White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-03-13

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tersely.
Grafton's face showed honest sur
prise. And why not?"
Because won't allow it. I'll biloxi
it by refusing to part with any of the
Old Sioux Tract"
"Of course, it could be condemned
suggested Grafton. But we mustn't
let 1t come to that. Look here, Mr.
Stewart, liked you on sight. Sup
pose you tell me why you're receiv ng
the news this way"
Hugh walked to the rear window
twisted his long, sinewy hands to
gether, returned to his position
against the counter and lighted q
cigarette.
There's nothing personal in my at
titude, Mr.. Grafton. l can put it to
you in few words. I'm a paleontolo
gist. The Old Sioux Tract is one OF
the greatest fossil fields of history
1t cannot be flooded.
"Ah! understand! But only about
half of the tract would be covered by
the water, Mr.. Stewart"
"But unfortunately, that half is the
invaluable portion. l cannot let the
plans go on, Mr.. Grafton"
Fred chewed rapidly and swallowed
convulsively. Grafton studied Hugh's
face with concentrated interest
Hugh's long jaw, now white beneath
the ears, did not escape his observa-
ton.
"But, my dear chap, you can't be-
lieve that we could consider seriously
giving up such a project as this, for
the sake Of museum specimens, how
ever rare they might bel"
II don't think you'd consider 1t vol
UNFAIRLY, no! I'm merely warning you
that I shall force you to do So" re-
piled Hugh.
"But how? Have you private
means, Mr.. Stewart?"
II don't know how shall fight IT,
said Hugh, miserably but none the
less sternly. II shall use whate ter
property have, If that becomes nee.
essary."
"I'll put my little old Arizona tur.
quoise prospect in," said Fred sud
denly. "And I'll volunteer to shoot
the first surveyor that puts foot on
the Old Sioux Tract"
Grafton laughed. "Good lord, friends
this isn't frontier days!"
you'll think it's Sioux outbreak
before me and Hughie gets through
fighting" Fred was grinning, but
there was no humor in his eyes.
well! WE'LL" exclaimed Grafton.
II had no idea I'd run up against a
snag like this. l wonder who else in
the town is going to receive me at The
point of gum
"No one," Hugh's low voice was bit
ter. Fred and will fight alone. The
rest of Fort Sioux will receive you
with kiss"
Good! Now listen, old man! Re-
nCLAUCA, VIC fO d6IC0u IAOA0 10 " Uo
nothing personal in this"
IF 1 agreed to that I was fool
said Hugh. "You are planning to blot
out an invaluable record Of time-un.
earthing and preserving such records
is my life work. It's going to be a
very personal fight with me-"
20 in that way, yes! understand"
said Grafton. But" here he rose and
shook hands with Hugh, II like YOU
just the same"
Pm afraid you may not feel the
same way when I'm through" re-
turned Hugh with twisted smile.
."Yes, l shalt" Grafton's voice was
sincere and little amused. He light
ed fresh cigarette, nodded at Frsd,
and left the book shop.
Hugh and Fred stared at each
other Fred cleared his throat. "He
amt false alarm. It's real fire this
time, Hughie."
what the devil can do, Fred?
bluffed as hard as could, but
honestly don't know which way to
turn"
eff Bookie was here now" groaued
Fred, "he'd know exactly who to see
and what wires to pull"
Hugh bit his lip, thoughtfully. He
himself knew not moneyed man nor
politician of weight in the state
"How could l possibly have foreseen, u
he exclaimed, irritably, that I'd ever
have to fight this kind Of thing?"
"How about these geology friends
of yours down east and everywhere?
asked Fred.
"I'll write them at once. But they're
all poor, of course"
well, there's your Miss Page. She's
in a bank. Make her get you some
money. BY the jumping heck, WON
an ought to do man little real good
| once in while!"
"If you think I'd get money from q
woman, Fred, you don't know me
that's all. But 1 will write her fol-
advice"
advice, hell! What you want IL
enough money to go up to Cheyenne
and buy the Public Utilities Commits
sion with. Come down to earth
Hughie!"
"You talk like crook, Fred. II
didn't know you were 80 blamed hon
est you bend backward, I'd throw you
out the rear window" Hugh was snlil