The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-09-30
CLOSING OUT SALE:
ERyTHINC GOING AT COST!

Such an announcement could mean
only one thing: Colonel Brannon in
eended leaving Yakima for the east.
To Quinby the east meant New York
and Virgins Confound himl The
thought was narrowing.
Not that Qlinby really cared wheth-
er Colonel Brannon htnsolf remained
in Yakima It wasn't the colonel
But the colonel's dsushterl
Miss Brannon. presiding as cashier
in snug little brass cage near the
center Of the floor. smiled pleasantly
at Quinby's approach
FLORENCE" he exclaimed, what
does that sign in the window mean z
1t meant just exactly what he had
surrnised: Business was dull-very
dull. Since the boom had become an
event of the past-since the zinc
craze had subsidized the prosperity OF
Yakima had been on the wane Fam
lilies were daily leaving the town, and
an oppressive lull was gradually tax
ing the place of the livelier times
when the miners, by the hundreds,
had sought, in vain. for the mythical
riches of the hills.
Accordingly, Colonel Brannon had
decided to return to the east.
would probably be q year or more
before he could dispose of his stock,
il business continued to decrease.
Quinby sighed. Poor, easy-going
Ouinby. who had never known trou-
/ Ia x,aov, nr1r,4auf ~ pnioU
what pleasures he might from the
bountiful allowance OF his father, and
who had never lost minutes sleep
grieving over the rapidly diminishing
population of Wakinna-he actually
sighed. simultaneously his mind re
yerted to New York and to Virgins.
Virgins, representing large cloth
ing Arm, had visited Yakima semi
annually, such visits being the source
of great discomfort to Quinby, for
Quinby was only human, and, being
human, he was at times the victim OF
jealousy. And while little touch OF
jealousy twice year could be endur-
ed, the very thought Of his sweetheart
slipping from him and going to the
city where this fellow, Virgins, re-
sided, was enough to drive him to dis
traction.
Under ordinary conditions, Quinby
could have watched Yakima dwindle
into nothingness without single
pang. But present conditions were
not ordinary. Something, anything
must be done to hold Colonel Bran
non, and incidentally Miss Brannon,
in town.
Even with his liberal allowance
Quinby disliked to ask Miss Brannon
to become his wife until he had, at
least, demonstrated to the colonel that
he was good for something else be-
sides spending his fathers money. Yet,
in reality, what else was he capable
of doingY
His existence had been remarkably
free from toll Of any description, ply
acal or mental. Being sufferer from
rheumatism, his excuse for engaging
In no manual labor was excellent.
When he left the store his condition
was no more cheerful than 1t had been
when he entered. And for the next
week he wore gloomier expression
chan he had ever worn before
Plan as he might, he could conceive
Of no possible means by whioh Colonel
Brannon could be persuaded TO re-
main Ia Yakima.
In his restlessness he strolled, or
rather 1imped, about the little village.
gazing with disappointment at the de-
serted mines from which had been tax
en- unsightly heaps Of clay and stone
but little If any mineral
His own property, the Sucker Fiat
Land, so named by wag who claim
ed that more suckers had gone hat
broke there than on any other land
In the district lay deserted between
steep, rocky hills. Since work on the
property had ceased. a lake of fine
rich, blue mud had formed over
large portion Of the area, and this.
heing fed by numerous stea1ning hot
springs. that had at one time been
the source Of great annoyance to the
miners. was kept In g constant state
OF vapory moisture
Quinby one day, eyed his possession
digustedly.
Z couldn't sen II for flfty cents an
acre." he grumbled.
A few hours later, By some miracle
Of chance. Qutnhy became interested
in magazine article pertaining TO
diamonds and TO diamond mining. and
when he learned that the precious
stones were often found beneath de.
p0sits Of blue mud the thought flashed
asroas his mind that the mud ON hia
own land was Of . biuish tint.
Although the idaa was abaurd IN the
extrame, Quinhy FesPone6 tbat e was
possible tlSax diamonds might be found
in America as ven as IN South Africa
or any other ccwmfxy.
At frsk he txfpa - expei from hdR
mind ssash q seaasah thcngha
why, itss Esaiculoas.@ no would ex-
claim, but . shnxt While aftag ~
would again end Aimsslf thauhtng saE1-
0usly On the mates
~StSu. stranger dsaceves&es have
hoen made he would EaaeeA.