The Dolores star., 1920-10-15
CHAPTER xi-continued.

~ moperty, | mean-when you and
Ave had such an intimate relation
N 4, opponents. And I wouldn't for
vorld have agreed to It II It could
~ had the slightest connection with
with your own private affairs.
san't-It can't have. give you
word on that; it's been settled
ABOUT the slightest reference to any
n, else. But since 1t hasn't. and
M Rufus asked me as a favor
I'D promised to tell you about it
,d rs absolutely commercial"
That's enough. I'm glad you're
cIur to do It." billiards voice was
uf !. II was a tribute to his compan-
oos code of ethics. know anything
bout mining?"
-Not thing. But I'm to go to law
m iu Butte-and Of course it's only
formallty. anyway. I'll probably find
KS better than you ever claimed. But
Rute asked me-"
Il see. WcII-now about this other
natter >.
Armstrong was watching the west
bound express as II felt its cautious
way through Railroad avenue to the
ratiOn.
"Yes?'
Hllard was suddenly ashamed of
himself; he was forced to concede that
bis rival had the advantage Of him in
polse and altrulsm. He shook himself
free OF the savage resentment which
vas stealing upon him.
"We're only human-both of US.
Perhaps-under the circumstances
the best thing we can say Is to say
nothing except that wish you
Ll the luck in the world. l don't pre-
tend It isn't hard thing to say-but
I'm trying to mean 1t. And you GER
h!nly deserve it."
"And to you" said Armstrong cheer
fully. "And no bad feelings on either
side. And | hope your mine makes a
million dollars for you
Thanks" said HIlliard. grimly. "I'll
u''u IT. pul boH bt Hiiuiu " Seht
Rufus your honest oplnion-will your"
"No-and I'll send 1t to you. too.
That's only fair. I'd better be
starting"
They shook hands again across TIE
wheel.
You're n good sport. Armstrong
.. don't think I've got any resent
ment left except II bit that cant
quite swallow on short notice. :"
Il know. But you don't need to
worry, old man. Your futures bright
enoush-as hope to wirs Rufus about
Saturday,"
Too late, HIlliard perceived that
tney were talking at cross-purposes-
armstrong wan evidently thinking
ABOUT the mInt. But there was time
only for last gesture OF farewell /;
ana Armstrong had disappeared in the
uepths of the trainshed. Armstrong
:. the victor. and the inquIsitioner
-. was on the road to Butte!
WORK. hard work. the panacea and
he salvation of those who are sore
distressed, even this cheapest relief
was denied HillIard. He was left alone
WIN MS problem. wrestling with 1t
'nce more In the black darkness of de-
'pondency, and knowing neither a
means of simplifying 1t. nor a coun-
'e'or TO whom he could turn for aid.
: he conceded that there was only one
u"s FOR him to do. and he intended to
W IT. but he was harassed because he
aau so much time to think about it.
no' Nv since the first sickenIng shock of
nar'non's revelation had he doubted
l'S own purpose; 1t was merely the
rn,aVn'hery n,N of 1t which perplexed him.
u. " confidence In himself gradually
a.. s.ufhen he was abnormally calm and
se'erihihed; he had no more idea of
hHuhs hS MS Impulses than he would
ha'e h,. nad' In Flanders, OF disobeying
', a.S ofuers. The thing was there to be
tyne' and he. regardless of his own fu-
s'ute was there to do II.
s,., overnight. he had occupied himself
/ -" some elementary accounting.
WIN Harmon's check, his outstand.
me. ms balance for expenses. and what
nrn.. u.s ne could raise by selling his
,,on "apout and a few personal possess
Hns' D,. he had on hand matter Of
haa h..y'slx hundred dollars: Syracuse
,on. e'i'rusted him with sixty-two thou
bIs @ 10 compromise pro rata with
on,, 'ealtors-thIs was apparently his
, ~. resource. and yet how insufficient
h.s hsparation 1t was! He knew that it
NJ. neen his duty to Investigate the
.,SSa1 .ana property before he began to
dnc.,a 1,. II; he knew that his self-intro-
i, on ,a TO Syracuse had been blatant
a.. ,..u.eAcusable. and that not even the
ths d u'a' he had been carried away by
n. urama % Of It could ever be excused.
Tia, ha'r,cate h fabric of deception, now
us.ain ne inspected It from this different
enr,s e,polnt was fiimsy-shoddy. He
Oers ne m traced-lf anyone cared to
Ar. u the time. and the energy, II
= ~ong-or Rufus waring-cared
It. for example. OF course.