The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-01-13

lead TO nowhere, and II Harris Is M
fortunate-well. he's unfortunate"
The plan gradually penetrated Riles'
slow working mind Al first Il numbed
him n little and his face was strange
color ms he turned TO his companion,
and said. IN low voice, "Ain't II
riskyi What " the police catch orr
They won't. They're all right for
cleaning up n rough house, but don't
cut any figure In fine art work like
Wen put over ! tell you, RIles, It's
absolutely safe. The main thing II to
see that he has the money IN bills I;
anything els would be risky and lead
TO trouble Then this fellow that's
supposed 10 own the mine must be
kept In the background We"
but who does own the mlneT
Gardiner made gesture of exas-
pcration. You don't get me. Hiram.
Nobody owns the mine. That part of
It's all n myth--a fairy tale manufac.
tured because we need II. But Harris
mustn't find that out-not. NJ any
rate. until It's too late. Then II any
thing ever does leak out. suspicion Will
he directed toward some mysterious
mine owner. and the police will be
wearing ont shoe leather hunting the
cracks IN the foot hills while you and
] are taking In the sights of Honolulu
or South America Wei quietly make
nm appointment for Harris to meet the
mine owner somewhere up In the hills.
Wen direct him where to go. and
leave II M that. or course We won't
go with him; wen have other bust
ness about that time"
Rifles looked ~ Gardiner with frank
admiration. II seemed so simple now,
mud In his growing enthusiasm he felt
that he would have little difficulty In
persuading Harris TO raise all the cash
possible and bring II with him. And
II seemed so safe. As Gardiner said.
the mounrains\ Seye full of danger,
and II something sshould happen to.
Hnrris-wpll. he would he unfortu-
nate: hut lots Of other people had been
unfortunate. too.
Gardiner turned his team down a
steep. slippery bank. and drew up be-
side n cluster of ranch buildings shell
tered with cotton woods and spruces.
As the team. In their long. steady trot,
swung M beside the stables, an alert
young fellow came quickly out and
busted himself with the unhitching.
Guess you ought to know our Wis
itor. Jim. shouldn't your" said Gardi.
ner. "Anoiher Manitoban chasing the
free land"
Trayers AZ once recognized Rifles and
extended his hand. well. Mr.. Rlles.
We weren't looking for you here. al
though | suppose ! shouldn't he sur
priSed for there was some talk Of
your coming west before I left Plain
vile. IIow's everybody Harrises
we'll. | hopef'
Guess they're well enough, hut get.
tin kind a. scattered for family
group Bcuah M out when you did
hut guess can't give you no infor-
nation about that"
The smile did NOT depart from Trav-
rs well rs he should he would have
seen the sudden smoldering light in
the eve Rut the Young man answered
quietly. 81 saw Beulah the day ! left
Plainville. and I understood she was
going west on n visit. She isn't back
yetf"
"Innocent. amt chuh?" said Rifles.
in n manner intended To be playful.
ITS all right; don't blame YOU. Beu-
lnh's good girl II hit highfalutin.
an n few years roughin' II on the
homestead1l take that out Of her"
But Jim had dropped the harness
and stood sduarcly facing Ri'es The
smile still fingered on his lips. hut
even the heavy witted farmer saw that
he had been playing with fire. Rifles
was much the larger man of the two,
hut he was no one 10 court combat
unless the odds were overwhelmingly
In his favor. He carried n scar across
his eve as constant reminder of his
folly In having once before invited
trouble from a younger man.
"What do you mean?" demanded
Travers. Put II in English"
But Gardiner interposed. Don't he
too sensitive, Jim" he said "Riles
has forgotten his parlor manners, hut
he doesn't mean any harm. You
weren't insinuating anything, were
you. Hlramf"
Course not" said Riles glad OF an
opportunity to get out OF the difficulty
without direct apology. "No ofense
intended. Jim. Beulah's all right, an
you're all right, an that's what al
ways said"
Trnvers was not In the least de
celved as TO Rlles' hlgh-mindedness
but he realized that the man was the
guest OF his employer and he decided
not To press the point. Gardiner and
Rifles went to the house and Jim
presently saddled his own horse and
rode out on the prairie. He had al
ready lunched. and II was Gardeners
custom to cook for himself when at
home.