THREH tion. "Release us?" Cullen all but yelled 1 It, and with a note of exultation which And as Hilllrrd sat there, smiling The MAN was electrical to Hilllard. out into the silent room, and struggling to visualize the extent of fortune "Release you get a notary He sat down limply. "My which had so abruptly smitten him, there was a dry murmur from the bed check-book, Hilliard—for God's sake, NOBODY where Harmon lay, and a resulting silence get me my check-book!" All so pregnant with meaning that at once he seemed to collapse his head hung low, and his breathing became tlie smile faded, and Hilliard was on KNEW stertorous. His cheeks puffed his feet, open-eyerl with the present queerly. horror brought back to him. The physician was rising slowly from Hilliard sprang to him. "Rufus! cramped knees. Call the office! Get the house dector!" Hay Feed By "It's all over." he said paused, and 4 and added: "Apoplexy." Cullen had raced to the bathroom The only man in all America who for a glass of water he raced back Holworthy Hall could have testified to Hilliard's simulation 1|» again, spilling half of it. Hilllard was 1 had ceased to breathe. chafing the broker's wrists. The three men strained at the unwieldy, unresisting CHAPTER XIV. Copyright fey DMM, M«M ft Company. Ino. 4» bulk, while leaden fear clutched at 4 These prices do the talking for us their hearts. As Dr. Durant, having already given The house physician bustled in to counsel this morning to seven patients, find the broker lying on the bed in a BRAN AA Qm1 appeared at the door of the ante-room SYNOPSIS. profound coma his reflexes had gone Per Hundred to signal to the eight, he was palpably from him he couldn't be roused. There astonished at the presence of MIDDLINGS AND SHORTS ISO AC was no need of a stethoscope. CHAPTER I.—In a base hospital at the young man who sat next to the Neuilly, Prance, his face disfigured beyond Per Hundred "Order an Ice bag," said the man of door. The Doctor was very human recognition, an American soldier medicine sharply. He himself was rattling CRACKED CORN AA AA serving in the French army attracts attention the Doctor was very adaptable but for among his vials for the calomel. by his deep despondency. Asked Per Hundred thirty years he had managed to keep Rufus was at the telephone. by the surgeons for a photograph to guide the social and professional phases of Th-. $3.90 In making over his face, he offers "Anything I can do?" asked Hilllard his life entirely apart, and at the very derision a picture of the Savior, bidding earnestly. His suspicions had crystalized them take that aa a model. They do first glance he was aware that Hilliard and he was bitterly aware «o, making a remarkable likeness. GROUND OATS A AA hadn't come to consult with him that the broker had planned not justice, professionally. Nevertheless, he raised Per Hundred $ CHAPTER II.—Invalided home, on the but some new brand of perfidy his finger in the usual sign Hilliard boat he meets Martin Harmon, New York nevertheless, the man was unquestionably OATS 4 broker, who is attracted by his remarkAble followed him to the inner room. in danger—and revenge could Per Bushel $ features. The ex-soldier gives his It was Hilliard's introduction to the wait. $26.00 name as "Henry Hilllard," and his home Doctor's morning manner and even as Syrac 8e, New York. He left there "Nothing—just give me plenty of under a cloud, and Is embittered against in his own exalted spirit, he yielded room." pTr Ton his former fellow townsmen. Harmon slightly to the restraint in the atmosphere. As ttie three stood watching painfully, makes him a proposition to sell mining The Doctor was bland, smiling, Cullen put out his hand to Hilliard, stocks in Syracuse, concealing his identity. Falls Lumber & Coal Company He accepts It, seeing In It a chance approachable, and yet not at all and spoke under his breath. to make good and prove he has been underestimated. the same man as be appeared at the "Henry—when did he come?" house on James street. He seemed detached "Only just now. An hour ago." PHONE 81 CHAPTER III.—In Syracuse "Hilllard" from the hampering littleness "Hadn't he told you? Or hadn't in reality Richard Morgan) is accepted of a household there was no air of intentional you heard?" as a stranger. He visits James Cullen, a repose about him. Hilliard, "Heard what?" former employer, relating a story of the death of Richard Morgan, and !s surprised in spite of the importance of his mission. Cullen motioned to Waring. at the regret shown by Cullen and felt apologetic he fett as though "Give it to him, Rufus Oh, tils youthful daughter Angela. While at I see I see—" the Cullen home Carol Durant, Morgan's former fiancee, makes a call. The law student, without a word, produced a yellow blank and thrust CHAPTER IV.—Hilllard repeats to Carol it at Hilliard. He flashed a glance of his story of Morgan's death and Is deeply indescribable contempt at the supine moved by the evidence of her deep feeling for the supposed dead man. He resolves, broker his eyes had lost some of however, to continue the deception. their anxiety. "Oh. the big crook!" he said boyishly. CHAPTER V.—Next day Hilllard gathers "The big crook!" on keeping a place open for you, on from Angela that Carol had always The Doctor's expression altered Good-by I Good luck—my boy P* "Sh-h-h! Rufus!" Still, Hilliard. at loved Dick Morgan, and while delivering the chance that you hadn't changed slightly his chin sank a little, and he heart, agreed with him to the letter. to her a letter supposedly from her former your mind." sighe^ almost in regret. CHAPTER XV. fiancee realizes that his affection is The boy stood close to the "You're fully satisfied it's the right "That hardly seems fair," he said unchanged. His welcome by Doctor Durant, masquerader. Carol's father, also shakes his resolution thing for me to do?" slowly. "That hardly seems fair." He "I'm sorry, Hilliard ... it came Already at daybreak it was a white to continue the deception, but he "Yes, Doctor, I am." smiled fitfully, and sighed again. "For conquers it. at four this afternoon we'd Christmas white underfoot, white The Doctor held his pen poised in years and years," he said, "ever since been hunting for you ever since ." overhead, dancing, swirling white of CHAPTER VI.—In Syracuse Hilllard is the air. "I'm not sure I'm really entitled I first began to practice, I've been Hilliard wasn't interested. snow in the winter air. Hilliard. lifting looked upon as a capitalist and mining to it. Doesn't it really belong working and waiting and hoping to "I'll wait until—" expert, and in that capacity, in pursuance himself on his elbow to watch it to some one who was on the spot last reach the point where I could give up at his object, interests Cullen in the possibility Cullen signed to him peremptorily. from the car window, was unreservedly night?" office work and do some research. of wealth in mining properties. "Read it, I tell you! It'll give thrilled by the appropriateness of it. The Cullens and Hilllard go to the Durant Hilliard's eyes twinkled. And here, in a few minutes, you dangle you a slant on him!" home for dinner. Nature, which had been sulking for a "You're fond of talking about motives, a two years' income in front of me Hilliard peered over the foot of the week or more, had finally consented to Doctor. You'd have let me —for no services of mine at all CHAPTER VII.—Observations at the bed Harmon was still lying inert. The dress the season. Hut the thrill dissolved. have that money yesterday, wouldn't Durants' convince Hilliard that the doctor for no labor on my part not, as physician nodded sidewise. and his daughter had always been his and anxiety took its place when you?" I'd hoped, the result of service, but—" true friends, and his love for Carol becomes "Nothing for you to do," he said he discovered that it was past eight "Didn't I offer it to you?" own a quarter of the mine myself," "I stronger. He realizes he has a dangerous grimly and Hilliard, only partly aware o'clock, and this was only Buffalo! "Yes, sir you did. But was it because rival In Jack Armstrong, also very said Hilliard, with equal gravity. of what he was doing, gave heed to His watch, and the railway folder, gave you thought you'd make a big much in love with Carol, and the two men "And I'm not thinking how I got the yellow blank. tacitly agree to fight it out fairly. him indigestible food for 1 bought, and profit, or was it Just to help me?" it, Doctor I'm thinking how much The fourth telegram of the day was the snow, taking upon itself the role of good I can do with it can't you CHAPTER VIII.—Despite his success In from Butte, Mont., addressed to Waring. a barrier to trafiic. was suddenly less Interesting capitalists of Syracuse in his "Why—" look at it that way, too?" mining venture (which he believes to be a agreeable to look at. Wreaths in the "You see," said Hilliard cheerily, The Doctor nodded presently. sound proposition) Hilliard regrets having "Arrived here last night after delay windows of nearby houses, holly berries There Was a Dry Murmur From the "If you're going to have these mercenary suppose that has to be the answer. placed himself in such a false position, "I in Chicago. This morning's papers contain and red ribbon, glimpses of feathery Bed. but in justice to Harmon feels he must go motives, you've got to let me Well—" information as follows: The fir boughs and tinsel through the on. He makes confession to Carol of his have some, too. I've let friendship "I'll tell Embree you didn't accept." love for her, and she admits the possibility faulted vein on XLNC property adjoining curtains—all these awoke within him interfere with business twice in two he were unwittingly robbing science Hilliard reached for his hat. "And I of his affection being returned in Silverbow claim number one a new and a disturbing fancy that at days. And you're not the only one I time. mustn't bother you any more this of its most valuable asset, which is has been located about twenty feet the end of two thousand miles of held a place open for—Rufus and morning we've both too much to do. time. CHAPTER IX.—Rufus Waring, youthful from Silverbow boundary. Indications visioning he might be irretrievably Jack are in it, too. It was my privilege I only wanted to see you a moment suitor of Angela Cullen, jealous of "I know this isn't exactly the proper are ore body running at least eighty late! Illogically he made haste to rise to make that condition—and I did." Hilliard, becomes angrily watchful of the thing to do," he said, "but I'm leaving and tell you the news and get your per cent average and some places high he wanted to flavor his Impatience by tter's business. Harmon visits Syracuse, The Doctor scribbled rapidly. town in an hour or so ... I thought check. But when Cullen and I come as twenty. Also some zinc and silver and a prominent business man of counting landmarks. you might spare me five minutes, Doctor. "Then I'll keep my promise But back—" His smile was glorious. the city, seeing them together, warns and traces of manganese. This evidently The diner was half filled when he Hilllard of Harmon's reputation. Disturbed, would you mind telling me what it is They were shaking hands at the even if it is a little Irregular. Can extends well Into Silverbow, arrived for breakfast, and the train Hilliard asks Harmon for an explanation, I'm buying?" you?" door of the ante-room. where the greatest values are undoubtedly and the broker unguardedly was still standing in the yards. As "What seems to be the trouble?" "That'll be before the holidays, "Here's your receipt, Doctor." Hilllard lying, and judging from records admits a former swindle, and also that the conductor wished him a perfunctory won't it? We expect you to take The Doctor's tone was a mild invitation laid a slip of paper on the desk the mining proposition is a "fake." Hilliard of old XLNC vein it's a tremendously Merry Christmas, Hilliard smiled threatens to make the knowledge to squander nothing on preliminaries. Christmas dinner with us, of course. big strike.' Understand XLNC owners took up the check, and scrutinized it obliquely. public, but Harmon shows him he has carefully. "What you've bought," he offering large sum, said to be well made himself an accessory. Hilllard sees "Not unless you make up some speed "Mr. Cullen and I are running down said, "is a twentieth interest in a new over half-million, for a controlling interest. nothing to do but go on with the deals. between here and Syracuse," he said. to New York today You've seen syndicate formed last night. We'll assume I strongly advise all of you to "Not much chance of that," said the CHAPTER X.—In an interview with the morning papers, haven't you?" get aboard for as much as Hilliard the stock control in New York, Carol, deeply touched by her friendliness conductor, punching the order slip. "Yes." The Doctor nodded. "And when we get there, by paying some will let go. Am sending this from office and interest in him, Hilllard almost determines "It's deep snow from here on, sir. Cullen telephoned me last night. Was to admit his duplicity, plead for of Cooley, Benjamin & Russell, more cash (and we've got more than Lucky if we're in in time for your forgiveness, and make a fresh start, but who will not send separate report unless Mr. what was his name Harmon? we need already) and after that, we cannot nerve himself to the confession. turkey!" was he a close friend of you want it. This is wonderful may possibly sell out, or we may go Hilliard sighed, brightened as the yours, Hilliard?" news and mine is sure winner, even if ahead and develop the mine ourselves. CHAPTER XI.—Armstrong, moved by a train dragged itself into sluggish motion, chivalrous feeling, admits to Hilliard that only a fraction as large as reported. "No just a business associate I don't know yet which that's what he is going to Montana to investigate and gave his attention to the Please show this message to Hilliard. I didn't know him very well personally—socially, Mr. Cullen and I are going West to decide. properties which Hilliard represents, and lands-'tipe. It was typically a srene Sig. J. J. ARMSTRONG." I should say. But It But you'll be protected anyhow the latter sees the end approaching. Harmon., from a Christmas card all it needed, to whom he has turned over the Hilliard sat down in the nearest changes some of my plans Mr. I'll see to that. And if you're in any at any moment, was a few lines of engravings money he has collected, has paid him Cullen and I have to go to New York hurry to get your money back—" chair. The lump in his throat was handsome commissions on the business in the foreground to be a very for a few days and after that we're choking him the moment was so big "How soon do you think it'll be?" done, and he determines to turn over to fair counterpart of the cards which that his feelings were primitive his going out to Montana together." the subscribers all he possesses, in that Hilliard laughed outright a laugh Hilliard had ordered sent out to all his way undoing to some extent the wrong expression of them were very simple. The Doctor tapped his desk thoughtfully. of utter happiness. "Right now, if you be had unwittingly done. friends. He smiled, expansively, at the He only smiled the meaningless, vacuous say so." conception of what the name of Hilliard an infant. That smile embraced smile of "On account of this?" CHAPTER XII.—At the Cullen home The Doctor puzzled. on those cards now meant to the entire universe it was indicative Rufus Waring confronts Hilliard with the "Partly, and partly not. The whole "You don't make it clear," he said. Syracuse. They were undoubtedly accusation that the Montana property of a happiness so limitless, so perspective's changed we've got to "Then I will. Mr. Embree, down at has little value. Cullen refuses to believe magnifying his grandeur now he knew perfect, that It was almost foolish. So get to work. Now, the last time I saw the Trust and Deposit company, was the story. Hilliard gives Cullen $8,000, all enough of human nature to realize Harmon, knowing from his own sources you why, that was only yesterday!" he has, to hold in trust, pending an investigation. one of the men who wanted to get in that in his home-coming he was certain of the sudden strike, had rushed to From Angela, Hilliard learns He broke off, laughing at himself. with us, and couldn't. He was just to be greeted as a multi-millionaire. that Carol has refused Armstrong's offer Syracuse to pose as a man of honor! "It seems so much longer than too late. But when I told him what I of marriage, for the reason that she is in And it wasn't multi—it was only So Harmon had wanted to meet Waring—and that! Why, you said then that if I was saving out for you, he authorized love with Hilliard. the possibility of a single one! find if Waring had yet heard ever needed any one of several different me to make you an offer. I'm acting The thought of riches turned his men, I "have "the honor to be" president the news, and, if he hadn't, stop the investigation things, including seventy-five as his agent, that is, and I've got ... of the Silverbow Mining by apparent frankness and mind to the individuals who would hundred dollars, to come to you. And a check here, and if you want to endorse ready restitution. So Harmon had share in them Dr. Durant, who, unless corporation He paused his you spoke as though you really meant that receipt over to him, you can he chose, need never keep office hours hands weaved aimlessly. "Of Montana. been eager to destroy the contract, to It, Doctor ... So I've come!" have this." He presented the banker's Gentlemen. ... I promise Hilliard anything and everything, again—he could devote himself to the The Doctor regarded him steadily check the Doctor stared It was payable to repay the money that was research he loved Cullen, whose blind, hear there's been some adverse criticism for a moment, and resumed tapping to himself, signed by Embree, "Surely I Will. Good-By. Good Luck— fit our property you're bulldog faith had made him forever the glass pad on his desk with a meditative and written for fifteen thousand dollars. subscribed already—and then, as sole My Boy!" stockholders, I understand not independent, even Rufus Waring, forefinger. owner, to take an enormous profit for used to criticism He flung his whose modest contribution, acceptod Mrs. Durant and Carol would never "You've reconsidered, have you?" "Why, Hilliard!" he said, blankly. himself. head erect. "I offer you personally out of spleenless commiseration, had "Not that so much—but we'v% had "Is that good business? For Embree? forgive you if you didn't—and neither No one in the whole world—and ... to relieve you ... of any swelled to the dignity of four figures, fresh information. Jack Armstrong's What's behind this?" would I." least of all, Waring and Cullen—could and all obligations and pay and given him the means to show the out there, indirectly representing Mr. Hilliard flushed with pleasure. Hilliard fairly beamed his delight. have remotely fathomed the thoughts back penny for penny." Here his knees world to Angela. And Jlilliard himself "Nothing would please me better Cullen, and we've heard from our own "Well, if you want my advice, don't shook and he swayed appreciably. He had made far more than all the other lawyers besides. So on the whole, I'm and you'll tell Mrs. Durant and take it! I told him I'd have to explain was holding himself upright only by that were eddying In Hilliard's brain. venturers combined—rot in money, Carol how grateful I am and how willing to let you in If you're willing it to you, and he agreed." He sat tremendous, visible effort. They were not for his own aggrandizement perhaps, but in dividends payable in to come, in spite of what I said at straighter, pridefully. "Jack Armstrong they were for the Cullen® "The man's sick!" Cullen stepped the medium of his self-respect. sorry I am I can't even stop now to lunch yesterday. sent another wire this morning oward him. Waring and Hilliard and Durants and for the others who And yet, as the realities stood, now, say good-by, won't you?" As a matter The Doctor hesitated. —and the XLNC crowd, who own the need never know the acid of disillusionment. ere standing fascinated. The broker he was sensitive to the nothingness of of fact, he wasn't going to stop because "Not that I doubt you at all," he property next to ours, know that I've They were for the ideals warded off Cullen with both hands. his triumph, until such time as he had he knew that if he did he might said, "but when Cullen telephoned me had this contract for all the Silverbow he had struggled toward they were "No, I'm not sick! Contract some one to divide it with him. For never get to Montana. And there was last night, he said that you and stock, and they've made us a flat for the friends who had stood by him. calls for delivery of ninety-nine per there is little pleasure in a monopoly need of quick action against Harmon's he had raised all the money you needed proposition of'—he caught his breath And there was one very especial and cent of capital stock ... on payment of happiness not even a joke Is fully cut-throat partners in New York. in half an hour after you went —"four hundred thousand dollars of a hundred and twenty thousand very manly thought for Jack Armstrong, established until some one appears to "Surely I will. And I'll also tell them out to look for It. You see, I have for the contract! And your twentieth dollars before December who had been so courageous In share it a secret Is delectable only what an altruist you are. I still don't some channels of information myself! share would be worth twenty thousand his defeat, and so neutral in his behavior first. You've paid sixty-two when it's repeated, a conquest is feel exactly right about it—jbut the So I can't help wondering why you dollars if we took it! But we're not Tm here case of dis­ afterward, and who now had empty without the popular acclaim, or world's the world. And I'm not need this now." Nevertheless, he was going to—because it's worth still more, sent the generous news winging eastward, satisfaction ... to write check9 going to refuse an Investment Just because bunting for his check-book. and we know It. Lots more—twice as for the full amount paid down to date with the request that Hilliard there happens to be money In It! much—so—" (Continued on page six) "We don't need It—I simply Insisted I .release you should learn at once of his vindica­