The spectator., 1921-03-25
\ Copyright. All Right, Reserve.
cCAAPTER xlll-continued

-MoSt extraordinary" said the core ,ner. ''Strychnine, doubtless. We can't do much for him. I'm afraid. We might try some mustard and hot wa ter, Mrs Arthnrs."
 ''Take your time. Lil," whispered .Arthurs You may save your coun- try "a long board bill" But a,illian .Arthurs' hbhorrence of Gardiner's per hdy had been overwhelmed in a wave of sympathy for suffering fellow be- ing. She hurried to the kitchen. while the men of the party filed down the stairs aand out into the yard. John Harris was the last to leave fine house, aand he walked slowly. with bare. bowed head, into the group who were cNcitedly discussing the amazing utnr events had taken. He took no part in their conversation, but staod little apart, plunged deep in his own inward struggle.
 At last he turned and called his wife in the kitchen door, Bring Beu- lah," he said.
 The two women joined him. At first Harris stood with face averted, but in moment he spoke in a clear, quiet voice.
 Il haven't played the game fair with you two" he said. land want to say so now. Perhaps 1t would be truer to say that 1 played the wrong game. Twenty-Five years have proved it was the wrong game. Now. without a penny. I can start just where I start ed 25 years ago. The only difference Is that l am an old man instead of young one I'm going to take an- other homestead and start again. at the right game. If Mary will start with me-
 She put her hand in his. and her eyes were bright again with the fire of youth. You know there is only sone answer, John." she whispered
 Harris called Travers over from the group of men.
 .There's one thing mere" he con 'tinued. When I started l had only q wife to keep, and l don't intend to take any bigger responsibility now. Allan will be having homestead of
 
 to YOU, l owe you an apology for ,some things and an explanation for some things, but I'm going to square the debt with the only gift l have Jeff
 The light breeze tossed the hair of Beulah's uncovered head. and the light of love and health glowed in her ,f,n fin symmetry of her figure.
 Flake her. Jim" he said.
 "She is goodly gift" said the young msn reverentiy.
 You thnk so now" said her father "'Gou know nothing about it. In twen- sy,hve years you will know just how great gift she is-or she will not be worthy of her mother.
 Harris and his wife were gazing with nnsecing eyes into the mountains when ArthurS handed them letter -ft came in the mail which the boys brought out this morning." he said and l forgot all about it un;ii this minute'''
 1t was from Bradshaw. Harris opened it indifferently. but the nrst few lines aroused his interest. and he read 1t eagerly to the end.
 My dear Harris" it ran, Ion re- ceipt 0f your telegram l immediately opened negotiations through my con nectiOns looking to Che sale of your farm with it's crop and equipment, .I.xs-s I ceeded in getting an ofer of the $iO.- 600 you set on 1t. and had all the pa pers drawn up, when discovered that among us we had made serious omis- sion. You will nemember that, good many years ago, when you were talk rng on some fresh obligations, you transferred the homestead into your Mife's name. assured the purchaser chat there would he nc difficulty about getting title from your wife. but as all the buildings are on the homestead quarter he would agree to nothing bet ter tlan paying S200O0 for the rest of ya@r land, leaving the homestead auartes, with the buildings. stock and implements out of the transaction. As his price seemed fair one for the bsiaaee Of the property, and as l as- sumed your need of the money was urgent, I closed deal on that basis, cnshed the agreement and remitted the proceeds to you at once by wire. I trust my actions in the matter meet with your approval.
 "Yours sincerely.
 GEORGE BRADSHAW"
 Harris placed the letter in the hands of his wife. She tried to read 1t, but great happiness enveloped her as flood and the typewriter characters seemed to swim before her.