The Bolivar County Democrat., 1921-02-12
CHAPTER x.-Continued.

-1S-
"WeIl. 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
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 or
strangers, as it Is at present. Inc
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 cal rieh
under his arm. But guess ne con-
tinued with & laugh. there isn't much
danger on that score.
"Nothin t speak Of" said Harris.
"And while don't want t break your
bank, do want t get that money. ana
t get il in bills. or par, of il in gold
afl silver world do. The fact is.
don't mind tellin' you. I've deal on,
an I've undertaken t put up this mon
ey in caSh-tonight."
y
where and locked the front door OF the
bank.
ITS closing time now" said the
teller. addressing the manager. I'VE
have enough cash on hand TO pay TINS
gentleman, and we can wire for more
bills. which will reach us i'll time for
omorrows business"
"Pay it, then" said the manager.
Mr. Harris has 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 COM
pleted, and they We're ready for the
road The banker looked after their
buggy as it faded out of sight up the
river road.
Hang me if like that !" he said to
himself.
The long drive up the valley iL the
warm august afternoon was an expert
ence for the soul of painter or poet.
Even Holm and Allan Harris. schooled
as they We're in the religion of mA-
terial things. felt something within
them responding TO the air, and the
sunlight, and the dark green canks of
trees, and the sound of rushing water.
and the purple-bIue mountains heaving
and receding before them.
Darkness settled about them. One
or two stars came out The popars
took on the color of the spruce; the
river fretted more noisiy in its rocky
channel. A thin ribbon of cloud lay
across the mountains. and a breeze of
wonderful melowness came own
through the passes.
AT length, just as they were thinking
of pitching camp for tie 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.
match revealed a 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
the shack. Harris was tired, so thes'
cleared space in the corner farthest
from the door, and spread their blan-
kets there. Harris lay down to rest.
the precious bag of money by his side.
You might as we'll drop off for
nap" Allan G;ggested. They must
have been delayed. and may not make
night, and you may as well rest if you
can. won't turn N myself until you
waken."
Il believe III do as YOU say" his fa-
ther' agreed. "Keep keen ear an
don't leave the building without wakn'
me-"
Allan looked out at different times
for Gardiner and Rles. hut there
seemed no sound all the world save
the rushing of water. A cold draught
crept along the floor. . He fuEcied
his father had fallen into a nap. :.
The night chill deepened and at length
Allan hung blanket as best he could
across the open door. His gun gave
him a sense of companionShip, and he
took ii in his hands and sat down be-
side his father. . 1t was very lean
and graceful in his fingers.
=
While the banker wOrEed irwhis gar
den in the long August evening the
;hOugk u the two men with bag full
of money kt IT reci.!ting and recurring
In his mind and sih0thering the natural
pride he felt in his abounding cab
bages. True. II was no business of his
but still he could not feel entirely at
ease. AS h. bent over his lie he
heard hoofs clatter in the street and
looking up, saw the erect form of Ser
gei,nt Grey on his well-groomed gov
elnment horse. At ii signal from the
banker the policeman drew up beside
tie fence.
They talked in low voices Cor ten
minutes. ut may be ii wild-goose
chase" said the cergeant at last, but
It's wOrtl. try" Half an hour ter
his horse was swinging in his long
steady stride up the road by the wind