roun
THE ALLIANCE HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1921
iC0W PUNCHER
0ll dfeX 'kiUW.r. nd otLr poem.
CHAPTER IX
ify It
1
Yery slowly tt dawned upon Mr.
Hardy that this respectable, thriving
tlty,-, with It well-dressed, properly
tnsnnend ieople, Its public spirit, Its
tjCfresslvcne, Its churches and thea
ter, and schools. Km Ihw and order,
and It afternoon teas, after all. wan
the rnl Went ; sincere, earnest ; crude,
jwrhaps; hare, certainly; the war of
lit recent battle with the wilderness
Hill fresh upon Its person ; lacking the
flfehwi that only time ran give to a
landscape or a civilization ; hut lack
ing also the moldiness, the mustlness,
the insufferable artificiality 'of older
communities. Kven Mrs. Hardy,
Meeped for sixty years In a life of
precedent and rule and caste, hcKun
to catch the enthusiasm of a new land
ihere precedent and rule and caste
re aomethliiK of a handicap.
"We must huy a home," she said to
Irene. "We cannot afford to continue
living at a hotel, and we roust have
oar own home. You must look up a
resionsllle dealer whose advice we
ran trust In a matter of this kind."
And was It remarkahfe that Irene
Hardy should think at once of the Arm
f 'on ward A Klden? It was not. Fhe
liad, Indeed, heen thinking of a mem
Iter of that firm ever since the decision
to move to the West. The fact Is
Irene hud not hecn at all sure that bhe
wanted to marry Dave Klden. She
vanted very much to meet him again;
she was curious to know how the years
liad fared with him, and her curioslt)
as not unmixed with a finer sent I
tnent ; hut she was not at all sure that
the should marry him.
"What. Dave Klden. the million
aire?" Itert Morrison had said. "Kvcry-
txxly knows him." And then the news
mper woman hud gone on to tell what
figure Pave was In the huslness life
f the city. "One of our Mggcut young
men," Ilert Morrison hail said. "Ite-
nerved, tr little; likes his own company
test ; hut absolutely white."
That gave a new turn to the situa
tion. Irene hud always wanted I hive
to he a success; suddenly she doubted
Whether she had wan ed him to he so
Mg a success. She liad doubted wheth
er she should wish to marry Dave;
flie had never allow ed herself to doubt
.jMjnt Dave would wish to marry her.
Ferret ly, she had expected to rather
Wzle lilm with her ten years' devel
opment with the culture and Knowl
edge" which study and Travel ami life
lind added to the charm of her young
glrlho'Hi; and suddenly she realized
Unit her luster would shine but dimly
In the greater glory of his own. . . .
It was easy to locate the olllce of
('onward Si Klden; it sood on a prin
cipal corner of a principal street.
Thence she led her mother, and found
herself trending on the marble floors
of the richly appointed waiting room
In n secre4 excitement which she could
with dlfliculty conceal. She was, In
deed, very uncertain about the next
development. . . . Her mother hud
to be reckoned with.
A young man asked courteously
What could be done for them.
"We want to see the head of the
f rm," said Mrs. Hardy. "We want to
tuy a house."
They were shown Into Conward's
fllce. ('onward gave them the wel-
come of a mau who expects to make
money out of his visitors, lie placed
a very comfortable chair for Mrs.
Hardy; he adjusted the blinds toi'a
lilcety: he discarded his cigarette and
ttenmed upon them with as great n
tdiow of cordiality as his somewhat
leefy appearance would permit. Mrs.
Hardy ou'lined her life history with
considerable detail -md ended with the
confession that the West was not as
tad as she had fe.ired and. anyway. It
vas a case of living here or dying else
where, so she would have to make the
licsf of It. And here they were. And
Inlgnt they see a house?
('onward appeared to he reflecting.
As a matter of fact, he saw In this In
experienced buyer un opportunity to
reduce his holdings In anticipation of
the Impending crash. 1IW difficulty
vas tbut he had no key to the finan
cial resources of his visitors. The
nly thing was to throw out a feeler.
"You are wanting a nice home, I
take It, that can be bought at a favor
able price for cash. You would con
sider an investment of, say "
He paused, and Mrs. Hardy supplied
the information for which he wes
vaitlng. "About twenty-five thousand
dollars," she said.
"We can hardly -invest that much."
-'-Irene lntewiip'led, in a whisper. "We
inut have something to live on."
"People here live on llie profits of
their Investments, do they not, Mr.
t'-onward?" Mrs. Jlardy Inquired.
"Oh, certainly." ('onward agreed,
nnd he plunged Into a mass of Inci
dents to show how profitable invest
ments bad been to other clients of the
firm. Then bis mood of deliberation
gave way to one of briskness; he sum
tnoned a car, and In a few minutes his
clients were looking over the property
which he liad recommended. Mrs,
Hurdy was an amateurish buyer, her
tendency being alternately to excess
of caution on one side and reckless
ness tut the other. Conward's manner
Ideas d her; the house he showed
ldeased her, and she was eager to have
It over with. Hut he was too shrewd
1. ?l'np:?J.r ti encourage u has'jr Jeei-
slmiT T7e did rioT scire upon Mrs.
Hardy's remark that the house seemed
perfectly satisfactory; on the con
trary, he Insisted on showing other
houses, which. he quoted at such Itn
IMissible figures that presently the old
lady was In a feverish bas e to make
a deposl; lest Mine other buyer should
forestall her.
Hack In Conward's office, while the
agreement was being drawn, Irene was
Hssescd of a consuming desire to
consult with Dnve Klden. She was
uneasy about this transaction In which
her mother proposed so precipitately
I them. It was common knowledge in
Inside circles that the bottom was
going out. The firm of Conward A
Klden had been scurrying for cover, as
quietly and secretly as possible, to
avoid alarming the public, but scurry
ing for cover, nevertheless. Ami Dave
had acquiesced In that policy. His
position was extremely difficult.
"I don't think I would be In a hurry
to buy," he snld, slowly turning his
eyes on his partner. "You would per
haps be wiser to rent a home for u
while. Kent s ure becoming easier."
"Hut I have bought." said Mrs.
Hardy, nnd there was triumph rather
than regret In her voice. "I have paid
my deiHisltV
"It Is the policy of this firm," Klden
continued, "not to force or take ad
vantage of hurried decisions. The fact
that you have already made a depoHlt
docs not alter that policy. I think I
may speak for my partner and the
firm when I say that your ileitosit will
be held to your credit for thirty days,
during which time It will constitute an
option on the property which you hove
selected. If, at the end of that time.
to Invest the grca'er part of their lit-1 you are still of your present mind, the
tie fortune. "I think I would -esltate,
mother," she cred. "If you buy this
house we will have only a few thou
sand dollars left. Your health may de
mand other expenditurei
" "My health was never better," Mrs.
Hardy Interrupted. "And I'm not
going to miss a chance like this, health
or no health. You have heard Mr.
Conward tell how ninny people have
grown wealthy buying property and
selling It again. And I will sell It I
again when I get my price."
"It Is as your mother gays," Con
ward Interjected. "There are very
rapid Increases In value. I would not
transaction can go through as now-
planned; and If yon have changed
your mind your dejMslt will be re
turned."
(V.iw'ard shifted under Dave's direct
eye. He preferred to look at Mrs.
Hardy. "What Mr. Klden has told
you about the policy of the firm Is
quite true," he nianuged to say. "But,
as It happens, this transact ion Is not
with Couwurd A Klden, but with me
personally. I find It necessary to dis
pose of the property which I have Just
sold to you at such an exceptional
price" he was looking at Mrs. Hardy
"and naturally I cannot run a chance
be surprised If you should be offered of ,)nvn(f my pIans ovrt.,uriw(! hy Bnv
an advance of ten thousand dollars on
this place before fall."
"There must be an end somewhere,"
Irene murmured, rather weakly.
Ilut her mother was writing a check.
"I shut! give you five thousand dollars
&r f
"There Must Be an End Somewhere,"
Irene Murmured, Rather Weakly.
now," she snld, "and the balance when
you give me the deed, or whatev r It
Is. That Is the proper way, Isn't It?"
"Well, it's done," said Irene with nii
uneasy laugh which her excitement
pitched u little higher than she had
intended.
In an adjoining room Dave Klden
heard that laugh, and It stirred some
remembrance In him. Instantly he
connected It with Irene Hardy. The
truth was Irene Hardy had been In
the background of his nnml during
every waking hour since Hert Mor
rison had dropped her bombshell upon
him. And now that voice
Dave bad no plan. He simply
walked into Conward's office. Ills eye
possible change of mind on your pnrt."
"I am entirely satisfied," snld Mrs.
Hardy. "The fuct that Mr. Klden
wants to. get the property back makes
me more satisfied." she added, with
the peculiarly Irritating laugh of a
woman who thinks she Is extraordi
narily 6hrewd and is only very silly.
"The agreement Is signed?" said
Dave. He walked to the desk and
picked up the docunien's, nnd the
check that lay upon them. Ills eye
ran down the familiar contract. "This
agreement is In the name of Conward
& Klden." he said. ".This check Is
payable to ('onward & Klden."
Conward's livid face hnd become
white, and It was with difficulty he
controlled his anger. 'They ure all
printed that way," he explained. "1
am going to have them indorsed over
to me."
"You are not," snld Dave. "You are
charging this woman twenty-five thou
sand dollars for a house that won't
bring ten thousand. The firm of Con
ward A Klden will have nothing to do
with that transaction. It won't even
indorse It over."
A fire wns burning In the grate.
Dave walked to It and very slowly and
deliberately thrust the agreement into
the flame. ,
"Well, If that doesn't bent all !" Mrs.
Hardy ejaculated. "Are all cow
punchers so discourteous?"
"I mean no discourtesy," snld Dave.
"If my behavior ban seemed abrupt, I
assure you I have only sought to serve
Doctor Hurdy's widow nnd his daugh
ter." "It Is a peculiar service," Mrs. Har
dy answered, curtly.
"I cm only apologize' for my part
ner's behavior," snld ('onward. "It need
not, however, affect the transaction In
the slightest degree. A new agreeuien'
will be drawn at once un agreement
In which the firm of Conward A Klden
Pa'ver "
When the Hardy had gone Conward
turned to Klden. "We had better try
nnd find out where we stand," he said,
trying to sp- ak dispassionately, but
thero. was a tremor In his voice.
"I agree," returned Klden. who had
no desire to evade the Issue. "Do y.u
consider It falr to select Inexperi
enced women for your victims f
Conwnrd made a deprecating ges
ture. "There l nothing to be gained
by quarreling, Dave," be said. "Let
us gef ut th" facts. When we have
agreed a to facts, then we may agree
a to procedure."
"Shoot." snld Dave. He stood with
his shoulder toward Conward. watch
ing the dusk settling about the foothill
city.
"I thick," snld Conward, "we can
agree that the boom Is over.. We hnvc
done well, on paper. The thing now
Is to convert our paper Into cash."
(Continued in K'ext Issue)
SIGNS OF ILL LUCK
Never leave a room backward.
while wearing; it is a bad omen.
If you have money in your pocket
on first sight of a new moon it is a
sign you will not be out of money be
fore the next moon.
If a spider, weaving a web in some
high "place, comes downward before
your face, you may look for money
from some unexpected Fource.
' In Paris it is beared a bank messen
ger who disappeared with 1,400,000
francs met with foul play. In the U.
S. A. it would be feared he had not.
Scientists say that 40,000 germs are
shifted with each kiss. At that rate, a
young couple ought to shift all the
germs there are in an evening's session.
BUSINESS MAN'S SCHEDULE
A Boston business man ha. the fol
lowing schedule of time for inUrvwss
hung over his desk:
My wife, never too busy.
Book agents, three seconds.
Unclassified bores, thirty ditto..
Old associates, one hour.
People to pay bills, no limit
Employees wanting increase of f al
ary, one minute.
Friends to make a touch (it takes
time to explain why you are broke),4
five minutes.
Poor relations, always out. Boston:
Transcript.
It is gleaned from the bamlkl sta
tistics that pome drive into the oiF
stations for radiator alcohol and some
to make the manager thaw out.
When the nose falls a-bleedine it is
a bad omen.
It is unlucky to hand anyone any
thing over your shoulder.
Boast of having an article for a
long time and you will lose it.
The person who sits down first at a
gathering will have good luck.
A horse falline clown hefm-A a Vine
will bring back luck to the house.
When the nose itcheth it is a sicm tf
company that day, or of good news.
If your shoestri
breaks, your sweetheart is thinking of
you.
Make a rhyme involuntarily, before
speaking again make a witdi,'and you
will get it.
Eating all the food on the table at
supper time means tomorrow will be a
fair day for you.
If you are told something and im
mediately after you- sneeze, what has
been told you is true.
Don't cross under an elevated rail
way when a train is going over it un
less you wish bad luck.
To have a picture drop out of its
frame or a stone out of its setting
Housekeepers
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HAMILTON BEACH
CARPET and RUG WASHER
Without Injury to Fabric or Color not only re
moving the dirt and grease spots but in addition
removing any moth eggs that may be in your rugs.
YOUR RUGS WILL HAVE THEIR
ORIGINAL BRIGHTNESS
Seeing is Believing! Give Us a Trial.
Rugs Called For and Delivered.
Alliance Rug Cleaning Co.
R. W. DEAL, Manager
508 Box Butte Ave.
Phones: 176, 916 . Prices Reasonable
"That will be more satisfactory.
snld Mrs. Hardy. She Intended the re
mark for Dave's ears, but he had
moved to a corner of the room and was
conversing In low tones with Irene.
"I am sorry I had to make your
mother's acquulutance under circuru-
took In the little group and the mind wl nt be concerned."
behind caught something of Its por
tent. Irene's beauty 1 What a quick
ening of the pulses was his as he saw
In this splendid 'woman the girl who
had stirred nnd returned his youthful
passion ! Hut Dave had poise, lie
walked straight to Irene.
"I beurd your voice," he said. In
quiet tones that gave no hint of the
emotion beneath." "I am very glad to
see you nguln." He took the hand
which she extended, in a firm, warm
grasp; there whs nothing in it, as
Irene protested to herself, that was
more than Hrui and warm, but It set
her finger tips a-tiugling.
. My nio'her, Mr. Klden." she man
aged to say, and she hoped her voice
whs us well controlled n his bad been.
Mis. Hardy looked on the clenn-bullt
young man with I lie dark eyes and the
bi o ii, Ninoolh face, but the name sug
gested nothing. "You remember,"
Irene went on. "I told you of Mr. El
den. It was ut bis ranch we stayed
when father was hurt."
"Itut I thought be was a cow punch
er!" exclaimed Mrs. Hardy.
"Times change quickly in Mie West,
mm
madam," said Dave. "Most of our
business men at U-ast, those bred In 1 "Are All Cow Punchers So Discour
se country have thrown u lasso iu
their day. You should bear them brag
of their steer-roping yet In the Hancli-
men's club;"
Irene's eyes danced. Iave had al
ready turned the tables; where her
mother had implied contempt he had
set up u note of pride.
"Oh, I supimse." said her mother,
for luck of it better answer, "livery
thing is so uhsurd In llie West. Hut
you were good to my daughter, and to
Hor, dear Andrew. If only he had
been spared. Women are so unused to
these business responsibilities, Mr.
('onward. It Is fortmiHte there are a
few reliable firms upon which we can
lean lu our Inexperience."
"Mother has bought a house." Irene
explained to Duve. "We thought this
was a safe place to come" A look
on Eldeu's face caused her to puuse.
"Why, whut is wrong?" she said.
Pave looked at Conward, at Mrs.
Hardy, and at Irene. He was Instant
IX aware, that iVyi'AT'L Lil'X "stunt"
8
Values Keep (Qomin
RECENT ARRIVALS THAT ADD "WIM, WIGOR AND WITALITY" TO
OUR ALREADY LARGE LIST OF FURNISHING BARGAINS.
There are lots of splendid articles of men's apparel that are waiting
only for a call from you. Prices have .been marked down in
every instance to where they represent bona fide values of
any one's money. We know you'll agree with usvhen
you see them because
WeBelievein Giving Real LOW Prices When
ever We Advertise Them as Low
YOU WILL NEED THIS MERCHANDISE IN JUST A FEW WEEKS AND YOU
WONT BUY THEM CHEAPER FOR A LONG TIME.
THERE IS NO USE OF WAITING LONGER.
tee us?"
stances which. 1 fear, she will not even
try to understand," he had said to
Irene.
"Oh. Dave Mr. Klden. I mean that
is you don't know how prou you
don't know how much of a man you
made me feel you are." She was
flushed and excited. "Herbaria I
shouldn't talk like this. I'eihaps " (
"It all depends on one thlug," Dave'
Interrupted. j
"What 'is thatt"
"It all tlcpends on whether we are
Miss Hardy and Mr. Klden or whether
we are still Keenie und Dave." !
Her brlKbt eyes had fallen to the ,
floor and he could see the tremor of
her Angers us they rested on the hack
of a chair. She did not answer him
directly. Hut In a moment she spoke.1
"Mother will buy the house from
Mr. Conward." she said. "She Is like
that. And when. we are settled you
will come and see me. wou't you
SUMMER WEIGHT
ATHENA UNION SUITS
Short Sleeve, Ankle Length, Egyptian Flat
Balbriggan, at m
$1.24
' CAN Y'OU BEAT IT?
VALUE DELUXE
LEE UNIONALLS
Standard Make, With Surprising Wearing
Qualities. You have been paying $6
for These for Two Years.
$4.50
From Marshall Field's
NEW
SUMMER HOSE
Lighter Weight, perhaps a
bit more dressy, but a
cracking good value
when priced at
2 for 35
We Still Have Some
ALL
LEATHER BELTS
A good, strong belt that will
give you a world of
wear at a mighty
small cost
48
They Are Taking Lots of
BLUE
HANDKERCHIEFS
From Our selection, but we
still have some left.
Plenty of Ked ones, too,
Get yours soon
14
Sale Ends Saturday, April 2
DON'T PUT OFF COMING TOO LONG.
E. G. LAIN
"MODERN CLOTHES FOR MEN"
308 Box Butte
Alliance, Neb.