The Connecticut labor news., 1921-02-18
731e nOnleSteader By Robert J.C.Stead
 Author OS "1he C0sV PusscSaer.'' Efc. fusSsfrafi0slS bv
 IRWIN MYERS Copyright, All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER x.-Continued.

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 "Well, no," Harris said; I'm afraid | we can't"
 "A marked check is as good as bills, ''
 the banker argued, "and much easier to carry, not to speak of being safer. v he added, as an afterthought. ''Trav- cling with that amount of money on you is sort of defiance of natural law, especially with the country full of strangers, as it is at present" The banker looked from the powerful frame of the farmer to the equally powerful frame of the farmers son, and his eye fell on the gun which the latter carried under his arm. "But guess" he con- tinued with laugh, "there isn't much danger on that score"
 "Nothin' t speak of," said Harris. "And while I don't want t break your bank, do want t get that money, and t get it in bills, or part of it in gold an silver would do. The fact is, I don't mind tellin' you, I've deal on, ey in cash-tOnight."
 A young man emerged from some where and locked the front door of the bank.
 "It's closing time now," said the teller, addressing the manager. we have enough cash on hand to pay this gentleman, and we can wire for more bills, which will reach us in time for tomorrow's business"
 "Pay 1t, then" said the manager. ''Mr. Harris has a right to his money in that form if he wants it. "But," he added, turning to Harris, ''I'd advise you to keep both eyes on it until your transaction is completed"
 The counting of the money was bigger task than either Harris or Allan had thought, but at last it was con- pleted, and they were ready for the road. Tlre banker looked after their buggy as it faded out of sight up the river road.
 Hang me if I like that !" he said to himself.
 The long drive up the valley in the warm August afternoon was an experi- ence for the soul of painter or poet. Even John and Allan Harris, schooled as they were in the religion of ma terial things, felt something within them responding to the air, and the sunlight, and the dark green hanks of trees, and the sound of rushing water, and the purple-blue mountains heaving and receding before them.
 Darkness settled about them. One or two stars came out. The poplars took on the color of the spruce; the river fretted more noisily in it's rocky channel. A thin ribbon of cloud lay across the mountains, and a breeze of wonderful mellowness came town through the passes.
 At length, just as they were thinking of pitching camp for the night, Allan espied deserted cabin in a cluster of trees by the side of the road They turned into the wood and unhitched the horses.
 A match revealed lantern hanging on the wall. and few cooking utensils, safe from all marauders under the un- written law of the new land.
 The two men first made their horses comfortable, and then cooked some supper on little fire at the door of 1 the shack. Harris was tired, so they cleared a space in the corner farthest from the door, and spread their blan- sets there. Harris lay down to rest, the precious bag of money by his side. |
 "You might as well drop off for a | nap." Allan suggested. ''They must | have been delayed, and may not make | 1t tonight at all. We're here for the | night. and you may as well rest if you | can. I won't turn in myself until you | waken."
 T believe I'll do as you say," his fa- ther agreed. Keep a keen ear an don't leave the building without wakin' me-"
 Allan looked out at different times for Gardiner and R,les, but there seemed no sound il all the world save the rushing of water. A cold draught 1 crept along the floor. He faEcied his father had fallen into a nap. The night chill deepened and at length Allan hung 8 blanket as best he could across the open door. His gun gave him a sense of companionship, and he took it in his hands and sat down be- side his father. It was very lean and graceful in his fingers.
 
 While the banker worked in his gar den Tn the long August evening the thought of the two men with a bag full of money kept recurring and recurring n his mind, and smothering the natural pride he felt in his abounding cab- pages. True, it was no business of his put still he could not feel entirely at ease. As he bent over his L.e he heard hoofs chatter in the street and. ooking up, saw the erect form of Ser seant Grey on his well-groomed gov horse. At signal from the banker the policeman drew up beside he fence. They talked in low voices for ten minutes. 'It may be wild-goose 'hase," said the sergeant at last, "but ts wOrth a try" Half an hour ! ter lis horse was swinging in his long. 1 teady stride up the road by the wind 1 ng river. ii
 CHAPTER Nj ,