Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-10-20

'ONertine, lachtll ItSpouueu.
"Was she nice to you after | leftr'
-er-ah-platonic."
"Aggh" Crooked Bill growled deep
Bin his throat. like an aged tiger. "Go
shome. you jellyish. You'd be BACH
elor in the South Sea islands--and on
an island where they practice polyan-
dry
Thoroughly disguised he returned
TO the house. lie had presentiment
that Fate was. in a manner of speak
Ing. stacking the cards against him.
Next morning Crooked Bill caught
an early train to the city. explaining
that the sooner he swept up the frag-
ments of his scattered fortunes the
better for all concerned.
Roberta motored In little later
and went at once to Glenn Hackett's
office. where he prepared and she
signed n formal assignment of all Of
her right. title and interest in and
to her Uncle Toms estate to Hackett,
for and In consideration of certain
moneys to be advanced to her by
Hackett.
Nov. then, Roberta Hackett said
when the document was signed, you
understand that this Is business deal
from first to last. Not speck of
sentiment in it so far rs | am con-
cerned While you hive given me
security for the funds | am to adj
vance, ii may be that | will be called
upon to advance Il sum In excess of
the total value OF your Uncle Toms
estate. Consequently, 1t Is of the ut
most Importance that the estate should
be administered wisely and conserved.
| have looked up your lawyer at Los
Algodones. Don prudenco Alviso.
and he appears to have an excellent
record for probity but is a poor busi-
ness man. II =
"He assures me Don Jaime Miguel
Higuenes Is most reliable and Is doing
| all that anybody can do to conserve
the estate" Roberta FASTENED to as
sure Hackett.
II know. But the thought occurs
| to me- Why is Don Jaime Miguel
| Higuenes taking all this trouble?
What do you mean to him? He Is a
| cattleman. SO why should he bother
with your Sheep My dear Bobby,
am highly suspicious Of that fellow
Bobby's lip dropped. She had not
| thought of Don Jaime In that light be-
fore, and her common sense warned
| her that there might be more than a
modicum of truth In Hackett's sus-
picions. He saw the doubt he had
planted burgeonlng, and FASTENED to
mid It's growth.
AS | told you before. 1t Is impos
sible for me to go to Texas to look
after your affairs. Bobby. Your I'M
fortunate uncle dare not leave New
York at this time either. His cred
itors might think he was endeavoring
to flee the country. Consequently,
think 1t is OF the utmost Importance
that you 60 to Los Algodones imme-
diately and investigate everything
thoroughly"
"But, Glenn, don't know thing
about business, and I'm afraid It's too
big an order"
Il disagree with you. You have a
feminine intuition Of the highest de-
gree Of development. II you 60 there,
get acquainted with your lawyer and
Don jaime and, after a few weeks,
discover that you have absolutely no
mental reservations regarding either
or both. | shall think it quite safe to
leave your affairs In their hands for
the present. al least"
This adroit speech nattered Roberta,
since 1t was corroborating belief she
had always entertained. |. e., that she
could look through men as If they
were glass. Her respect for Hacketts
intelligence and ability increased at
once. "I'll 20 to Los Algodones just
as soon rs | can get ready" she de-
clared
That's fine, Roberta" He escorted
her to the elevator and upon return
ing to his office pressed buzzer three
Ftimes, whereupon his secretary ush-
cred In to him from an adjoining room
no less person than Crooked Bill.
well, have you sold her the idea
that she should 90 to Los Algodones?'
he demanded Of the lawyer.
Il have. She promised me she
would 60 as soon as she could &c
ready"
Crooked Bill rubbed his hands pleas
urably. Hackett handed him the as
slgnment which Roberta had JUS
given him, and Crooked Bill set fire t
1t and dropped 1t into Hacketts meta
waste basket.
Have you confidence in this jain
Higuenes, Mr.. Latham?" Hacket
queried
How do | known He's a perfec
stranger to me. However, his fathe
and grandfather were both muy cabal
lero to the nth degree and never care
enough about money to get it b
J crooked or unfair means. And I'm
great believer In heredity. | have.
strong suspicion that Don Jaime
equipped with complete set Of II
bernian inner works, and | have neye