The Adair County news., 1922-06-27
fVICTOR ROUSSEAU,
Illustrations by. RH.Livin9stone" y

Yes, Will, said Kitty, with the
air of one who listens wearily to
lesson.
"Joe's borrowing on those shares has
changed everything. The loan has to
be repaid before the year is out. If
it isn't, you lose the line. They'll
wreck it, and they'll wreck your for
tune, and that of the other investors.
Then they'll reconstruct. When the
line has ceased to have any value at
all, Bowyer and Phayre will have a
new line of their own. Do you under
Stand?"
I'm trying to, WILL" said Kitty.
But what do you want me to do?"
I'm proposing this for your sake,
Kitty. If you sell your property in
Winnipeg you can raise three or four
hundred thousand. 1 believe 1 could
borrow the rest. That will meet
Phayre's loan, and you'll hold the line.
It's the only way, because no bank
would lend you money on the rest
Of your shares now, after BOwyer's
campaign against us. And he's made
the most of the subsidence It's
speculative-whatF I'm suggesting. But
Joe would have done it. And in
few years it'll mean millions"
"Are you sure, WHIP asked Kitty,
eagerly.
Not sure, Kitty, but nearly sure"
"Will, you are Joe's executor. Do
you advise me to take that risk?"
eofd William ho
'But you just said"
"As Joe's executor, can't. It's not
sound business. An executor dares
not advise throwing away a certainty
for speculation. AS Joe's executor
nor
"Then why did you advise me tor"
asked Kitty innocently.
Because 1 thought you cared for
the line, Kitty. Because I thought
you shared Joe's dream for the future
of the Missatibi. I thought that, even
if you lost, you'd have your house
here, and your forty thousand, and
you'd feel-that you'd done what Joe
would have wanted. AS your executor
say, sell out to Phayre before it's
too late. At least-at least"
He could get no further. Kitty looked
up into his face. "Win. know hcn
YOU feel" she said softly. ''I'm So
sorry. I've done What you wanted,
VIII. But l haven't done it for Joe.
I've done it for you. VIII, you've
made your own obstacles. You've
never understood me. It's you 1 want
to help; it's you l want my money
for. Will"
Afterward Wilton could not imagine
now he had found strength to resist
her. With Molly lost. Jim Belts him
self counselng surrender. and Kitty
caring nothing for the line, why did
he not let it go? In that black hour
the temptation of her presence, tie
human love that was his for the tax
ing. screamed their weak counsel in
his ears.
1t may have been the fiber of Puritan
ancestors. or simply the inbOrn instinct
to fight to the end that gave him his
strength. But he did not know how
he left her till he found himself in the
street.
He went to the bank, the last place.
and the last, hopeless effort, fore
doomed to failure He went into
Phayre's office.
Good morning, Mr.. Carruthers,"
said the president "What can do for
yOu?"
"Big Muskeg's bridged," said viii
ton. ''That should send up the value of
the shares. l suggest that you renew
Mr.. BOstOck's loan when it falls due"
"My dear Mr.. Carruthers, that's
queer proposition to make to me-"
said Phayre. You're not a simple
ton. Need 1 say anything more?"
you know the collateral is good"
Good? It's splendid! l only wish
all our paper was as reliable"
"WeI? Other banks may think the
same"
"But they won't" said Phayre, smil-
ing. 'In ten years, when those wheat
lands are in bearing, this will be the
newest granary of Canada. Only,
they don't know it."
How do you know it, then?"
Phayre chuckled and began to drum
his fingers on the desk.
"You pledged your word to the di-
rectors," he answered. "Of course
there were rumors of it before. But
your word is good enough for me, Mr.
Carruthers. I'm a booster for Clayton.
1 believe in those wheat fields-and
Pm going to have them. Better throw
up your job, Carruthers, and take one
with us. What do you say?"
"Tm going back to work for you and
Mr.. Bowyer right away" said Wilton.
"At least 1 guess it looks like coming
to that. But I've got my job to finish
and I'm going to do it."