The Dolores star., 1921-03-25
CHAPTER xvliI-continued.

me to invest four hundred thousand
dollars. You will remember that you
purchased that timber for me from the
Caribou Timber company, Limited.
You said IL was an unparalleled invest
uent. Quite recently I learned-no
matter how-that you were the princi-
pal owner of the Caribou Timber com.
pany. Limited Smart as you are
somebody swindled you with that red
cedar. II was wonderful stand OF
dmber-so read the cruisers report
but fifty per cent OF 1t. despite Its
green and fiourishing appearance. is
holiow-butted And the remaining
dfty per cent of sound timber cannot
be logged unless the roltten timber is
logged also and gotten out OF the way,
Aaa l am Informed that logging 1t
spells bankruptcy"
She gazed at him steadily. but with
out malice his face crimsoncd and
then paled; presently his glance
sought the carpet. While he struggled
to formulate verbal defense against
her accusation Shirley continued:
You had erected huge sawmill
and built and equipped a logging road
before you discovered you had been
swindled. So. in order TO save as
much as possible from the wreck. you
decided to unload your white elephant
on somebody else. was the readest
victim. You were the executor of my
father's estnte-you were my guardian
and financial adviser, and so you found
1t very. very easy TO swlndle me!''
81 had my back TO the wall" he
quavered. Il was desperate-and II
wasn't ut all the bad investment you
have been told 1t is. You had the money
more money than you knew what to
do with-and with the proceeds of the
sale of those cedar lands knew
could make an Investment In California
redwood and more than retrieve my
fortunes-make big money for both
OF us"
''You might have borrowed the money
from me. You know / have never hes
ltated to Join In your enterprises"
This was too big deal for you.
Shirley. | had vision. l could see in
Ill llllS FeINDDI tUl-
pire, hut 1t was a tremendous gamble
and required twenty millions to swing
1t at the very start. | dreamed of the
control OF California redwood and II
you will stand by me, Shirley. shall yet
make my dream come true--rrd half
Of It shall be yours. 1t has always
been my intention to buy back from
you secretly and at nice profit to you
that Caribou red cedar, and with the
acquisition of the Cardigan properties
I would have been In position TO do
go. Why. that Cardigan tract in the
San Hedrin which we will buy in with
In a year for half million, is worth
1--we millions at least. And by that
time. feel certain-in fact. I know
the Northern Pacific will commence
building In from the south, from VIII
it's
81 shall" he began, but he paused
abruptly, as If he had suddenly re-
membered that tact and not pugnacity
was the requirement for the handling
of this tlcklish situation.
She silenced him with disdainful
gesture. you shall not smash the
Cardigans." she declared firmly. You
are devoid Of mercy. of sense of
craftsmanship. Now, then, Uncle
Seth, listen to me: You have
twenty-four hours In which to make
up your mind whether to accept my
ultmatum or refuse it. If ycu re-
fuse. shall prosecute you for fraud
and betrayal OF trust as my fathers
executor on that red cedar timber
deal"
He Enlightened trifle, "Tfn afraid
that would be long, hard row to hoe,
my dear, and of course, shall have to
defend myself"
"Tn addition" the CIR, went on qul-
etiy, "the county grand jury shall be
furnished with stenCgraphic report
of your conversation OF Thursday
night with Mayor Pouhdstone. That
viii not be long, hard row to hoe,
Uncle Seth, for In addition TO the
stenographer. / have another reliable
witness, Judge Moore. Your casual
disposal Of my sedan as brlbe to the
mayor will he hard to explain and
rather amusing. In view OF the fact
that Bryce Cardigan managed to fright
en- Mr.. Poundstone into returning the
sedan while you were away. And
n that is not sufficient for my purpose,
] have the sworn confession Of the
Black Minorca that you gave him five
hundred dollars to kill Bryce Cardigan.
Your woods boss. Rondeau. will also
swear that you approached him with a
proposition to do away with Bryce
Cardigan. think. therefore. that you
will readily see how impossible sit
nation you have managed to create
and will not disagree with me when I
suggest that It would be better for you
to leave this county"
His tace had gone gray and hag-
eard. II can't" he murmured. II
can't leave this great business now.
Yoar own interests in the company
GENDER such q course unthinkable.
vnRaaA& - h~mSA - thA hAl0n thin -