The Raymer enterprise., 1920-10-28
CHAPTER xi-contlnued,

aowly. "that at firSt sight this Is
queer thing for me to do--to check up
four property. mean--when you and
have had such an intimate relation
chip a. opponents. And wouldn't for
the world have agreed to 1t II II could
lave had the slightest connection with
:. with your own private affairs.
Il hasn't-lt can't have. I give you
ny word on that; It's been settled
without the slightest reference to any.
thing else. But since 1t hasn't. and
since Rufus asked me as a favor
and promised to tell you about It
and it's absolutely copmercal-"
That's enough. I'm glad you're
going to do It." billiards voice was
gruif; It was a tribute to his compan.
Ions code Of ethics. "Know anything
about mInIng"
"Not thing. But I'm to 20 to q law
6rm in Butte-and Of course It's only
I formality, anyway. III probably find
It's better than you ever claimed. But
Rufe asked me-"
II see. Well-now about this other
matter :"
Armstrong was watching the west
bound express rs 1t felt Its cautious
way through Railroad avenue to the
station.
"Yesf
HIiliard was suddenly ashamed Of
himself, he was forced TO concede that
his rival had the advantage Of him In
polse and alirulsm. He shook himself
free Of the savage resentment which
was stealing upon him.
"We're only human-both OF US.
Perhaps-under the circumstances
the best thing we cax ANY Is to say
nothing . except lhat ! wish you
oil the luck In the world. don't pre-
tend 1t isn't u hard thing to say-but
I'm trying to mean 1t. And you GER
talnly 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 HiIllard, grimly. "I'll
need It. But don't be afraid to send
Rufus your honest opnion-wIll your"
"No-ands sI'll send II to you, too.
That's only >falr. I'd bette. be
starting"
They shook hands again across TIE
wheel.
you're good sport. Armstrong
don't think I've got any resent.
ment left :. . except II bit that can't
quite swallow on short notice. :"
II know. But you don't need to
worry. old man. Your futures bright
enough--as hope to wirs Rufus about
Saturday"
Too late, Hilllard perceived that
they were talking at cross-purposes-
Armstrong was evidently thinking
about the mins. But there was time
only for last gesture OF farewell !;
and Armstrong had disappeared in the
depths Of the tralnshed. Armstrong
the victor. and the inQuistlOner
was on the road to Butte!
Work, hard work. the panacea and
the salvation of those who are sore
distressed. even this cheapest relief
was denied Hilliard. He was left alone
with his problem, wrestling with 1t
once more In the black darkness Of de-
spondency. and knowing neither a
means Of simplifying 1t. nor n coun-
selor to whom he could turn for aid.
He conceded that there was only one
thing for him to do. and he intended to
do It. but he was harassed because he
had so much time to think about It.
Not since the first sickening shock Of
Harlnon's revelation had he doubted
his own purpose; II was merely the
machinery Of 1t which perplexed him.
His confidence In himself gradually
returned; he was abnormally calm and
determined; he had no more Idea Of
resisting his impulses than he would
have had. In Flanders, Of dsobeying
his orders. The thing was there to be
done. and he. regardless Of his own fu.
ture, was there to do It.
Overnight. he had occupied himself
with some elementary accounting.
With Harmon's check. his outstand.
ing balance for expenses. and what
money he could raise by selling his
runabout and few personal posses.
sions. he had on hand a matter Of
nlnety.six hundred dollars; Syracuse
had entrusted him with sixty.two thou.
sand. To compromise pro rata with
his creditors-this was apparently his
only resource. and yet how insufficient
4 reparatlon II was! He knew that It
had been his duty to investigate the
Montana property before he began to
exploit Il; be knew that his self.intro-
duction to Syracuse had been blatant.
II inexcusable. and that not even the
fact that he had been carried away BY
the drama Of II could ever be excused.
His intricate fabric Of deception. now
that be Inspected It from this different
viewpoint. was flmsy-shoddy. he
could be traced-if anyone cared to
spend the time. and the energy. II
Arhstrong-or Rufus Waring- cared
= aoen1 4, for s1ampla OF courss.