The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-04-02
Copyright. All Right, Reserved
CHAPTER Ix-Continued.

cbap owns one of these coal limits.
He lives uD in the mountains. Il kind
of,hermit, but we fall in with him aSd
offer him $4,000 for his limit, worth,
say, $JO0,0OO, or more If you feel like
Il. He says, All right, but mind l
want the money In bills, and you'll
have to bring it out 10 me here Now
can you think of anything?"
Harris don't know nOthin' about
COAL" protested Rifles. "He wouldn't
bite at anythin' like that"
"YOur faith has been neglected as
well as your Imagination. You've got
to paint 1t 10 him SOS to get him in
terested. That's all. Our business is
10 get Harris, with the money in his
wallet, started up into those noun
tains. It's mighty lonely up there,
with timber wolves, grizzly bears,
precIpices. snow slides, and trails that
lead to nowhere, and If Harris is I'M
fortunate-well he's unfortunate"
The plan gradually penetrated Riles'
slow-wOrking mind. At first it numbed
him little, and his face was a strange
color as he turned TO his companion,
and said, in a low voice, "Ain't II
risky? What if the police catch on?"
"They won't. They're all right for
cleaning up n rough house, but don't
cut any figure I'm fine art work like
we'll put over. l tell you, Rifles, it's
absolutely safe. The main thing is to
see that he has the money in bills; ;
anything else would be risky and lead
to trouble. Then this fellow that's
supposed TO own the mine must be
kept in the background. We"
"But who does own the miner"
Gardiner made a gesture of exas-
peration. you don't get me, Hiram.
Nobody owns the mine. That part Of
It's all myth-a fairy tale manufac-
tured because we need it. But Harris
mustn't find that Out-not, at any
rate until it's too late. Then If any
thing ever does leak out, suspicion will
be directed toward some mysterious
mine owner, and the police will be
wearing out shoe leather hunting the
cracks In the foot hills while you and
are taking In the sights of Honolulu
or South America. Well quietly make
an appointment for Harris to meet the
mine owner somewhere up in the hills.
Wen direct him where to go, and
leave II at that OF course. we won't
20 with him; we'll have other bust
ness about that time"
Rifles looked at Gardiner with frank
admiration. II seemed so simple now,
aud 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 mountains were full of danger,
and II something should happen to
Harris-well. he would be unfortu-
nate; but lots of other people had been
unfortunate. too.
Gardiner turned his team down a.
side road, forded the river, climbed
steep. slippery bank. and drew up be-
side cluster of ranch buildings shell
tered with cotton woods and spruces.
As the team. In their long. steady trot.
swung up 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 you?" said Gardi-
ner. Smother Manitoban chasing the
free land"
Travers at once recognized Rifles and
extended his hand. "Well. Mr.. Rifles.
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. How's everybody? Harrises
well, l hoper'
Guess they're well enough, but get
tin kind O. scattered for family
group. Beulah lit out when you did
but guess can't give you no infor-
nation about that"
The smile did not depart from Tray
ers' face. but If Rifles had known him
rs well as he should he would have
seen the sudden smoldering light In
the eye. But the young, man answered
quietly. IL saw Beulah 'the day l left
Plainville, and l understood she was
go'ag west on a visit. She isn't back
yeti"
Innocent. amt chuh?" said Rifles.
10 manner intended TO be playful.
ITS all right: don't blame you. Beu-
ans a good girl If hit highfalutin,
an few years roughin' it on the
nomestead1l take that out of her."
But Jim had dropped the harness
ana stood squarely facing Rifles. The
Mhiie still fingered ON his lips but
even the heavy-witted farmer saw that
I'VE mad been playing with fire. Rifles
was much the larger man of the two,
out ne was no one to court combat
unless the odds were overwhelmingly
u mis- favor. He carried n scar across
nis eye as constant reminder of his
Io''y In having once before invited
trouble from younger man.
what do you mean?" demanded
aSers. Put 1t in English"
nut Gardiner interposed. Don't be
700 sensitive, jim" he said. "Riles
mas forgotten his parlor manners, but
ne doesn't mean any harm. You
erent insinuating anything, were
you, Hiram?"
course not" said Rlles, glad of an
pportunity to get out of the difficulty
s'tnout direct apology. NO offense