I 1 vl1 'T^v^' r» -?-$*» r^H ^vr^ 1 T+-\ INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS PAGE THRE1 heard me the criticlsm that's been pose, 1? I were one of your group?" flying around town about this syndicate "Why, of course—if you had been." of mine? Haven't you heard that 77ieMAN II "You wouldn't advise me to into there's some question whether it's it. .vou say, under present conditions?" quite sound?" "No. sir, I wouldn't. I wouldn't "I've heard it—yes." The Doctor permit it.". NOBODY was amazingly indifferent. "I thought you wouldn't." The Doctor "Well—do you still think this is any sipped a glass of water thoughtfully. time to discuss the possibility of your "And that leaves me with seventy-five KNEW coming In with us?" hundred dollars I still don't The Doctor's voice was strong, encouraging. know what to do with. Well, if '°u can think of any reasonable use for it "I think it's the best time, and the within the next few weeks, let me Hay Feed By only time—for me, that is. I've lived know, will you? I'll keep It intact until and too long to be affected by chance rumors. I hear from you." And besides, I've got the money Something in his tone snatched at now." Holworthy Hall Hilliard's heart he went white as "But are you sure you know what paper. It's all about? The criticism, I mean." "Doctor Durant!" "I don't know anything about it at The Doctor smiled slightly. "Any Copyright by DoM, MM Company, ln& all. That's exactly why I'm coming to These prices do the talking for us reasonable use, I said. Any form of investment you for advice. You certainly ought that—" to know more about it than any one Hilliard was practically tongue-tied. BRAN (A Off else does. And, therefore, I'd take "Doctor Durant .. if I SYNOPSIS. your word for it before I'd take the Per Hundred fr if I see what you mean I rumor. I want to know if you'll accept if you're willing to take my advice, MIDDLINGS AND SHORTS (A f|j- CHAPTER I.—In a base hospital at me as one of the members of your why—" Neullly, France, his face disfigured beyond Per Hundred ^dovV syndicate." "I'm sixty-three years old," said the recognition, an American soldier CRACKED CORN AA AA Hilliard gasped and pushed himself serving in the French army attracts attention Doctor calmly, "and I've made a fool by his deep despondency. Asked back from the table. of myself in every conceivable way but Per Hundred by the surgeons for a photograph to guide "Doctor!" one. That's in my own field 0Q AA CORN them in making over his face, he offers "In a way," said Dr. Durant genially, I'm a diagnostician. I've watched you In derision a picture of the Savior, bldt^dlng Per Hundred "I'm putting you at a great disadvantage—I them take that as a model. They do a re an I GROUND OATS know that. But, as I said, I'm so, making a remarkable likeness. A AA think perhaps you need as much advice not a business man. I have to be as I do, of a different variety. Per Hundred 9^'VV CHAPTER II.—Invalided home, on the guided more or less by instinct. Your So here it is—when you—want encouragement. boat he meets Martin Harmon, New York business is to know all about these broker, who is attracted by his remarkable or a medical prescription, or Bushel $1.15 features. The ex-soldier gives his things. So I'm coming to you for your a good cigar and a chat, or a quiet evening name as "Henry Hilliard," and his home honest opinion, and I know you'll give with an old man and a girl who as Syracuse, New York. He left there It to me ... do you think I'm quite plays the piano rather pleasantly, or under a cloud, and Is embittered against Txon $26.00 eligible?" his former fellow townsmen. Harmon seventy-five hundred dollars which makes him a proposition to sell mining Hilliard's heart was in his mouth. you've already shown you won't let stocks in Syracuse, concealing his Identity. "Why," he stammered, "at this particular Falls Lumber & Coal Company me invest unwisely, come and see me. He accepts it, seeing in it a chance time—I can't advise you—" Now. let's drop business. Not another to make good and prove he has been underestimated. "Now, don't be too cautious," warned word I'm tired of it. You're through PHONE 81 the Doctor. "I'm not asking you if as an expert let's get back to oldfashioned CHAPTER III.—In Syracuse "Hilliard" friendship. Speaking of in reality Richard Morgan) is accepted as a stranger. He visits James Cullen, a coming to see me—Carol's wondering former employer, relating a story of the if you're trying to slight her. We've death of Richard Morgan, and is surprised seen very little of you lately? It's a at the regret shown by Cullen and his youthful daughter Angela. While at iMfr week now, isn't it?" the Cullen home Carol Durant, Morgan's former fiancee, makes a call. When, sustained and soothed by that CHAPTER IV.—Hilliard repeats to Carol peaceful hour, by the Doctor's trust his story of Morgan's death and is deeply in his integrity, and by the sedative of moved by the evidence of her deep feeling a long and untroubled stroll out over for the supposed dead man. He resolves, however, to continue the deception. the hills to eastward, Hilliard returned to the hotel, the room clerk greeted him with faint superciliousness. CHAPTER V.—Next day Hilliard gathers from Angela that Carol had always "Somebody's been keeping after you loved Dick Morgan, and while delivering on the telephone all morning," he said to her a letter supposedly from her former loftily. "New York call. Couldn't locate fiancee realizes that his affection Is you. And here's some telegrams unchanged. His welcome by Doctor Durant, Carol's father, also shakes his resolution for yon. ." to continue the deception, but he Tlierf ere three of them at sight conquers It. of th" s^njiture of the first. Hilliard's CHAPTER VI.—In Syracuse Hilliard Is eyes narrowed. looked upon as a capitalist and mining "Arrvin: Syracuse 4:15. Please meet expert, and in that capacity, In pursuance me sit train and stop all work in the of his object, interests Cullen in the possibility of wealth in mining properties. meantime. Imperative. The Cullens and Hilliard go to the Durant "HARMON." home for dinner. Hilliard's eyelids fluttered this was CHAPTER VII.—Observations at the evidently the initial result of Rufus Durants' convince Hilliard that the doctor Waring's efforts, and of those many and his daughter had always been his letters he had written Harmon. He true friends, and his love for Carol becomes stronger. He realizes he has a dangerous tore open the second envelope rival in Jack Armstrong, also very the message was again from the broker, much in love with Carol, and the two men sent obviously from the Grand Central tacitly agree to fight it out fairly. "You're Retiring Under Fire Are terminal just before train-time. CHAPTER VIII.—Despite his success In You?" "Most important news received. Am Interesting capitalists of Syracuse in his just leaving, having wired you meet mining venture (which he believes to be a this is the best investment the world sound proposition) Hilliard regrets having me at station 4:15. Find out who Bob has ever seen—I'm asking if it's reasonably placed himself In such a false position, Waring is and what he wants. Do safe, as such things go, with a but in justice to Harmon feels he must go all you can to stave off further inquiry. chance of something really good if your on. He makes confession to Carol of his Absolutely Imperative not talk love for her, and she admits the possibility best expectations work out as you of his affection being returned in to anyone until I see you. Have contract hope." SWiSMB* time. and all other data with you. Hilliard's throat was dusty, and his Shall have to leave on short notice.. CHAPTER IX.—Rufus Waring, youthful reply came with some difficulty. suitor of Angela Cullen, jealous of "HARMON." "In spite of everything, you'd Hilliard, becomes angrily watchful of the And the third was from Albany: you'd take my word for it, Doctor?" latter's business. Harmon visits Syratcuse, and a prominent business man of "Locate Bob Waring if possible and J- the city, seeing them together, warns "Yes, I would, and I've got Cullen arrange meeting seven tonight. Urgently Hilliard of Harmon's reputation. Disturbed, and my own daughter to agree with Imperative. "HARMON." ,p Hilliard asks Harmon for an explanation, me. Certainly I'll take your word fer and the broker unguardedly Hilliard folded the three sheets a admits former swindle, and also that methodically and put them In his the mining proposition is a "fake." Hilliard it. Would you let me invest say pocket. He glanced at his watch it threatens to make the knowledge seventy-five hundred dollars?" public, but Harmon shows him he has showed a quarter to four. He had no Hilliard gulped. made himself an accessory. Hilliard sees dependence on Harmon, and no fear of nothing to do but go on with the deals. "Not now—no, sir." him he felt no obligation to Harmon, "Suppose I'd asked you a week ago CHAPTER X.—In an interview with no sense of duty. To be sure, he had —before this miserable story began to Carol, deeply touched by her friendliness a cynic's curiosity to see what was in and interest in him, Hilliard almost determines go the rounds?" the middle of the whirlwind, but that to admit his duplicity, plead for "I'd have taken it then—perhaps." of Itself wasn't strong enough to send forgiveness, and make a fresh start, but The Doctor's eyes snapped. cannot nerve himself to the confession. him to a rendezvous with a man he GRAND "You're retiring under fire are despised and loathed. old "Bull" Durham. He belongs in this CHAPTER XI.—Armstrong, moved by a you?" chivalrous feeling, admits to Hilliard that "If I go," he said to himself, "I'll be country's Hall of Fame. Can you think of a more "No, sir—digging in." he is going to Montana to investigate sorry and if I don't go why, "Simply because of a fatherless report?" properties which Hilliard represents, and familiar figure For over half a century Bull has If I don't go, I'll always wonder if it the latter sees the end approaching. Har. would have done any good!" mon, to whom he has turned over the been part of the landscape the tobacco he represents "No, its parents are pretty lively. money he has collected, has paid him For himself, there was nothing promising And the the recent developments handsome commissions on the business has made millions and millions of friends. in the situation. But on the done, and he determines to turn over to haven't been what we expected. millionth chance that something of the subscribers all he possesses, In that It isn't on account of the rumors that You can roll fifty-thrifty cigarettes from one bag. way undoing to some extent the wrong benefit to his subscribers might come I can't let you In, Doctor—it's on account he had unwittingly done. out of it—on the millionth chance that of the facts." Harmon might be frightened or persuaded CHAPTER XII.—At the Cullen home The Doctor remained silent until the E N I N E into compromise— Rufus Waring confronts- Hilliard with the waiter had served them, and departed. So he went. accusation that the Montana property Then he looked keenly across the BULL DURHAM has little value. Cullen refuses to believe table. the story. Hilliard gives Cullen $8,000, all The very first passenger to reach he has, to hold in trust, pending an investigation. "Cullen isn't going to lose his the platform was Harmon Indeed, he Frora Angela, Hilliard learns money, is he?" that Carol has refused, Armstrong's offer had been fretting in the vestibule for "Not all of it, anyway." of marriage, for the reason that she Is in half an hour, intent on saving a useless love with Hilliard. "Some of it?" fraction of a second when the "You never can tell." train stopped. At sight of Hilliard, he you think you're justified?" "And are you obligated in any way beamed beneficently—all his earlier "Yes, Doctor. ... can promise I to make good his loss? You, personally, belligerence forgotten. that much, anyway." I mean? Either legally or morally?" "Hello!" he said. "Glad to see you, The Doctor showed his approval. son. Got all my messages, did you?" "Well, tell me perfectly frankly—Is Hilliard sighed dispiritedly. He shook hands with great urbanity yours the sort of proposition you'd let "Why, seeing that not one of these Hilliard's grasp was hardly responsive. a man invest in, if you knew he had men ever saw the property, or knows precious little money to lose? But if anything about it, or about copper "I got three," said Hilliard, dignified you also knew that he were quite willing mining in general, except what I told and noncommittal and he continued to take the same chance as the them, I feel morally responsible for to inspect his employer with ill-con rest?" every cent that's lost, whether I've cealed disfavor and distrust. Hilliard shook his head slowly, and any legal responsibility or not. That "Well, that's all I sent. Now, where continued to shake it as he replied. is, I'd make it good—if I could. Of can we go sit down and talk, for a course, I'm hoping that nothing will be "I can't say that it is, Doctor. On couple of hours? There's a lot to go the contrary—I don't think it's that lost, but—" With ULU*. paper you over, but I want to take the 9:40 West. sort of proposition at all." Dr. Durant's The Doctor's eyes brightened. can roll the best "Bull Not to the Onondaga—I'd rather go brows were contracted. "Do Cullen and his friends understand Durham cigarettes. somewhere quieter. How about the that you hold yourself responsible?" "But in the ordinary run of comrsfmerce, Kirk?" Hilliard—suppose the question "Suits me all right if it does you." of friendship didn't enter into this, "I think not. I haven't said so to \j^ "Any luggage?" They were crossing and I hadn't brought up that subject them yet." —would you, in choosing your list of the tracks to the waiting-room and "It isn't a part of your bargain?" Hilliard, in spite of himself, couldn't subscribers, and selecting the people "No, sir." you'd like to have share the plan with refrain from the solicitude which any "They're paying you a brilliant compliment, you, put a man like myself on any right-minded resident of a city feels then." •different footing than James Cullen? for the transient just arrived. "I realize that fully," said Hilliard, Or wouldn't you?" writhing. The Doctor toyed with his "Only this Gladstone. 1 can check "Doctor Durant," Hilliard's voice fork. was slow, "is Jt possible you haven't ^You^ do the same for me, I sup­ (Continued on page six) iSMj Stf *1 V-* (V •BiMSise