The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-02-24
CHAPTER x.-continued.

ID
"Wen. no." Harris said; I'm afraid
we can't"
"a marked check is as good as bills"
the banker argued, "and much easier
20 carry, not 10 speak of being safer
he added. as an afterthought. tray
cling with that amount of money on
YOU is a sort of defiance of natural law,
especially with the country tuli OF
strangers, as 1t is NJ present Inc
banker looked from the powerful frame
Of the farmer to the equally poWerlul
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 laugh, there isn't much
danger on that score.
"Nothin' t speak Of" said Harris
"And while don't want [ break your
bank. l do want t. get that money ana
T. get IT in bills, or part of 1t in gold
an silver would do. The fact IS
dont mind tellin' You. I've deal on
an I've undertaken t put UP this mon
ey In cash--tonght.'
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. we
have enough cash on hand 10 pay TINS
gentleman. and we can wire for more
bins. which viii reach us'm time FOR
tomorrows business"
Pay It, then" said the manager.
Mr.. Harris has right TO his money
in that form if he wants it. "But, ne
added. turning to Harris, I'D advise
you to keep both eyes on it until your
1 transaction Is completed"
The counting of the money was q
I bigger task than either Harris or Allan
] had thought, but at last 1t was com
pleted, and they were ready for the
road. The banker looked after their
buggy as ii faded out of sight up the
river road.
"Hang me If like that" 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. schoolet
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 heavint
and receding before them.
Darkness settled about them. On'
or two stars came out. The poplar'
took on the color of the spruce; thu
river fretted more noisily in its rock!
channel. A thin ribbon of cloud la!
across the mountains, and breeze o
wonderful mellowness came dow
through the passes.
AT length, just as they were thinking
of pitching camp for the night, Allal
espied a deserted cabin in cluster
trees by the side of the road. The
turned into the wood and unhitched tn
horses.
A match revealed lantern hangin
on the wall, and few cooking utensils
safe from all marauders under the VI
written law Of the new land.
The two men first made their horse
comfortable, and then cooked som
supper on a little fire at the door {
the shack. Harris was tired, so the
cleared a space in the corner farthes
from the door, and spread their blaI
kets there. Harris lay down to res
the precious bag Of money by his sid
"You might as well drop off for
nap" Allan suggested. "They mus
have been delayed, and may not MAI
II tonight at all. We're here for Il
night. and you may as well rest IL yo
can. won't turn in myself until yo
waken"
IL believe I'll do as you say" his 4
Their agreed. Keep a keen ear a
. don't leave the building without waki
me-"
Allan looked out at different time
for Gardiner and Rifles. but the
seemed no sound in all the world sa'
the rushing of water. A cold draug
crept along the floor. He fancl'
his father had fallen into a nap.
The night chill deepehed and at leng
Allan hung blanket as best he cou
across the open door. His gun ga
him a sense of companionship, and
took II in his hands and sat down 3
side his father. II was very lie;
and graceful in his fingers.
While the banker worked In his 90
den in the long August evening {
thought of the two men with bag II
Of money kept recurring and recurrl
In his mind. and smothering the natur
pride he felt 10 his Astounding ca
bages. True, II was no business of b
but still he could not feel entirely
ease. As he bent over his hoe
heard hoofs clatter in the street al
looking up. saw the erect form of -