The Adair County news., 1921-02-23
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER L-Pioneer in the California
redwood region, John Cardigan, at forty
seven, is the leading citizen of Seouoia,
owner of mills, ships, and many acres of
TIMBER, widower after three years of
married life, and father of two-day-old
Bryce Cardigan.
CHAPTER II.-At fourteen Bryce makes
the acquaintance of Shirley Sumner, a vis-
ttor to Sequoia, and his junior by few
the Giants, sacred to John Cardigan and
his son as the burial place of Bryce's
mother, and part with mutual regret.
lege John Cardigan meets with heavy
business losses and for the first time Views
the future with uncertainty.
college, and a trip abroad, Bryce Cardi-
gan comes home. On the train he meets
Shirley Sumner, on her way to SeQuoia to
make her home there with her uncle,
fathers eyesight has failed and that Col.
Pennington is seeking to take advantage Of
the old mans business misfortunes.
Giants young Cardigan finds tree felled
directly across his mothers grave. Ind1-
cations are that 1t was cut down to secure
the burl, and evidence seems to show that
Rondeau, are Implicated in the outrage.
CHAPTER vI-Dining with Col. PEN
nington and his niece, Bryce finds the
ing his suspicious of Pennington's guilt.
In diplomatic way. .unperceived by Shir-
ley, the two men declare war.
renew his logging contract with the Cardi-
gans, believing his action means bank
ruptcy for the latter. Bryce forces Rom
deau to confess he felled the tree in the
Valley of the Giants, at Pennington's or
der. After Furnishing the man, Bryce
hurls him at Col Pennington, who, with
Shirley, had witnessed the fight. Penning-
ton is humiliated, and the girl, indignant,
orders Bryce to leave her and forget their
friendship. He leaves, but refuses to ac-
cept dismissal
: We'll, this morning young Cardigan
came to my office, reminded me that
the contract would expire by limita-
tion next year and asked me to renew
1t, and at the same freight-rate. /
offered to renew the contract but at
a higher freight-rate, and explained to
him that 1 could not possibly continue
to haul his logs at loss. Well, right
me a robber; whereupon 1 informed
him that since he thought me robber,
perhaps we had better not attempt to
have any business dealings with each
other-that really didn't want his
contract at any price, having scarcely
sufficient rolling stock to handle my
own logs That made him calm down,
but in a little while he lost his head
again and grew snarly and abusive
to such an extent, indeed, that finally
was forced to ask him TO leave my
Office"
Nevertheless, Uncle Seth, 1 cannot
understand why he should make such
furious attack upon your employee" /"
The Colonel laughed with a fair
Imitation of sincerity and tolerant
amusement. "My dear, that is no
mystery to me. Cardigan picked on
Rondeau for the reason that a few
days ago he tried to hire Rondeau
away from me-offered him twenty-five
dollars a month more than vas pay
ing him, by George! OF course when
ROndeau came to me with Cardigan's
proposition, promptly met Cardigan's
bid and retained Rondeau; consequent
ly Cardigan hates us both and took the
earliest opportunity to vent his spite
on u.s."
The Colonel sighed and brushed the
dirt and leaves from his tweeds.
'sThunderl" he continued philosophi-
cally, "it's all in the game, so why
worry over it? And why continue to
discuss an unpleasant topic, my dear?'
Her uncle took her gently ny the
arm and steered her toward the ca
boose. "WeIl, what do you think OF
your company now?" he demanded
gayly.
81 think" she answered soberly
''that you have gained an enemy worth
while and that it behooyes you not tc
underestimate him."