Gilpin observer., 1920-04-29
LOVES
MESSENGER
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE

" hei atlen Durye0 le1t the train III
Rossville his first move was toward II
little one-story building bearing the
sign Peter Warne, Real Estate"
i've come here on a flying trip" he
announced. "and II you are able to sell
some property for me I'm ready"
That is my line of business" an
swered Warne, shrewdly studying this
straightforward client. If the latter
mad been more experienced In the
ways of the world he would have con.
strued that false, sinister face.
Here is the layout" proceeded Dur
yea briskly. "My uncle died few
months ago and was one of the bene
nciaries 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 good many
plants are likely to go up in time"
THAT is my name," appriZed the
other, rendering 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 l am offered an
opportunity to get into promising
business partnership II I can invest
| twenty thousand dollars.
A crafty expression crossed Warne's
face as he rapidly analyzed the situa
ton: A young and impulsive client, n
stranger, and likely to be easily Int
posed upon.
"See here" he suggested. suppose
you let me drive y0u over and TAX.
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 d..
| 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 fortune spent in
drainage you might get ten-never
| more"
All the spice and ambition suddenly
deserted Allen Duryea. His high hopes
were crushed. He stood ruefully view.
ing the uninviting spot.
at looks just as you say" he admit,
ted gloomily. 81 reckon will have to
begin business life on 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 cityward for several hours
I understand"
"Thats correct" nodded Warne
"YOu could make II 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 n small
cabin. he paused to view an old man
in tears. directing n pitiful appeal to
another. who was reading to him an
ofiicial-looking document.
! "I'm sorry to distrain, Mr. Marsh.
spoke the latter. "but law is law. You
owe fifty dollars and there's judg
ment against you. If you can't pay II
I shall have to levy on your rig"
"You take the bread out of oul
mouths If you dol" sobbed Gabriel
Marsh, and just there Duryea stepped
up to the official
"Tve a little surplus cash" he said
"and this old mans honest face is gOot
enough for me- Write out n release
/ will pay the bill"
"Oh. wait till my daughter comes.
pleaded Marsh. when he had recovered
from the first access of gratitude ant
joy. "She IS Mabel, and want t.
have her see and thank the stranger
who has rescued us from ruin. Oh
sir! you have nm old mnn's ferven
blessing. There is Mabel now!" ant
the speaker ran down the road to NEE
n young girl. Duryea sought vainly t.
escape the overwhelming gratefulnes'
OF father and daughter. For the Int
ter. modest, refined. sincere. he formed
an Immediate admiration. drawn closer
ns he heard the story Of their strug
giles to keep the wolf from the door.
He did not rendliy forget Mnbe
when he returned to the city. Nor,
than once he felt drawn to go agai
to ROssviile. and was glad of an ex
cuse when one day he received letter
from Warne. stating that he had fount
a purchaser OF the river tract for foul
thousand dollars. Duryea was gettins
ready to go TO Rossville when Mabe
Marsh entered his office.
~ have come on strange mission
MFR. Duryea," spoke the young girl
ave learned Of your errai,i to Ross
vile after you had gone, an.' father
overheard n conversation between
Warne and his clerk which showed
that they had plan on foot IN swin,le
you. Wnrne never showed you the land
you really own. which futher says Is
worth great deal Of money. Instead
| he had plot to get your property