The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-02-17

most ready for the binder. BraushaW
was in constant touch with well-to-do
farmers from the South who were on |
the lookout for land. and his own |
banking facilities would enable him |
to forward the cash as soon as a sale
was assured without waiting Tor
actual payment by the purchaser. SO
Harris was confident in the midst of
his anxiety.
A gentleman's agreement had been
made with Gardiner and Rifles that
not a word was TO be said concerning
their investment until it was n COM
pleted fact. Gardiner dropped in oc-
casionally 10 learn If any word had
come from Plainville. but ii was not
until the afternoon of the fourth dav
that the fateful yellow envelope was
handed in at the hotel. As it hap
pened Gardiner and Rifles were pres
ent at the moment. They slipped into
the back room and waited in fever
of expectation for Harris to announce
the contents.
Harris and Allan read the message
twice before speaking; then Allan re-
peated it aloud:
Twenty thousand dollars proceeds
sale goes forward by wire your bank.
Correspondence follows. VIII explain
failure to get price asked.
"BRADSHAW."
Harris was torn between emotions.
and his face worked with unwOnted
nervousness as he struggled with
them. That Bradshaw should have
sold the farm for half the price he
had stipulated seemed incredible. 1t
was robbery; ii was a breach of trust
of the most despicable nature. On the
other hand. If the amount available
would enable them to buy the mine.
the huge profit assured from that In
vestment would much more than off
set the loss on the farm. Gardiner
and Rifles, too, were visibly downcast
when they heard the amount, hut Gar
diner promptly grappled with the
situation.
cts less than we figured on" he
said. "hut perhaps we can get through
still. The thing to do is TO get out to
the mine ut once with this money. II
will be sufficient to prove the genuine
ness of our intentions, and induce him
into town. Then Rifles can put up
some and | can put up some, and that,
with the twenty thousand. should hold
the deal until Rifles can realize on his
| farm. Within very short time we
can turn the whole thing over to the
New Workers. and take in the profits"
"Say. Gardiner" said Allan, speak
ing as one who had been struck by
new and important thought. where
| do Won come i'm on this deal? Is your
old gink ND in the hills coming through
for half?"
mot cent" said Gardiner GAS
| for where come in. well, dealing
with old friends like Rifles and the
Harrises, I considered that Sec
ondary matter fancy that when
they feel the profits in their pockets
they will be disposed TO he not only
fair. but generous. and. Of course. If
put up part Of the money ] will expect
my share Of profit. But I'm not ask
ing for any assurance I'm just going
| TO leave tndl I'D HOu'
"well. that's decent, anyway" Har-
ris agreed. ~ haven't as much money
as I expected, but If we can pull II
through il may be all right yet or
course. YOU remember that | haven't
promised to put up a dollar unless |
like the looks Of the mine when I see
IT," Harris still had qualms Of hesi-
tation about entering into transac-
tion so much out OF his beaten path,
and he took occasion from time to
time TO make sure that an avenue Of
retreat was still open.
"That's the understanding. exactly"
| Gardiner assured him. you're the
man with the money, and If you don't
like It, don't pay"
Harris at once visited the bank, and
returned shortly with the information
that the amount, less a somewhat
startling percentage for transmission
and exchange, was already deposited
TO his credit.
"Then let us lose no more time
said Gardiner with enthusiasm. "Yor
will need a team and rig. and 20,
better pack couple OF blankets ant
some grub. Make the stablemaT
throw in couple of saddles; yol
NAV have TO ride the last part Of th'
trip. Rifles and I will make II the whole
way on horseback" Gardiner thei
remembered that II would he neces
/, sary for him to go back to the rancl
and change horses. hut he descrihe'
In detail the road they should take
and assured them they could not mis-
Il. It was the main road up the rive
valley-up. and up-and II they drov
!. hard they would reach that night
spot where an old, deserted cabii
!, stood back in a clump of popIars.
: would be good place to spend tn
o night. and Rifles and Gardiner wOul
z meet them there. IT, indeed. they III
y not overtake them on the road. Neithe
e Harris nor Allen had any fear Of
o strange trail; they had been bred to
sense of direction and location n