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Show CHAPTER XVM Continued. I "Tnlkln' about what" 15 I "IIlB SWOCthonrt. Now hn I The relief that Sandy felt, and din missed as selfish, was marred by th cordial understanding that bad spruni up between the two. no wondcrei If they had discovered a real attach ment for each other. "I'll hare to go first thins tomor row," said Westlofce. 'Tin sorry, too They'vo come up to my counter-offer Bourke, and they want mo to como oi immediately. It means n lot to mc Everything," ho ndded, with n smlli that Molly returned. "You'll write?" alio said. "Yoi promised." Miranda broko In. "I'm sure gla( It's good news," sho said. 'Tvo go gome of my own. Thcro's bee: trouble out to Jim Pllmsoll's. Ho sho at Wyntt or Wyntt at him, I don' know which rightly. But thero wni tides taken an' a gcn'ral rumpus Several of his men quit or was rur off the place. Pllmsoll's almln' to sel out, Ed heard. It'll be a good rid dance." "I'll have a telegram fo' you to takt back, Mlrnndy," said Sandy. 'Tot lendln' one, Westlake?" "If you'll take It, Miss Bailey." "Glad to." Wcstlako and Molly were botl standing. They moved toward the door and out to tho moonlit verandt together. They seem to hit it off well, thai pair," said Miranda. Kate Nicholson murmured somo thing about the kitchen and left th room to nttend to some refreshments "Now tell me about Keith," de i manded Miranda. "What's ho beer up to?" Sandy told her. J 1 "I ain't n mite surprised. Thai j Westlake acts white. I liked hitr i from the start. What are you goln to do about Molly? You ain't told her yet?" "No use spollln' her holiday befo we have to," said Sandy. "I'm goln to talk with Keith first." Kate Nicholson returned and th J talk changed. Westlake and Mollj I remained outside until the food wot H lervcd. Then there wns music. MI 'I I randa departed at last with the tele I pnms. Molly lingered as good-nlghtc I I were said. "I've got something to tell you, Sandy," she said. "It's private, foi A the present," she added with a glance L Howard Westlake. 'j7t Sandy sat down by the Are with o Making qualm. Molly perched hcrscll I M Bon the arm of his chair, silent for o I koment or two. I "It's a lovo story, Sandy," sho said "Westlakor I "Yes. He wanted me to tell you be ore he went He's very fond of you I "Is he?" Sandy spoke slowly, rous " sj himself with an effort. "I think It'i a fine chap. I sure wish him all i luck in the world." Ho fancied ii voice sounded flat "I suppose you wondered why w( ere so chummy all the evening?" I "Yes. I wondered n H'l about that' tear did not look at her, but gazed una o llnd)r 8jt rhere 8mokino C0J H o After Cloaretto. ngter. ,Mv,t.(1ln8 Are. Ho saw hlmsel Dhrr n-m ttere, lonely, woman-ahy one ntrn. MT'h the ,0"S stretch c jovs w,h.,fBi, l"1 a letter coming onco i , to un0thurBw.;?m ott places telling c vli6 or.b"MJMi "t ho had hoped fo 'l Hfi! K knuwn could not bo fo ilc' WLBw Uourke' cow-punchei lhMi Jy flr 8'rl he had seen fo becausa KJfjn see," Molly was sa: ad- Sv it ad t0 tnl" t over wit -stj ,0'1 me about It fin v wal and then tbe telegrai ww Kwt( uw VMU Ui h ry her with this opportunity. 8 e may sail with him. Isn't it flno? S showed mo her picture." 1 "It's tho best news I'vo heard fo' i- long time," answered Sandy sober "I'm sleepy," said Molly. HUo - night, Sandy, dear." . Sho put her lips to his tanned che , and left him In n maze. Tho dyl i flro leaped up and tho room Hgl i. cned. It died down ngoln, but San a sat there, smoking clgnretto nfl cigarette. CHAPTER XVIII t Dehorned, i Miranda Bailey had offored to coi t In for Wcstlako with her car, but t t train went early nnd ho had rofust 9 Molly drovo him In tho buckboard, 1 , grips Btowcd behind, and Sandy si i them go with tho old light back 1 his eyes. Ho gnvo Westlake a gi of tho hand that mado htm wince "You can rely upon my Informatl j being correct" wero Westlake's It I words, spoken asldo boforo he climb Into tho buckbonnl and Molly flirt tho reins over tho backs of the tot shooting off at top speed, i Sho como back a little beforo no ) her oyes wide with excitement i "Mr. Keith's in town." sho sa "With Donald nnd his secretary, I t Blake. Ho asked mo if Mr. Wcstla had been hero and ho seemed annoy . when I told him I had just seen h j off on tho train. They all came fr Casey Town In tho big car. Mr. Kcl . has some business In Hereford. 1 i and Mr. Blake will stay on their r vato car. Ho told mo to tell you would bo out tomorrow to see yi t Oh, hero's a telegram for you." , "Thanks." Sandy tucked tho velopo In his pocket, "nop out, M 1 ly, an' I'll put up the team." "I'll help you. I haven't forgott how to unhitch." Hor nlmblo flngi worked as fast as Sandy's w buckles, colling traces nnd loop! , rolns. r "Goln' to take Donald Keith out , a real ride on a real hawss?" , asked her. "Yes. Tomorrow. Ho's keen to , You'll come. And Sam and Kate?" 'Tve got a hunch I'm goln' to busy ter-morrer. Keith's comln, : '. ono thing." , "I forgot I wish you could comi Molly went Into tho houso and t opened the telegram. It was frc , Brandon, as ho expected. L "Thanks. Coming immediately. W starting anyway. That trap worke I May need horses for eight Will yi arrango? "BItANDON." "It sura looks like a busy day t , morror," Sandy said half alov "Keith and Brandon which men . roundln' up Jim Pllmsoll. Sam doi : get to any picnic, either. Ho'll ha I to 'tend to tho hawsses." I The Keith touring car arrived nild-aftemoon with young Keith tho wheel, tho chauffeur beside hi; grips In the tonnenu. Young Keith I ' spected tho corrals and the stock wl I eager interest and the riders with certain measure of awo, which 1 transferred to Sandy on learning th he had broken two colts that morale "Know what tlmo yoro father c pects to be out?" Sandy asked him. "Ho didn't say. no's got somo bui ncss to nttend to. Some tlmo in tl forenoon, I imagine." Keith Senior arrived nftcr lun had been cleared the next day. I was brisk and brusque, brcathli prosperity. , "I was detained In Hereto: Bourke," ho sold. "I haven't much tin for anything but a flying visit Do old's out with Molly, you say. I lcavo him with you on your Invll tlon and pick him up when we i back East That will be In about week. Sooner than I expected. 1 llko to spare a day to look over tl ranch. Tve heard flno things obo It." '"Thanks," drawled Sandy laconlci ly. "Glad to have a talk with yo Sara, Mr. Blake might llko to see U hawsses gentled that came up tt mo'nln'." Keith raised his eyebrows but sa nothing. Leaving Blake, Sandy I Keith to his offlce, rolled a clgarctl offered a chair to his visitor ai l" smoked, waiting for tho latter open tho talk, f "Thcro aro somo papers for you o examine, as Molly's guardian." sa if Keith. "But Blako has them." n "Wo'll tnko thorn up later. An ,f thin' clso7" ,r "Nothing of great Importance, ir hear Wcstlako has been over hci r Bourke. We had a misunderstands ' Sorry to lose him, slnco you recoi ,r mended him. His opinion cIobii j. with that of my englnccr-ln-chari h an expert of high standing. Westln ,t wns hot-headed and would not bro n being overruled. There Is no dou bat that he was mistaken. He Is - u muni strike me thnt w said Sandy. "Mo, I set a good on his opinion." 5 didn't imogino you know n about mining, Bourke." Keith lo 5 nt his watch. "I'll really havo t 5 Kolng as soon as you havo looked 5 those papers. Undn't wo better 5 Bloke?" 5 Sandy looked out of tho wtm Ho saw Miranda Bailey's flivver 1 lng by the big car, Mormon wal townrd her, and wondered what s brought her over. Then ho saw ! s mon lenve Miranda and como toi; 5 tho ofllco, bowling along at top si E "Excuso mo a minute, Keith," 5 said. "My partner wants to see 5 Keith's face wore n bcowI as Si Btepped outside. His consclenco not entirely clear and ho did not ar- tho general atmosphere of tho o ho He took out a cigar, bit off tho EIo savagely and lit It "Mlrnndy wants to seo you," pa a Mormon. "She's found out some ly. about Keith that suro showB his i )d- Ho's been dlscnrdln'l" Tho Keith chauffeur had wand ek off to tho corrals where Sam ng showing Blako around. Miranda h (it- od Sandy a long envelope dy "Hen Collins had an accident :cr night" oho snld. "Blow a tiro on bridge by our plnco an' sma through tho ratlin'. Bu'stcd a ri two an' wns knocked out Wo him in. Hen wns grateful to Ei takin' him In an' putUn' him to no an' scndln' fo' tho doctor. Don't he thnt cnvellup, that Keith weasel it id. bo looktn'. I reckon you'll won its spring It on him sudden." iw "Suro," said Sandy. "Spring wh in "I'm flustered." admitted Mlra rip "I usually talk straight Now start to tho bogtnntn'. When H on arrived on this trip ho held qui ist reception in his private car. Ed ed thcro with tho rest He invited I ed up fo' cigars. Talked big about C vm Town an' gen'ally patted hlmsel tho bock. Said It was too bod all jn, stock of tho Molly wasn't locally, but of co'se tho poro pron Id. had to hove Komothln' fo' his m ir. He was real affable, ko "Tills time, when he como back od terdoy, ho brings up tho subject t lm I don't know how mnny ho sai 3tn jest what ho said, but this Is whe Ith told Hen. That Casey Town EIo boomln' big an' that his own hoi irl- was nettln' him n heap. Tha ho liked Hen flno an' had picked hln JU. as a representative citizen. Wi lot mo' slush, the upshot of v en- was that he lets him have a huri ol- shares of tho Molly mlno at par. was to say nothln' about It bee en soys Kolth, If It got out ho was s 2rs stock, it would send down tho prl Ith the shares. Hen was euro tic ng Ho w'udn't havo said a word i it on'y Ed picks these shares u fo of tho bed of tho crick an glvo ho to ncn ofteh he'd been fixed up "Ed went nosin' around Hen this raornln'. no got eight m thotr names is Inside the envelo D(J Creel one of 'em to admit I fo bought some shores. Mighty they was to havo 'em. Ed didn't 'em anything different but ho i ho scootln' homo at noon an' I born ,m Hen's certlflcut, seeln' ho was os An' here it la." ns "Mlrandy," said Sandy, 'Til Ml. Mormon tell you what we all thin ou you. You'vo suro dealt mo on ai He returned to tho office. H eyed the envelope. r- "Blake coming?" ho asked. ( id. "Not yet When do wo get nno ns dividend from tho Molly, Keith?" i't Keith laughed. "Needing i vo ready money?" "now about the dividend?" In "Why, that depends upon the nt put" Keith's voice purred but m, eyes hnd narrowed. "The output n- been big. The Molly has bee th bonanza, so for. I do not thin n wlso always to pay dividends ncc be lng to the Immediate produc at however. It is better, os a rule ig. avcrago It generally to develop x- mine as n wholo rather than work first rich veins." si "That why you boarded up bo stopes?" Keith's face grow dork. Tho v ch twitched nt his temples. Io "Look hore, Bourke," ho blustt ag "You've been listening to some talk from that cub, Westlake. I k d, ray business. You'vo got somo s no In the mine, twcntyflvo per cent n put money nnd brains Into It nnd '11 got forty-nine per cent Molly , :a "If you had fo'ty-nlno per cci so wouldn't bo worryln so much." n "What tho dovll do you mean? :'d "I took you fo' a bet t eh gam bo than to git mad," said Sandy, ut Jest ask you a question on bchnl myso'f an' partners' twenty-flvo il cent an' Molly's twenty-six, me 1 iu. her guardian. Plump an' plain. Is ho Molly pinched out? How about ll its "It's a d d falsehood." "Then why aro you soil In' Id stock?" od Tho words enmo llko bullets to, Sandy whipped tho certificate ou id the envclopo nnd slapped It srai to on the desk. Keith whitened, flu again, recovered hlmeslf. to "If I was not friendly to Id Bourke, I should take that ns n d Insult. I can understand that yot iy- llevo In Wcstlako and tako etoc! what ho told you. But ho is a I charged employee, no has every re, son . . ,H ig. Sandy held up his hand, m- "He's a friend of mine," ho i ed "Keith, I may not know tho m ;o, game -ns you ploy It. In somo ko It's gomblln', llko playln' poker, ok played that a heap. I can tell p ibt well when n man's bluflln'. M a you're losln' somo of yoro nerve ay, bellovo you. An' hore'B thlo deal you sold. Tvo got th names of you sold it to. Why?" inch "I havo n right to sell my stw jkod "You ain't goln' to exercise J bo right Keith. You may make a over ncss sellln' chances to folks wht cnll to buy 'cm. but you can't sell : fo'd folks paper when they low. they're buyln' gold. You'll glv iinlt tho money you got fo' tho shores king a list of tho men you sold 'cm I hnd I'll tell 'cm tho Molly Is pinched Mor- as It Is." eard "You must b crazy, roan I ccd. wouldn't bcllcvo you. If you ho round with a statement llko that mo. ' lose every cent of your own nnd mdy word's. You havo no right . . wnB "Trouble is with you, you llko know tho meonln' of that laBt v tnco. said Sandy, "night Is Jest w: end nlm to do. Wo'll put It up to an' you'll seo whoro she stands, nted don't do business out West the thin' you do. Wo don't rob our frlcn jlny. even try an' run a razoo on strnt Tho Molly'll shut down. I'll gl ercd to give me a statomcnt 'long wit was money an' the list fo' mo to chc and- soyln' you'vo Jest hnd news the has petered out sudden -llko It last That's lettln you down easy, tho doln' this 'count of the fact you shed havo looked out fo' Molly. Ar ti or tellln' you, Keith, thnt, If He took folks know you'd deliberately I fo' them rotten stock, you an yor bed vato cor might suffer consld jpen damage befo' you got away. I'd light advlso you to como across." t to Keith looked into tho face of ! and, briefly, Into his eyes, tin: at?" stocl. He mado ono' mora, attcc nda. "Let's talk common sense, B I'll Tho Molly Is capitalized for a qi :clth of a million dollars. The stocl to a bo sold at par If It's done quiet Wed. HH them IBflLH ford HH en fHMV-HHsl Jiey Ko,tn "ook' into tho Face of glad and' Brien'' ,nto Hi Ee tell M 8tw1, :ome can dispose of it for you. Th wed no certainty that the mine wl Icep. produce richly when wo through tho second level of por let There are plenty of people willl k of buy shares on that chanco aft :c.M showing already made. Peoph 'elth stock as a gamble." "No sense in you talkin' an; that way, Keith. Mebbe you se ther per to folks who gamble on I on what you tell 'em about omo chances, makln' yore story gol orod. Folks may llko to git som fo' ncx' to nothln', but Z won' out 'cm nothln' fo somothln', nclthel h'8 my partners, neltheh will has Casey. She's a western gel. . Q all, I won't gold-brick my frlem k know tho mine Is petered out ' ord had our shore of the gold In I tlon, Wo won't sell tho dirt No mo' , to pnt Casey, lyln' out there bj tho spring, If ho was allvo." tho "Suppose I refuser asked J his square fact obstinate. "Pvo no nothing outsldo tho law." "To h 1 with that kind of elns yj0 maijQ awa 0f our own out once in a while. Justice is whi 'red- loot f0f not iaw i reckon fool conjg through. Fo' ono thing I c now to havo yoro boy visit with o lock you d0 I've promoter's face twisted 1 TJJ and he lost control of himself. ' "Kidnaping? A western moth it I justice. Not tho first time j , been mixed up in it either, from I hoar. You don't dare . , bier Keith stopped abruptly. I had not moved, but his eyes, fro 1 of scmbllng orbs of chilled steel, si per suddenly to throw off tho blaxi e!n' nent 0f the molten mctaL the f0' a promoter yo're a n poro Judgo of men," ho said. warnln' you not to ride any fi Pnr along that trail. Yore son can here, or wo can tell tho nerofo'i I as wm you'vo tried to hand to ' Yo'ro opt to look like a buzzard 'f-'y fallen Into n tnr barrel after th shed through with you, Keith. I ca: out who you sold stock to yu' enough, but I don't enro to was lrect time. Yon on' mo can ride Into ' bc" In yore car an' clean this all up ,n tho Tiank closes. Wo'll leav dls- money with Creel of the Ilerefo "fl tlonol. Then you con como bm git yoro boy." "I don't remember tho i |