Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-01-07
The Losing Venture
By VICTOR, REDCLIFFE
&c. 1870. Western Nrwspnr,r u,,,n

W
for me-"
Lawyer Eben Trcyser regarded his
oio'tme Client, Winston barrow. with
aiia"e'nent. See here" hs burst
Forth. whats got into you?"
IlrednesS of tho town. It's slowncss.
my carping, borrowing relatives and
the dull. way-back methods Of bust
ness hereabouts. am only fifty. and
nave the business impulse stronger
tnan ever. Rosalic Is In the very hey
Suay OF life and Is wearied OF our pres
tent environment, and l hear of old
friends with half my capital and abil-
ity who are making big Roadway in
Texas and I'm going to enter the lists
myself"
FOOLISH" commented Treyser tersc-
~ and with bluutneSs. you have n,
competence rs ii is. You're not the
man Tor luxury or oXtravagance. Why
not be contented with the even. com
Portable life you are livins?" but OAR
row was positive and stubborn. He
had got a rowing, speculative streak
into his mind and nothing could turn
him from 1T, at least, for the present.
He told the truth when he indica ted
mat KOsalie too. was eager for q
change. Life with her widowed father
had been humdrum and unevcntful.
she read and heard Of world I'm.
known to her and longed for an expc-
Renee In the same. Within a month
the Darrows babe good-by to Way
Vile and were located In one of the
largest cities OF TeXus Everything
was oil In that speculative market
and barrow dabbled in some shares,
made little money and determined
to emerge from the humble, plodding
being he had been into the dangerous
role of tha~promoter.
He had rented furnished house.
had secured housekeeper and
through a letter of introduction to IL
friend found in Mrs. David Alloway
trusty chaperone for Rosalie. They
went to the theaters regularly, were
invited to some really important social
functions, and there was change and
excitement for both father and daugh-
ter. 1t was at reception that Ros-
allie met two young men whose nc
quaintanceShip meant a good deal 10
her as to her later life. s
Wallace Thorpe, young lively, full
OF brilliant schemes and TO all appear
ances Il model young man captivated
RoSnlie quite at the start. Over Mr..
barrow he gained an instantaneous
and powerful influence He and OAR
row were cloSeted together daily after
they had become acquainted, but
Thorpe found time also to show at
tention to Rosalie, and he acted the
true gallant chcyalier IN all respects.
In the meantime Rosalie had become
acquainted with Boyd Dayton, n young
attorney The first time he found
a rival in Thorpe his brow darkened
and he viewed with suspicion and dis
trust his familiarity with Mr. barrow.
II don't like the looks of things"
lac told his sister, after dcscrlan4 ~
beauty md grace of Rosalie 80 h1ne
ing at a strong predilectiop O. Akah
quarter "She Is an esurHaoEo 0~g
lady and would make c00 wife.
Her father Is honest, but 1Rahlous.
You know the reputation Of Wallace
ThOrpe-a schemer for his own ends
and fear he will involve Mr.. Darrow
in some deal where he will lose all his
hnrd-earned fortune.
Dayton was sure of some sinister
design OIL the part Of Thorpe. when
one evening he called upon Resale
and was npprised of the fact that Mr..
barrow and Thorpe had gone away to
look over promising oil tract III the
souihca stern part Of the state.
Papa is very much Interested" said
itosalie, "and Mr. Thorpe has made
a!m what he thinks is wonderful
Co."
ruj on said nothin@, but he was
fully convinced that Thorpe had net
,ed his Innocent victim When Mr.. Oar
ruw returned.
welt. own the Round Prairie
lraet" h" stated sviih apination.
You never allowed that WORKOUT
prospect 10 be loaded down upon yon,''
Dayton vas inipcilcd 10 cxciaim.
"Why. what do yon menn?' Gues-
toned Mr.. DHrrOw. almost rescntful,y.
"1ha, II las been The lure and play
thing or professional promoters for
years" replied Dayton.
Thorpe did not show himself again.
Within n month MIR. Dnrrow knew
that lie had been swindled. Nearly
every dollar he possessed had gone
into the .ill-fated Round PraYic dcnI.
and lie had learned that IT was tract
of absolutely worthless land that
would not sell for ten dollars IN acre.
1t was then that Dayton became
more attentive and tender to Resale
than ever before.
One day Boyd Dayton came to them
with great news. BY mere accident
he had learned of railroad projected