Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-01-05

II think" said John Stuart Webster.
slowly. that you're a good picker. Bin.
She's my ideal OF fine young woman,
and my advice to you is to marry her.
I'll grub-stake you. BIZ, this stiff col
lar il choking me; wish you'd wait
here while go 10 my room and rustic
up a soft one"
In the privacy OF hts room John
Stuart Webster sat down on his bed
and held his head In his hands. for he
had Just received a blow In the solar
plexus and was still groggy. Present
ly. however. he pulled himself together
and approaching the mirror looked
long at his weather-beaten counte-
nance.
TOO old" he murmured, "too old TO
be dreaming dreams"
He changed TO a soft collar, and
when he descended 10 the patio 10 join
Billy once more he was. TO all outward
appearances, his usual unperturbed
self. for his was one OF those rare ma
lures that can derive a certain comfort
from the misery OF self-sacrifce-and
in that five minutes alone In his room
John Stuart Webster had wreStled
with the tragedy OF his life and won.
He had resolved 10 give Billy the
right OF way on the highway TO happi-
ness.
In Mr.. webster's own whimsical
phraseology, his clock had been fixed.
on the instant ne recognized in the OBJ
ject OF HIS youthful partners alteration
the same winsome woman he had en-
throned I'm his own secret castle OF
love. From that precise second Billy's
preserve was as safe from encrOach-
ment by his friend as would be bale
OF Confederate currency In an armor-
steel vault on the MISREPRESENTATION
level OF a water-filled mine.
John Stuart Webster had unanimously
resolved upon the course he should have
pursued In the first place. He would
investigate Billy's mining concession
Immediately; provided II should prove
worth while, he would finance II and
put the property on a paying basis;
after which he would see 10 II that
the very best doctors In the city Of
Buenaventura should inform Billy, I'M
officially and In the strictest conf
dence. that II he desired 10 preserve
the life OF Senior Juan Webstaire be
should forthwith pack that rapidly dis
lntegrating person OF to a more salu-
brlous climate.
Having made his decision, John
Stuart Webster Immediately took heart
OF hope and decided to lead trumps.
Dolores reJoIned them for a slesta
after luncheon.
Webster leaned over and slapped
Billy Geary's knees affectionately.
swell. Bin, you saffron-colOred old
wreck. how long do you suppose II
viii take for you TO pick up enough
strength and courage TO do some &C
tive mining7 I'm anxious 20 get that
property on a paying basis. so l can
get out Of the country"
"Why. Johnny" the amazed Billy
declared. Il thought you would stay
and help run the mine"
"Indeedl Wen. why do you sup
pose I spent so much time teaching
you how 10 run a mine. you young
idiot. II not against just such a time
as this2 You found this concession
and tied II up; I'll finance IL and help
you get everything started: but after
that, I'm through. and you can man
age IL on salary and name the salary
yourself You have a greater inter
est In this country than /, William;
and so with your kind permission
we'll hike up TO that concession to-
morrow and give Il the double-O;
then. II can o. X. the property. we'll
cable for the machinery ! ordered just
before I left Denver. and get busy.
We ought to have our first cleanup
within ninety days"
Gosh. but you're in n hurry" Billy
murmured. He disliked exceedingly
the thought OF having his courtship
interrupted on a minutes notice.
"You know me, son. I'm a hustler
on the Job" Webster reminded him
hrutally: so the sooner you start the
soone- you can get back and accumu-
late more malaria. What accommoda-
tons have you up thereT
"None. Jack"
.sThen you had better get some
Billy. I think you told me we have
70 take horses at San Miguel de
Padua 10 ride in 10 the mine" Billy
nodded. ~Then you had better buy
tent and bedding for both OF us, ship
the stun up 70 San Miguel &c Padua'
20 ND with Il and engage horses.
good cook. and n couple OF reliable
mozos. When you have everything
ready telegraph me and III come up"
.why can't you come up with mer
Billy demanded
Il have 10 see a man, and write
some letters and send a cabiegram
and wait for an answer. may have
70 loaf around here for two or three
DAYS. BY the way. what did you do
for that friend I sent 10 you with the
letter 81 introductionT