Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-07-09
CHAPTER n
The Reaching Of a Decision.


For the. second time that night
Frederick Cavendish, 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
reads M
Bear Creek, Colorado. 4-2-5.
Frederick Cavendish, College Club,
New York City.
"Found big lead lost it 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 prospeeted 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.
'struek pay-dirt at last only to lose 1t
and he needs me, BY George, think
I'll CO."
And why should he not2f Only
Twenty-Five, 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 a cousin, John
Cavendish, for whom he held no love-
and little regard.
He had almost determined upon go
ing to Bear Creek to meet Westcott,
and was calling for his check when
his attention was arrested by O 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-
gressive blonde with thin lips and a
metallic voice, whose name was syn
onymous with midnight escapades
and flowing wine. His contemptuous
smile at the sight Of them deepened
into disguised sneer when ne saw
that one of the men was John Gwen
dish. his cousin.
The two mems eyes met, and the
younger, slight, miid-eyed youth with
a listiess chin, excused himself and
presented himself at the elders table.
won't you join us9' he said ner-
vously.
Frederick Cavendisll's trim. bearded
Jaw frightened 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
out7".
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
for dollar. but Miss La Rue IL as
good rs any one OF your friends any
day.
Tie other controlled himself.
sWhat Is it you wantg' he demanded
directly. Money! If so, how much9"
"a hundred will do" the younger
man said eagerly. Il lost a little ON
cards lately. and have to borrow. 70
night met the girl-r
Frederick CavendIsh silenced him
and rendered him the bills. sNow,r
ne said grayely. 'this IL the last. I'M
less you cut out such people as Celeste
La hue and others that you train with.
I'm tired Of paying bills for your lnane
extravaganza and parties. ] can cur
tan your income and what's more. l
I'm s..,S.szs. ,,... chono-o
For q moment the disslpated youth
surveyed his cousin, then m angry
flush mounted into his pasty face.
aYon--you--" he suffered. you
20 10 hell"
without another word the elder
Cavendlsh summoned the waiter. paid
the bin. and walked toward the door.
John started after him. smile Of deFs-
sion On his face. He had heard Caven-
disIl threaten before.
when Frederick cavendIsh reached
the street and the fresh night air
raced through his lungs he came 10
sndaen realization and then = resolu-
ton. TIE realization was that since
further pleading would avail nothing
xfsA John caseAdish, he needed : les