The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-21
CHAPTER x.-continued.

well, no., Harris said; Il m AFRAID
we can't"
"a marked>check is as good as bills"
the banker argued, land 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 a sort of defiance of natural law,
especially with the country full of
strangers, as it is at present" The
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 carried
under his. arm. But guess" he con-
tinued with a laugh, there isn't much
danger on that score"
"Nothin' t speak Of" said Harris.
sand while don't want L break your
bank, do want t get that money, and
Z get il in bills, or part of it in gold
an silver would do. The fact is,
don't mind tellin' you, I've a deal on,
an I've undertaken t put up this mon
ey in caSh-tOnight."
A young man emerged from some
where and locked the front door Of the
bank.
Its closing time now" said the
teller, addressing the manager. 1--WE
have enough cash on hand to pay this
gentleman, and we can wire for more
bills, which will reach US in time for
tomorrOw's business"
"Pay it, then" said the manager.
Mr.. Harris has right to his money
in that form if he wants it. But" he
aH6 tNHr fn iris a
you to keep both eyes on it until your
transaction is completed"
The counting of the money was a
bigger task than either Harris or Allan
had thought, but at last it was COM
pleted, and they were ready for the
road. The banker looked after their
buggy as it faded out of sight up the
river road.
Hang me If like thatr' he said to
himself.
The long drive up the valley in the
warm August afternoon was an expert
ence for the soul of painter or poet.
Even John and Allan Harris. schooled
as they were in the religion of ma
terial things, felt something within
them responding to the air, and the
sunlight, and the dark green banks of
trees. and the sound of rushing water,
and the purple-blue mountains heaVing
and receding before them.
Darkness settled about them. One
or two stars came out. The poplars
took on the color of the spruce; the
river fretted more noisily in its rocky
rib Of oil Inr
across the mountains, and a breeze of
wonderful mellOwness came down
through the passes.
AT length, just as they were thinking
of pitching camp for the 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.
A match revealed a lantern hanging
on the wall, and few cooking utensils,
safe from all marauders under the IN
written law of the new land.
The two men first made their horses
comfortable, and then cooked some
supper on a little fire at the door OF
the shack. Harris was tired, so they
cleared a 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 suggested. ''They must
have been delayed, and may not make
1t tonight at all. We're here for the
night, and you may as we'll rest if you
can. 1 won't turn in myself until you
waken."
II believe I'll do as you say" his IA
Their agreed. Keep a keen ear an
don't leave the building without wakin'
me-"
Allan looked out at different times
for Gardiner and Rifles, but there
seemed no sound in all the world save
the rushing of water. A cold draught
crept along the floor. He fancied
his father had fallen into a nap. i. . e.
The night chill deepened and at length
Allan hung a blanket as best he could
across the open door. His gun gave
him a sense of companionship, and he
took it in his hands and sat down be-
side his father. 1t was very lean
and graceful in his fingers.
NuIle the DdHkeT worked IN MS gar
den in the long August evening the
thought of the two men with bag full
of money kept recurring and recurring
in his mind, and smOthering the natural
pride he felt in his Astounding cab
bages. True, ii was no business of his,
but still he could not feel entirely at
ease. AS he bent over his hoe he
heard hOOfs clatter in the street and,
looking up. saw the erect form of Ser
geant Grey on his well-groomed gov
eminent horse. At a signal from the
banker the policeman drew up beside
the fence
They talked in low voices for ten
minutes. "It may be a wild-goose
chase" said the sergeant at last, but
it's worth a try" Half an hour Liter
his horse was swinging in his long.