The Hope pioneer., 1922-12-21
The Cr0ss-Cut
By Courtney Ryley Cooper
By Courtney Ryley Cooper

a little sigh, Bardwell closed the bool
and looked out at the dawn, forcing it.
way through the binding snow.
'Yes, I guess We'll find lot Of
things in this old book" came at last
But think right now that the bes,
thing any Of us can find is a little
Sleep"
Rest-rest for five wearied persons
hut the rest Of contentment and peace
And late in the afternoon, three OF
them were gathered in the old-fashion
ed parlor Of Mother Howard's board
ing house, waiting for the return OF
that dignitary from a sudden mission
upon which Anita Richmond had sent
her. involving trip to the old Rich.
mond mansion. Harry turned away
from his place at the window.
1.-THE district attorney 'ad long
talk with Barnham," he announced,
"and 'e's figured out wye for all the
stockholders in the Silver Queen to get
what's coming to them. AS it Is,
they's about a 'unnerd thousand short
some'eres."
Fairchild looked up.
whats the scheme?"
ITO call meeting of the stock
'olders and transfer all that money
over to special fund to buy Blue
Poppy stock. Well ave to raise money
anyway to work the mine like we
ought to. And it d cost something.
You always ave to underwrite that
sort Of thing. sort of like it, even
1t we'd ave to sell stock a little be-
low par. It'd keep Ohadi from get.
ting bad name and all that"
II think so, too" Anita Richmond
laughed. 1T suits me fine"
Fairchild looked down at her and
smiled.
II guess that's the answer" he said.
"Of course that doesn't include the
Rodaine stock. In other words, we
give lot Of disappointed stock
holders par value for about ninety
cents on the dollar. But Farrell can
look after all that. He's got to have
something to keep him busy as at
torAey for the company"
A step on the veranda, and Mother
Howard entered. a package under her
arm, which she placed In Anita's lap.
The girl looked up at the man who
stood beside her.
II promised" she said, "that I'd
tell you about the Denver road"
He leaned close.
"That isn't all you promised-just
before I left you this morning." came
his whispered voice, and Harry, at
the window. doubled in laughter.
"Why didn't you speak it all outf'
he gurgled. II 'eard every word"
Anita's eyes snapped.
swell, don't guess that's any
worse than me standing behind the
folding doors listening to you and
Mother Howard gushing like couple
Of sick doves!"
"That 'olds me-" announced Harry.
"That 'olds me. amt got a word to
sye!"
Anita laughed.
"Persons who live in glass houses
you know. But about this explanation.
I'm going to ask hypothetical ques.
tion. Suppose you and your family
were In the clutches of persons who
were always trying to get you into
a position where you'd be more at
their mercy. And suppose an old
friend Of the family wanted to make
the family present and called up
from Denver for you to come on
down and get it-not for yourself, but
Just to have around in case of need.
Then suppose you went to Denver.
got the valuable present and then.
just as you were getting up speed to
make the first grade on Lookout. you
heard shot behind you and looked
around to see the sheriff coming. And
II he caught you, it'd mean a lot of
worry and the worst kind of gossip,
and maybe you'd have to 70 to taii
for breaking laws and everything like
that7 In a case Of that kind, what'd
you do?"
'Run to beat bloody 'ell!" blurted
out Harry.
"And that's just what she did,"
added Fairchild. II know because
saw her."
Anita was unwrapping the package
"And seeing that I did rum" she
added with a laugh, "and got away
with 1t, who would like to share il
what remains Of one beautiful bottle
Of Manhattan cocktails?"
There was not one dissenting voice
] 1.-THE end
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -