The Bossier banner., 1922-06-15
CHAPTER X-(coacluded).

q
Harris was torn between emotions
and his face worked with unwonted
nervousness rs he struggled with
them. That Bradshaw should have
sold the farm for half the price he
had stipulated seemed Incredible. i
was robbery; 1t was breach of trust
of the most despicable nature. On the
other hand. II the amount available
would enahle 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 visibiy downcast
when they heard the amount, but Gar
diner promptly grappled with the
situation.
"It's less than we figured on" he
said. 'hut perhaps we can get through
still. The thing to do Is to get out to
the mine mt once with this money. II
will be sufficient to prove the genuine
ness of our intentions. and induce him
into town. Then Riles can nut up
some and can put up some. and thai,
with the twenty thousand. should hold
the leni until Rifles can realize on his
farm. Within a very short time we
s,sa turn the whole thing over to the
New Workers., and take In the profits
sSay. Gardiner" said Allan, speak
ing AZ one who had heen struck by q
new and important thought. 'sWhere
do you come In on this deal? Is your
old gink up in the hills coming through
for hnlf?''
sNOt cent" said Gardiner "As
for where l come In. well. dealing
with old friends like Rifles and the
Harrises, considered that sec
onslary matter. fancy that when
they feel the profits In their pockets
they will be disposed to be not only
fnir. but generous and. Of course, II
put up part Of the money ! will expect
my share Of profit. But I'm not ask.
ing for any assurance: I'm just going
to leave that to you"
..Well. that's decent. anyway" Har
ris agreed. II haven't as much money
al expected. but II we can pull Il
through II may be all right vet. O.
course. you remember that haven
promised to put up dollar unless
like the looks Of the mine when sex
It." Harris still had qualms Of hest
tatIon about entering into transac
tion 50 much ont of his beaten path
and he took occasion from time Il
time TO make sure that an avenue o.
retreat was still open.
''That's the understanding. exactly
Gardiner assured him. you're tn
mnn with the money. and II you dom
like It. don't pay"
Harris at once visited the hank. ant
returned shortly with the informatio,
that the amount. less somewha
startling percentage for transmission
and exchange. was already deposited
10 his credit.
.Then let Us lose no more time.'
said Gardiner, with enthusiasm .Yo,
will need 4 team and rig. and 80,
hetter pack q couple Of blankets ant
some grub. Make the stablena,
throw in o couple Of saddles; 20,
may have to ride the last part of th'
"trip. Rifles and ! win make II the Who'll,
way on horseback" Gardiner ihei
remembered that Il would be neces
sary for him to 90 back to the rancl
and change horses but he describe
In detail the road they should take
and assured them they could not mis-
II. II was the main road up the rive
valley-up, and up-and II they dr0v,
hard they would reach that night ,
spot where an old. deserted cabIi
stood back h I clhmp Of popiars.
would be good place 70 spend III
night. and Rifles and Gardiner woui'
meet them there. Il. indeed. they III,
not overtake them on the road. Neiihe
! Hnrris nor Allen had any fear OF
strslnge trail: they had been bred to
sense Of direction and location al
their Hses and were confident the
wound md no din 1leulty 4 reaching n
sendezvos