The Adair County news., 1921-02-23
CHAPTER TX.


ported his battered young master back
to Sequoia. Here Bryce sought the
doctor in the Cardigan Redwood Lum-
Der company's little hospital and had
his wrecked nose recognized and his
cuts bandaged. 1t was Characteristic
of his fathers son that when this de-
tail had been attended to, he should go
to the Office and work until the six
o'clock whistle blew.
Old Cardigan was waiting for him
at the gate when he reached home.
George Sea Otter had already given
the old man a more or less garbled ac-
count of the runaway log-train, and
Cardigan eagerly awaited his sons ar
rival in order to ascertain the details
of this new disaster which had come
upon them. For disaster 1t was, In
truth. The loss of the logs was trifling
perhaps three or four thousand dol
lars; the destruction of the rolling
stock was the browning misfortune.
Both Cardigans knew that Pennington
would eagerly seize upon that point to
stint his competitor still further OF
logging equipment, that there would
be delays-purposeful but apparently
Observation-Disclosures this lost rolling
stock would be replaced. And in the
interim the Cardigan mill, unable to
get a sufficient supply of logs to fill
orders in hand. would be forced to
close down.
well, son." said John Cardigan
mildly as Bryce Unmatched the gate,
another bump, eh?"
Eyes, sir-right on the nose"
Il meant another bump to your
heritage, my son."
I'm worrying more about my nose,
partner. In fact, Pm not worrying
about my heritage at all. I've come to
a decision on that point: We're going
to fight and fight to the last; we're go
ing down fighting. And by the way,
started the fight this afternoon. /
whaled the wadding out Of that buckO
woods-boss of Pennington's, and as a
special compliment to you, John Cardi-
gan, did an almighty fine Job of
cleaning. Even went so far as to
muss the Colonel up a little"
Wow, wow. Brycel Bully for you
| wanted that man Rondeau taken
apart. He has terrorized our woods
men for long time. He's king of the
mad-train, you know"
Bryce was relieved. His father did
not know, then. Of the act of vandal-
ism in the Valley of the Giants. This
fact strengthened Bryce's resolve not
to tell him.
: Arm In arm they walked up the gar
den path together.
Just as they entered the house, the
telephone In the hall tinkled, and
Bryce answered.
'Mr. Cardigan" came Shirley Sum-
ner's voice over the wire.
Bryce" he corrected her.
She ignored the correction.
Il don't know what to say to
you," she faltered. 81 rang up to tell |
you how splendid and heroic your dc
ton was"
81 had my own life to save, Shirley"
"You did not think Of that at the |
time"
WE'LL didn't think of your uncle's,
either" he replied without enthusiasm. |
"Pm sure we never can hope to |
catch even with you, Mr.. Cardigan"
Don't try. Your revered relative
will not; so why should your"
"You are making it somewhat hard
for me toto rehabilitate our friend |
ship. Mr.. Cardigan"
BLESS your heart" he murmured. |
THE very fact that you bothered to |
ring me up at all makes me your |
debtor. Shirley, can you stand some |
plain speaking-between friends, l |
mean?'
81 think so, Mr.. Cardigan"
swell, then" said Bryce, '1isten to
this: am your uncle's enemy until
death do US part. Neither he nor l |
expect to ask or to give quarter, and
I'm going to smash him if 1 can"
eff you do. you smash me-" she
warned him.
Likewise our friendship. I'm sorry,
but it's got to be done If / can do It.
we say good-by, Shirley?"
"Yes-s-s!" There was break In
her voice. "Good-by, Mr.. Cardigan.
wanted to know"
"GOod-byi Well, that's cutting the
he murmured soto voce,
land there goes another bright day
dream" Unknown to himself, he I
spoke directly into the transmitter,
and Shirley, clinging half hopefully to
the receiver at the other end of the
wire, heard him-caught every infiec-
ton of the words. commonplace
enough, but freighted with the pathos
Of Bryce's first real tragedy.
"Oh, Brycel" she cried sharply. But
he did not hear her; he had hung up
his receiver now.
The week that ,ensued was remarka-
Bile for the amount of work Bryce &C.
in the investigation of his
fathers affairs-also for visit from
Donald McTavish, the woods-boss.
Hello, McTavish," Bryce saIuted
the woods-boss cheerfully and extend,
ed his hand for cordial greeting. His
maynard employee stood up, took the
prOffered hand in both of his huge and