The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-02-06
CHAPTER VI.

"uHlcVcT Tic ELECT VI lHlS CONVEX.
sation had been upon Edith, she con-
cealed it carefully, and Dave counted
1t one of the fortunate events of his
life. He had been working under the
spur of his passion for Irene, but now
this was to be supplemented by the
friendship Of Edith. That it was o
than friendship on her part did not
occur to him at all, but he knew she
vas interested in him and he vas
doubly determined that he would
justify her interest and confidence.
But just at this time another Incl
dent occurred which was to turn the
food of his life into strange channels.
Dave had been promoted to the distinc-
ton of q private ofice-a little six-by-
six box STALL" as the sport editor de-
scribed it-but, nevertheless. a dis
tinctiOn shared only with the manag-
Of the wOman's page. Her name was
Roberta. but she was masculine to the
tips and everybody called her Bert.
Into Dawes sanctuary one after
noon in October came Coward. His
habitual cigarette hung from its ac-
customed short tooth. and his round.
ford face seemed puffier than usual.
His aversion to any exercise more Wig
orous than offered by a billiard u
was beginning to reflect itself in a
premature rotundity of figure.
"'LO, Dave!" he said. "Alone?"
nAlpnccto coiA naya without 1nnE.
ing up from his typewriter. Then.
turning. he Kicked the door shut with
his heel and said, "Shoot!"
This strenuous life is spelling your
good manners. Dave. my boy" said
Coward, lazily exhaling a thin cloud
Of smoke. IF work made a man rich
you'd die a millionaire. But 1t isn't
work that makes men rich. Ever think
Of that?"
'If a man does not become rich by
work he has no right to become rich
at ALL" Dave retorted.
"What do you mean by that word
right Dave? Define It."
Haven't time. We 60 to press at
four"
That's the trouble with fellows like
you." Coward continued. you
haven't time. You stick too close to
your Jobs. You never see the better
chances lying all around. Now sup
pose you let them 60 to press without
you today and you listen to me for .
while"
Dave a about to throw him out
when q gust Of yearning for the open
spaces swept over him again. 1t was
true enough. He was giving his whole
life to his paper. Promotion vas slow,
and there was no prospect of a really
big position at any time. He remem-
bered Mr.. Duncan's remark about
newspaper training being the best
preparation for something else. With
sudden decision he closed his desk.
Shoot" he said again, but this time
with less Impotence.
That's better" said Coward.
slave you ever thought Of the future
OF this town."
"Well, l can't say that I have. I've
been busy with It's present"
That's what 1. supposed. You've
been too busy with the details Of your
little job to give attention to bigger
things. Now let me pass you a few
pieces OF notwithstanding you
must know. but you have V put
them together before. What are the
natural elements which make q coun-
try or city a desirable place to live7
Ys11 All va, Ultimate tr0 concentration
good water. variety Of landscape, op-
portunity Of Independence. Given
these conditions, everything else can
be added. Then there's transporta-
tion. This Il one Of the few centers
In America which has q NOrth-and-
South trade equal t its East-and- West
trade. We're on the crossroads. Every
settler who goes into the North-and
II 10 Z mighty North-means more
North-and-S0uth trade. l tell you.
Dave, the movement is on now. and
before long It'll hit us like . tidal
wave. I've been q bit OF q gambler
all my life, but this Ii the biggest
Jackpot ever was, and I'm going to
sit In. How about your" NJ
I'D like to think It over. Promo
ton doesn't come very fast on this job.
that's sure"
YES. and while ron are thinking Il
y 9 chances are slipping BY. Don't
think II over-put It over. tell you.
Dave. there are. big things IN the air.
They are beginning to move already,
Have you noticed the strangers Ii