The Bossier banner., 1922-06-01

icJcHi dDOut u III tue tu0iuIuSs q
man generally does. won't hold you
to anything you said last night, Riles."
Rifles could not recall that he had
said anything that committed him IN
any way. but Gardeners tone implied
that plainly enough.
II amt changed my mind" he said.
.'but | don't know s said anything
bindin', did I? thought we was go
In t drive out t your place t'day an
talk things over"
"Well. l just didn't want you to lose
any time over me IL you thought things
wouldn't work out" said Gardiner. ut
takes more nerve, you know, than hoe
Ing potatoes. But you're welcome to
the hospitality OF the ranch, in any
case. came in on horseback, so we'll
get team at one of the stables and
drive out"
In short time they were on their
way. The road skirted the river.
threading its way through the narrow
belt of cotton woods and evergreens
that found footing in the moist soil Of
.he valley.
ITS all right, Riles," Gardiner was
saying. "n you're prepared to stay
with the deal we can pull it through
mo doubt about that. That is, Il
Harris will sell his farm and come out
here with the cash in his jeans. II he
won't do that, you better get busy on
your homestead proposition right
away"
Hell do 1t all right, II he sees
somethin' worth while. But Harris s
no spring chicken, an you'll have t
show him somethin' t his likin' before
he loosens up."
81 don't care whether he loosens up
or not" said Gardiner. "All care Is
that he brings the money, and brings
1t in bills. No checks, mind You. Get
him out here with the cash on him,
and Til do the loosening up, II 1t
comes to that"
Rifles was somewhat alarmed at the
sinister turn of the conversation. He
had no compuncti0n about getting the
better of his old neighbor, the man
who had entrusted him with the dis
charge Of their joint mission, but he
had considerable respect for the force.
II not the principle, Of the law.
''You don't mean that you'd do any
thin'-anythin' that wasn't righta" he
said. "I wouldn't want t get mixed up
III no scrape, y know"
"You mean that you think more Of
your skin than you do OF Harris coin.
Well. there's no accounting for tastes.
But as for doing anything wrong
you ought to know ME better than
that. It will all he clean and above
board, and no violence If 1t can be
helped, but If Harris is unfortunate
nobody's to blame for that. OF course,
II you're afraid to take sportsman's s
chance for one-half of $4,000, call the
deal on. I've got lots Of other Ash to
fry"
"You don't understand" said Rifles.
II amt a'scared. but l don't want q
do nothin' that'll get us into trouble.
Harris Is an old neighbor O. mine.
am"
understand perfectly. YoC
wouldn't mind piece of Harris money
served on platter and wrapped in
tissue paper. but you want somebody
else to take the chances. Now, there
won't be amy chances to speak Of. but
what there are you take your share.
II that's bargain it's bargain, and
IL II isn't we'll talk about the weather.
What d'you say?"
TITS a bargain" said Rifles, "proyid-
ed your plan'll work OUT
sIt's got to work out. It's like going
up In balloon-if it doesn't work out
It's all off with the engineer. You got
to take the chance, Hiram, and then
make good on the chance"
Riles chewed vigorously at his to
bacco. Explain how you're goin' to
pull It on" he said, IAN then TIL tell
you yes or no.
Not on your life," said Gardiner.
II don't show my hand until / know
who's sitting across &
%
There was silence for one-half q
mile, while Riles turned the. matter
over In his mind. He was naturally a
coward. but he was equally money
grabber, and It was one instinct
against the other. Avarice won 1t. and
at length he extended his hand to Gar
diner. "Tm in on anythin' you're in
on. he said.
THAT sounds like It, said Gardiner,
with enthusiasm. "Now the whole
things simple as A B G, and not half
as dangerous rs running d traction en-
gine or breaking a broncho.. It all
rests on getting him out here with the
money, and that's where you come in.
! don't mind telling you II 1t wasn't
for the help you can give there I'd
handle the job myself, and save divid-
ing the proceeds
"Yes, that's the point, all right, " said
Riles. somewhat dubiously. How're
we goin' to- get him out here with all
that moneyr'
Think. Riles." said Gardiner. puff
ing complacently at q fresh cigar.
Think hard.
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