Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE WAY OF wandering, in apparent aimbcssmess, about Ransome, and just before noon he entered the bank and asked for Fancher. The lat- ter appeared, smiling. . “So you finally talked to Strong in the only language he understands, eh?” said Fancher. ‘Strong has been needing that sort of thing!” “Dm rather sorry it bai to happen, Mr. Fancher,” said Cameron. “It wouldn't have happened if Strong hadn’t made it necessary.”” He looked straight at the bank- er. “TY want to buy the building adjoining this, on the east. The two-story brick.” * Well, Fancher. and smiled faintly. “You mean the Judd Building? I’m sorry; you’re a little too late, I am afraid. A man named Jordan fook a thirty day option on that property about two weeks ago. I don’t mind saying that he got a low figure on it, too.” “Yes; I know the figure. Ten thousand. We've bought his option. We'll put the deal through right away, if you please.” Fancher’s eyes lighted with comprehen- sion. He smiled broadly. ‘“ isee,” he said. “ Certainly. away. You work fast, don’t you? If the question is not impertinent, would you mind telling me what you intend to use the build- ing for? There are, you know, certain re- strictions which might possibly interfere.” “There is nothing to be gained by se- will help the project along. The Judd Building will become the plant of the Ran- some Telephone Company.” “By George!” exclaimed Fancher. He was amazed, delighted. “ An extension afro Dry Bottom?” he inquired. — “ Exactly.” _. “ When is this going to happen?” “Dry Bottom is twenty miles distant,’ said Cameron. ‘The linemen have been working this way for the past month, Ac- cording to my schedule they ought to be here by the eighteenth. This is the four- teenth. They will be here, for when I came over on the train I noticed they were only about two miles out.” 3 “Well, by thunder! Ive heard about ahem!” hesitatingly exclaimed He looked sharply at Cameron We'll take care of it right~ with the horse. THE BUFFALO. 92D them sticking in new poles! But I was under the impression that the railroad com- pany was doing the work!” His eyes were glowing with admiration as he now looked at Cameron. “Yes,” he added; “you certainly do work fast! And it’s all settled, ehr The grant—the franchise—and everything?” Cameron. nodded. ‘‘ Service by the first of the month,” he quietly announced. “When Jordan was here to take the option he did some measuring and estimating. Jordan is one of our engineers. He'll be here within a week to install the switch-_ ‘board and the other stuff.” ~ “*We,’ I presume,” said Fancher, “ Cameron Company, of Denver.” Cameron nodded. is the “ Yow'll sell stock here, I suppose—to the = _—er-—natives?” “A limited amount, necessarily.” ““H-m! Well, don’t slight us.” After Cameron left the bank he walked toward the hotel. He had almost reached the veranda when he saw the station agent waving a hand at him. He went down the slope to the station and the agent pointed to.a box car which stood on a siding. _“ A horse in there,” he said; “ consigned to you. Huh!” he added when he saw Cameron’s eyes light up. “ You knowed it was comin’, eh?” _ Half an hour later Cameron led the horse out of the car. The animal was playfully - nudging him. crecy, Mr. Fancher—especially as publicity - -“H-m!” remarked the station agent. “The horse seems to understand him, but I'll be damned if Ido. If I had his coin I’d be doin’ a hop, skip an’ a jump over the high spots! No buryin’ myself in a hell- hole like this! He looks —s sort of! 33 A saddle and bridle and a groom came The groom took the eve- ning train back the way he had come, and appeared relieved that he had not been asked to stay. But the saddle and bridle Cameron slipped on the horse. He rode the animal to the livery stable. gaa turned him into @ box stall. SS ae = The horse was a big black, superbly mus- cled, with fire and spirit in his flaring nos- trils and restless eyes. A patch of white on Comichoo Sj > com