The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-04-17
LOVES
MESSENGER
BY VICTOR REDCLIFFE

hen Allen Duryea left the train n
Rossville his first move was toward {
little one-story building bearing thu
sign Peter Warne, Real Estate"
I've come here on flying trip" hi
announced, "and If you are able to sci
some property for me I'm ready"
THAT is my line of business" an
swered Warne. shrewdly studying this
straightforward client II the latter
had been more experienced in the
ways of the world he would have con
strued shat false, sinister face.
"Here is the layout" proceeded Dur
yea brlskly. "My uncle died few
months ago and was one OF the bene-
hciaries under his will He left me
the Addison tract. Do you know it?"
Like book" declared Warne at
lies along the river where they have
the water rights, and n good many
plants are likely to go up in time"
That IS my name" apprized tho
other, rendering a card. 81 understand
from the executors that the property
Is worth perhaps thirty thousand dol
| lars. am willing to take something
less If | can dispose of it quickly and
for ready cash, for | am offered an
opportunity TO get into a promising
business partnership If can invest
twenty thousand dollars.
A crafty expression crossed Warne's
face as he rapidly analyzed the situa-
ton: A young and impulsve client. a
stranger and likely to be easily inn
posed upon.
"See here" he suggested, "suppose
you let me drive you over and take
a look at the property. I'm afraid you
will be disappointed"
Duryea was indeed disappointed
when the rattling old buggy driven by
Warne reached broad deep river.
"There's your land" spoke the lat
ter, pointing out n desolate stretch.
low and swampy. Beyond in both di-
rections were high lands. but this spe-
cial expanse made deplorable slump
In the landscape.
"You talk of thirty thousand dol
lars" spoke Warne. "Well in twenty
years and after n fortune spent in
drainage you might get ten--never
more"
All the spice and ambition suddenly
deserted Allen Duryea His high homes
were crushed. He stood ruefully view
ing the unnvitlng spot.
ut looks just as you say" he admit.
ted gloomly. II reckon will have to
begin business life on a more modest
scale than | had blocked out. You've
got my address, See what you can get :,
for the property. BY the way, there
Is no train ctywsrd for several hours
I understands
"That's correct" nodded Warne
you could make it by walking two
miles east and striking trolley" and
he drove off, while Duryea thought.
fully proceeded on, foot. He had gone
about mile when, passing a small
cabin, he paused to view an old mar
IN tears, directing a pltiful appeal to
another, who was reading to him an
)fiicial-looking document.
I'm sorry to distrain, Mr.. Marsh"
spoke the latter "but law is law. You
I'VE fifty dollars and there's a iudg-
nent against you. If you can't pay 1t
shall have to levy on your rig"
You take the bread out of our
mouths If you dol" sobbed Gabriel
Marsh, and just there Duryea stepped
lp to the official
I've a little surplus cash." he said.
and this old mans honest face is good
nough for me. Write out release.
will pay the bill" 4
"Oh, walt ill my daughter comes" 4
leaded Marsh, when he had recovered
rom the first access of gratitude and
oy. ''She is Mabel, and l want to
ave her see and thank the stranger
no has rescued us from ruin. oh,
If! you have an old mans fervent
lessing. There is Mabel noww and
ne speaker ran Gown the road to meet
young girl. Duryea sought vainly to
Scape The overwhelming gratefuness
father and daughter. For the lat -
n, modest, refined, sincere, he formed
n immediate admiration, drawn closer r
$ he heard the story of their strug-
les to keep the wolf from the door.
He did not readily forget Mabel
hen he returned TO the city. More
IAN once he felt drawn to go again
Rossville, and was glad of an ex-
Sc when one day he received letter =
ON Warne, stating that he had found
purchaser of the river tract for four
ousand dollars. Duryea was getting
ady to 60 to Rossville when Mabel
arsh entered his office.
81 have come on a strange mission.
r. Duryea," spoke the young girl. :
We learned of your errand to Ross Re-
lie after you had gone, and father
erheard conversation between
arne and his clerk which showed
at they had a plan on foot to swindle
H. Warne never showed you the land
IL really own, which father says is
)rth great deal of money. Instead,
had a plot to get your property
om you for a song and sell 1t for
immense sum-"
II have come to close our deal for
e forty thousand dollars" announced