The Adair County news., 1922-06-13

Bostock, builder of the line, and Wilton
Carruthers chief of engineers, are con-
sidering the di. .culties. A rifle shot in
stanty kills Bostock and breaks Car
ruthers' arm. Handicapped as he is, Car
ruthers determines to carry the body to
station of the Hudson's Bay company,
where one Mcdonald is the factor.
CHAPTER IL-McDonald's daughter,
Molly, sees Carruthers struggling in the
muskeg and drags him from the swamp,
with his burden. Unaccountably, her
father objects to her saving Carruthers.
CHAPTER Iu.-Weakened by his wound
and exertions, Carruthers is disturbed by
the appearance of Tom Bowyer, Bostock's
business rival and personal enemy. Bow
yer insults Molly, and Carruthers strikes
declares his love for Molly. She prom
ises to be his wife.
CHAPTER Iv.-Carruthers has to reach
the town of Clayton to attend meeting
at which Bostock's enemies plan to wrest
control of the Missatibi from him. Molly
determines to go with him
Austin Phayre, the president of the
Bank Of New North Manitoba, stood
at the table He was a man of about
fifty, with a gray, waxed mustache, and
gold-rimmed glasses. His manner was
pompous, and he was Immaculate in
his black cutaway, with the expanse Of
white cuff and tall collar.
"Mr. Chairman" he said, "sOme Of
Us shareholders have requested that
the meeting be called in order that
we may obtain certain informa-
tion from those best qualified to i'm
part 1t, as to the prospects of the Mis-
satibi line, concerning which disquiet-
ing rumors are af1Oat.
"You have before you a statement Of
our financial position. 1t is not the
most satisfactory one that could be
imagined. OF q total capital of FIVE
million dollars, nearly One-half has al
ready been disbursed. The estimate
before you provides for nearly two mil
lions more to be distributed over grad
ing, trackIaying, water-tanks, tele-
graph line, bridging and ballasting.
Meanwhile, unexpected difficulties have
arisen. They tell us that the entire
route will have to be resurveyed; that
the swamps are impossible"
He glanced with affected investiga-
ton about the table.
''It seems hardly worth while to put
these questions under present circum-
stances" he said. But we should like
to be informed why the surveyors re-
ports were not properly checked. We
should like to know whether it is GO
ing to pay US to build line out into
this unsettled wilderness, and in how
many years? Finally, we wish to elicit
the opinion, whether our interests are
In the best possible hands"
"What did your bank invest for, If
you feel thataway?" shouted an old
roughly dressed man across the table
. "That is exactly what am trying to
find out" retorted Austin Phayre
blandIy. "If Mr.. Belts will permit
me"
'Tll tell We why We did it," yelled
the old man, rising to his feet and
shaking his fist vigorously. "Ye want
to get control for Tom Bowyer, so as
he'll have another line to bankrupt
Ye know what we all know, that ole
friends yet. If he says the lines a
going to pay, it's a-going to pay. Yt
know Joe and VIII Carruthers went
up to look the line over. Give 'em &
chancer
Jim Belts, familiar figure in many
western towns since he made luck!
strike in the Cobalt region a few year;
before, had been one of Joe Bostock'!
stanchest friends He had brought IL
a good many Of the investors. Ye
now he stood almost alone in cham
pionship Of his friend.
'1f the line amt no good, what doe
Tom Bowyer want it for?" yelled thu
exasperated old man. did ye eve
know Bowyer want anything tha
wouldn't pay? Wait for Joe, boys Y
won't condemn a man when he ain
here to speak for himself? Ye al
know Joe"
"D-n Joe! 1 want my money
shrieked an infuriated investor.
Austin Phayre waited calmly unit
the hubbub had subsided. 81 move
Mr.. Chairman, that the question of tn
Missatibi route be submitted to con
mission Of engineers, to be appolnte
by the directors" he said.
Il oppose YEP shouted Jim Bett
'TIl fight ye to the end on tina
Amt ye bought every engineer
Manitoba, except Will Carruthers2"
'T beg to second the notion" sal
Frank Clark, one of the small inveI
tors, and manager of the bank.
Jim Belts threw up his arms dr'
matically. swell, Joe BOstock, ye'
best hurry" he remarked in tone {
confidential communication. "Whel
are ye, boyf"
A noise outside; the door was fun
violently open, and Wilton, stood
the room. And at the sight of him
sudden, dead silence succeeded the VI
roar.
He was mud and blood from hea