, then an angr,
flush mounted into his pasty face.
"You--you-- he suffered, "-yo'
go to hell"
without another word the eide
Cavendish summo oned the waiter. pai'
the bill, and walked toward the door
John started after him. smile of derl
sion on his face. He had heard Cavep
dish threaten before.
When Frederick Cevendlsh reache
the street and the fresh night al
raced through his lungs he came to
sudden realization and then a resolu
tion. The realization was that sine
further pleading would avail nothin
with Johs Cavcndish, he needed LEI