The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-08-13
CHAPTER TX

| LlQuer bCThlcueu lib tOuSleu DTOWl
hair refiectively as he gazed after the
retreating form of Transley. His ha
was off, and the persplratlon stood or
his sunburned face-a face which, ir
point of handsomeness needed make
no apology to Transley.
"Well, by thunderI'' said Under
"by thunder, think of that !"
Linder stood for some time, thinking
"of that" as deeply as his somewhat
dlsorganIzed mental state would per
NIT. For Transley had announced
with his usual drrectness, that he
wanted so many men and teams for a
house excavation In the most ex-
elusive part of the city. SO far they
had been building In the cheaper dis
tricts cheap type Of house for those
who, having little capital, are the
easier deprived Of what they have.
The shift In operations caused Under
to lift his eyebrows.
Transley laughed boyishly and
clapped a palm on his shoulder.
II may as well make you wise,
Linder," he said. "We're going to
build house for Mr.. and Mrs. Trans
ley"
"MissusY Under echoed. incred-
ulously.
That's the good word" Transley
confirmed. "Never expected it to hap
pen to me, but 1t did, all of a sudden.
You want to look out; maybe it's
catching"
Transley was evidently In prime
humor. Under had, indeed, noted this
good humor for some time, but had
attributed 1t to the very successful
operations In which his employer had
been engaged. He pulled himself to-
gether enough to offer a somewhat
confused congratulation.
"And may 1 ask who Is to be the
fortunate young lady?" he ventured.
"You may" said Transey, "but If
you could see the length Of your nose
1t wouldn't be necessary. Under,
you're the best foreman 1 ever had,
just because you don't ever think Of
anything else. When you pass on,
there'll be no heaven for you unless
they give you charge Of a bunch Of
men and teams where you can raise a
sweat and make money for. the boss
If you weren't like that you would
have anticipated what I've told you
or perhaps made play for Zen your
self"
"Zen? You don't mean Y.D.'s daugh-
teri"
IF l don't mean Y.D's daughter l
don't mean anybody, and you can take
that from me. You bet It's Zen. Say,
Under, didn't think could go silly
over a girl, but I'm plumb locoed. l
bought the biggest old sparkler in this
town and sent 1t out with Y.D., If he
didn't lose 1t through the lining of his
vest-he handled 1t like 1t might have
been box of pills-bad pills, Under |
I've got an architect figuring how
much expense he can put on house
he gets commission on the cost, you
see-and one of these nights I'm going
to buy you dinner that'll keep you
fed till Christmas. / never knew be-
fore that Stiffness and happiness go
together. but they do. I'm glad I've
got a sober old foreman-that's all
that keeps the business going"
And after Translcy had turned away
Linder had scratched his head and
said. "By thunder. Under,
when you wake up you'll be dead.
After her practically saying,
The waters f1ne' Well, that's
why I'm a foreman, and always will
be-"
But after a little reflection Under
came to the conclusion that perhaps 1t
was all for the best. He could not
have bought Y.D.'s daughter big
sparkler or have built her a fine home
because he was a foreman. 1t was
4 round circle. He threw him
self into the building Of Transley's
house with as much fidelity as If 1t
had been his own. He gave his IN
divided attention to Transley's inter-
ests making dollars for him. while
earning cents for himself. This atten-
ion was more needed than 1t ever had
,een, as Transley found 1t necessary
o make weekly trips to the ranch In
he foothills to consult with Y.D. upon
business matters.
Zen found her interest In Transley
rowing as his attentions continued
lie spent money upon her lavishly, to
he point at which she protested, for
although YD. was rated as million
Ire the family life was one Of almost
tark simplicity. Transley assured her
hat he was making money faster than
e possibly could spend It, and even II
ot, money had no nobler mission than
o bring her happiness. He explained
he blue-prInts Of the house, and dis
used With her details of the appoint
nents. AS the building progressed he
rought her weekly photographs of It,
lie urged her to set the date about
during the winter contract [
ng would be at a standstill, so they
'ould spend three months in Califor- [
Ia and return In time for the spring
usiness.
Day by day the girl turned the stu
ton over In her mind. Her life had ,
cen swept into strange and unexpect- {