The Washington times., 1938-01-19

longs for a country place
and-babies.
They had been at the cottage
six weeks when the Workmen
started to level off the field across
the road.
A new house, Johnny decided.
Or maybe a gas station. At any
rate neighbors would be pleasant.
He watched the workmen lift a
large sign, nail it to wooden up
rights.
And then, suddenly. Johnny's
heart went into tap-dance. The
big, black letters of the sign
burned themselves into his brain.
NEW RANGE
THE Site of Hardwick's New
Lakeside Gun Club. Perfect loca-
ton, finest equipment, luxurious
clubhouse. To open November
first"
A sick telling rose in Johnny'S
stomach. 1t was all so clear, now.
Hardwick, making no mention of
his plans for a new range, selling
the old one for three thousand.
He'd know then that in a few
months the place would be worth
less. Known, too, that Johnny,
after losing his customers, would
be unable to meet the mortgage
payments.
Thus, he, Harwick, would secure
both properties, in addition to
Johnny's thousand-dollar down
payment. Shoulders sagging,
Johnny turned toward the house.
Stella, standing on the porch,
listened very erect, very still.
Sorry, Stel." Johnny fought
against the break in his voice.
my fault. We should've stayed in
the city. Guess I wasn't meant to
be anything but. a small shot.
Nine years of doing without things
:. and now"
JOHNNY" She touched his
face, softly. all the dormant
mother love of her reflected in the
gesture. You mustn't say that!
Well get along somehow! And
whatever happens, I'll regret this |!
Never!"
"Stel-" he whispered.
q"
The blast Of a horn interrupted
him. Johnny glanced at the sleek
sedan in the driveway. A party of
marksmen out from the city for q
mornings practice. Eyes bleak,
Johnny plodded wearily toward
the range.
whats the matter. SOM" A
big, red-faced man grinned. Lose
your last friend?"
"Hardwick, Johnny muttered.
Hes opening a new range. Right
across the way. New traps, swell
clubhouse. . everything!"
TOUGH BREAK
Hmm" The man slipped a shell
into his little .41O. kiss your Gus
toners good-by. Trap-shooters
can't resist new equipment. And
lots of 'em are friends of Hard
wick's."
He glanced out across the
gray-green fields. I'll hate to SET
this old place close. When 1 think
Of the hours I've spent here, the
thousands of rounds I've fired {.
Hard lines, SON."
Johnny moved toward the trap
release.
Little shot," he muttered.
Then, very thoughtfully. Little
shot -"
The opening of the new range
brought a stream Of automobiles,
a crowd of sportsmen. Johnny
and Stella were sitting on their
front steps, watching, when a
short, stocky figure crossed the
road. 1t was Hardwick. Grinning
"How's buSineSs?" He laughed
harsh, triumphant laugh.
Stella stretched lazily, thrust
her slim brown legs into a patch
of sunlight.
Cant complain" she replied
Were thinking of buying couple
of hundred acres for farming"
'Huh!" Hardwick snorted. INC
use trying to put up a bluff! There
hasn't been a person here al
day!"
You're wrong!" Johnny leaned
back, chuckling. There was q
chap here this morning. An agent
from Amalgamated Lead. Gave
me this" He held up a slip OF
greenish paper.
Hardwick stared, his eyes pop
ping.
Ten ten thousand dollars!'
he gasped. what )"
Mining rights to the ole
range" Johnny slipped the check
into his pocket. "Just think, Mr.
Hardwick, for 20 years people have
been firing shot-guns, scattering
pellets over those four acres back
there.
why, the range is almost Solic
lead. the agent figured! Ten thou
sand dollars is a fair price, Mr.
Hardwick, for just . little shot!
THE END.