Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-02-11
CHAPTER III.

The morning following his decision
to play the role Of angel to Billy
Gearys mining concession in Sobrante,
John Stuart Webster, like Mr., Pepys,
was up betlmes.
Nine o'clock found him in the office
of his friend Joe Daingerfeld, Of the
Bingham engineering works, where,
within the hour he had in his charac-
teristically decisive fashion purchased
the machinery for ten-stanp mill. 1t
was a nice order, and Daingerfeld
was delighted.
This is going to cost you about half
your fortune, Jack" he informed Web
ster when the order was finally
made up.
Webster grinned. you don't sup
pose I'm chump enough to pay for IT
now, do you, Joe?" he queried.
I'm going first to scout the coun-
try and in the meantime keep all this
stuff in your warehouse until | au-
thorize you by cable to ship, when
YOU can draw on me at sight for the
entire invoice with bill of lading at
tached. If, upon investigation, find
that this mine isn't all my partner
thinks it is, I'll cable a cancellation,
and you can tear that nice fat order
up and forget 1t"
From Dainger6eld's office Webster
went forth to purchase a steamer
trunk. his railway ticket and sleep
ing car reservatiOn-after which he
returned to his hotel and set about
packing for the journey.
Old Neddy Jerome, as sour and
cross as a setting hen, accompanied
him in the taxicab to the station, 10th
to let him escape and pleading to the
last. in fOrlOrn hope that Jack Web
ster's better nature would triumph over
his friendship and bOyish yearnlng
for adventure. He chung to Webster's
arm as they walked slowly down the
track and paused at the steps of the
car containing the wanderers reserva-
ton, just as a porter, carrying some
hand baggage, passed them by, fol
lowed by a girl in green tailor-made
suit, AS she passed, John Stuart Web
ster looked fairly into her face, started
as if bee-stung, and hastily lifted his
hat. The girl briefly returned his
scrutiny with sudden interest decided
she did not know him, and reproved
him with a glance that even passe old
Neddy Jerome did not fail to assimi-
late.
Wow, VOW he murmured. "The
next time you try that, Johnny Web
ster he sure you're right"
Good land O. Goshen, Neddy," Web
ster replied. FRY me in bread
crumbs, if that isn't the same girl!
Let me go, Neddy. Quick Goodbye,
old chap. I'm on my way"
Nonsense The train doesn't pull
out for seven minutes yet. Who is
she John, and why does she excite
you 500"
"Who is she, you ancient horse
thief? Why, if I have my way-and
Tn certainly going to try to have it
she's the future Mrs. w"
alas! Poor Yorick, I knowed him
well" Jerome answered. Take tip
from the old man, John. I've been
through the mill and I know. Never
marry a girl that can freeze you with
n glance. 1t isn't safe BY the way,
what's the fair charmer's name"
1--WE got it down in my memoran-
dun hook but I can't recall it this min
Spanish name"
"John. my dear boy, be careful
Neddy Jerome cOunseled. "Stick to
your own kind Of people Is this
-a-er-a nice girl John?"
"How do 7 know mean, how dare
you ask? OF course, she's nice. Can't
you see she is? And besides why
should you be so fearful"
an have you understand, young
man, that ! have considerable interest
in the girl you're going to marry. BY
the way, where did you first meet this
girl? Who introduced yOu?
81 haven't met her. and I've never
been introduced" Webster complained
and poured forth the tale of his ad
venture on the train from Death val
ley. Neddy was very sympathetic.
"Well, no wonder she didn't recOg
nlze you when you saluted her to
night" he agreed. Thought you were
another brute of a man trying to make
a mash. BY thunder, Jack, I'm afrait
you made a mistake when you shet
your whlskers and buried your ole
clothes"
81 don't care what she thinks.
found her I lost her, and I've founC
her again. and I'm not going to TAX