The Raymer enterprise., 1920-11-18

need this now Nevertheless. he ~as
bunting for bis check-bOok.
ave don't need I'll simply insisted
on keeping a place open for you. on
the chance that you hadn't changed
your mind"
"You're fully satisfied it's the right
thing for me to do?"
"Yes. Doctor. ] am"
The Doctor held his pen poised 10
the air. I'm not sure I'm really en-.
titled to II. Doesn't II really belong
to some tne who was on the spot last
night?"
HlllIard's eyes twinkled.
you're fond Of talking about mo.
tives. Doctor. You'd have let me
have that money yesterday. wouldn't
you7"
Didn't I offer II to your
"Yes. sir; you did. But was It be.
cause you thought you'd make big
profit. or was It just to help mer
why"
"You see," said Hilliard cheerily,
III you're going to have these merce-
nary motives. you've got to let me
have some. too. I've let friendship
interfere with business twice In two
days. And you're not the only one ]
held q place open for-Rufus and
Jack are In It. too. It was my privilege
to make that condition-and ] did"
The Doctor scribbled rapidly.
"Then ri keep my promise But
would you mind telling me what It Il
I'm buyingr'
Here's your receipt. Doctor" Hill
lizard laid a slip Of paper on the desk
took up the check. and scrutinized Il
carefully. "What you've bought" he
said. rs a twentieth interest In q new
syndicate formed last night. Wen as.
sumo the stock control In New York.
when we get there, by paying some
more cash (and we've got more than
We need already and after that. we
may possibly sell out. or we may 60
ahead and develop the mine ourselves.
don't know yet which; that's what
Mr.. Cullen and are going West TO de-
eide. But you'll be protected anyhow
I'll see to that. And II you're In any
hurry to get your money back"
How soon do you think It'll ber
Hilllard laughed outright; q laugh
Of utter happiness. Fright now. II you
say so."
The Doctor puzzled.
you don't make It clear" he said.
"Then I will. Mr.. Embree. down at
the Trust and Deposit company, was
one Of the men who wanted to get In
with us, and couldn't. He was just
too late. But when | told him what I
was saving out for you, he authorized
me to make you an offer. I'm acting
as his agent. that is, and I've got
check here, and II you want to en-
d0rse that receipt over to him. you can
have this" He presented the bankers
check; the Doctor stared; 1t was pay.
able to himself. signed by Embree,
and written for fifteen thousand dol.
lars.
"Why. HIlliard!" he said. blankly.
''Is that good business? For Embreel
What's behind thIs?"
HIlliard fairly beamed his delight.
swell. II you want my advice, don't
take It! ! told him I'd have to explain
It to you. and he agreed" He sat
straighter. prldefully. "Jack Arm
strong sent another wire this morning
and the XLNC crowd. who own the
property next to ours, know that I've
had this contract for all the Sllverbow
stock. and they've made Us q fat
proposition or'--he caught his breath
-four = hundred - thousand dollars
for the contract! And your twentieth
share would be worth twenty thousand
dollars II we took I'll But we're not
going to-because it's worth still more.
and we know It. Lots more-twice as
much-so-"
The Doctors expression altered
slightly; his chin sank little. and he
sighed. almost In regret.
"That hardly seems fair" he said
slowly. "That hardly seems fair" He
smiled fitfully. and sighed again. "For
years and years." he said, "ever since
I first began to practice. I've been
working and waiting and hoping to
reach the point where ! could give up
office work and do some research. :.
And here. In q few minutes. you dan.
gle two years income In front Of me
for no services of mine at all =,
for no labor on my part :. not, as
I'd hoped. the result Of service, but"
II own a quarter Of the mine my
SELF" said Hilliard. with equal grav.
ity. "And I'm not thinking how ! got
It, Doctor; I'm thinking how much
good ! can do with It -. can't you
look at II that way. toof"
The Doctor nodded presently.
(To BE CoNTINUED)