Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-07-15

go to the purchaser, and was now al
most ready for the binder Bradshaw
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 for
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 word was to be said concerning
their investment until it was COM
pleted fact. Gardiner dropped in oc-
casionally to learn If any word had
come from Plainville. but 1t was not
until the afternoon of the fourth day
that the fateful yellow envelope was
handed in at the hotel. AS 1t 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 1t aloud:
Twenty thousand dollars proceeds
sale goes forward by wire your bank
Correspondence follows. Will 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; 1t was 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, but Gar
diner promptly grappled with the
situation.
"It's less than we figured on" he
said, "but perhaps we can get through
still. The thing to do Is to get out to
the mine at once with this money. 1t
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 a 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 a
new and important thought. where
| do you come in on this deal? Is your
old gink up in the hills coming through
for half2"
mot a cent" said Gardiner. "As
for where l come in, well, dealing
with old friends like Rifles and the
Harrises, I considered that a Sec
ondary matter. l fancy that when
they feel the profits In their pockets
they will be disposed to be 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; Tn Just going
to leave that to you"
"Well. that's decent. anyway" Har-
ris agreed. 81 haven't as much money
as I expected, but II we can pull II
through 1t may be oil right yet. OF
course, you remember that haven't
promised to put up dollar unless
like the looks Of the mine when see
it, Harris still had qualms of hest
tation about entering into transac.
ton 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 II you don't
like It, don't pay"
Harris at once visited the bank, and
returned shortly with the information
that the amount, less somewhat
startling percentage for Transmission
and exchange. was already deposited
to his credit.
'"Then let us lose no more time,
said Gardiner, with enthusiasm. "YOl
will need team and rig, and 70,
better pack couple Of blankets ant
some grub. Make the stablemar
throw In a couple Of saddles; 20,
may have to ride the last part of tn,
trip. Rifles and will make 1t the Who'll,
way on horseback" Gardiner thel
remembered that 1t would be neces
sary for him to 60 back to the rancl
and change horses, but he describe,
in detail the road they should take
and assured them they could not mis-
1t. 1t 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 cabir
stood back in clump Of poplars. I
would be good place to spend tn,
night. and Rifles and Gardiner woult
meet them there, If, indeed. they di,
not overtake them on the road. Neithe
Harris nor Allen had any fear of ,
strange trail; they had been bred to
sense of direction and location al