Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1910 — THE FORTUNE HUNTER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE FORTUNE HUNTER

' Novelized by Louis Joseph Vance From the Play of the Same NameJjy WINCHELL SMITH

Copyngls . i"ij, byWincheii Smith aria Lcui; Joseph Vance CHAPTER IT. I T had been a forlorn hope at best, this attempt of his to escape Kellogg— Duncan acknowledged it - when, ids packing rudely finished, he started fpr the door. Robbias reluctantly ,-uutvi dering the suit case after exhausting his rop.-rtory of 'devices to delay ti e young man. But at that instant the ehxator gate clashed in the (Slier >,»ri-M r and Kellogg's key rattJt o in - ’l. *V., v. ?<> an ae t-m----panying eon fit si :i .vot es, all masculine and all v* r Itnhcan sigli-d; end motioned; Robhins away witlj Ids.ink.:age.; •'No hope .now." he iold hi ' But— O Lot 1!“’ Il!< •' : / '* :! - ’ '' ■ ■ lhe room f.iur t.a - lii.i T.' iig, hairy Miller. ; t ' a: l'uncan did not Immediately tv i, and Kellogg hinii self • brio h • - pR: th i an atmosphere breezy v. Before he knew it IHui.n tv: ,Ik. i HToUs'iy on rwbeiioed. lie got his ■ breath to find" Kellogg pumpin. ids hand. •’Nat,” lie was .saying.' ‘•you're the only Other man on earth T was wishing, could be with me tonight! Now my happiness b complete. Gad,'this ' is lueky!”

N “You think so?” count rod Duncan, fore-in? a- smile. ’Sflei’i, you boys!" j lie gave a band to Long and Miller. “Ilow're you. allV" He warmed to I their friendly faces ;*ud unfeigned wel- j come. "My. lotit s good to see your j U’bere was : ;h : in the fa< t Kel- ■ fc.g-.' after .. klm/c giaSffi, forebore ■ to questi n bis return; lie was to be j counted upon for tact, was Kelloggs, Now he strangled surprise by turning to the fourth member of. the party. “Nat." lie said. “I want yoti to meet > MN. Bartlett. Mr. Baill it. Mr. Win- ’ can.” • * A Wholesome smile dawned ou Dun- j can's face as lie encountered the blank blue stare <>f a young man whose very smooth and very bright red face was • admiral.!.' set ■ b; semi-evening drcs«. 'Sr, ■ t Sj, : .he cried, warmly prv-O: . V;: ■!; daisKal hand that j drifted into ids. "Willy Bartlett — j ' after all these year r!” J A Si: D a i ‘i replaced the j vacuous -•.arc of the Ime * ye-. "Dun- i CJU!.;" i}t* sb'Uii! n 1 "i SfiV. t!ii.S is . ripp.-t'.!" “As bah; as tit.it V" Duti'-an essayed j an n>ce:;t alnio-t.i agii !:d nodded his . i:\ti- !1 • f ; •ajcthl*.? . which Bartlett mDscd completely. lie v... • tv y. 'iic * a very efH*.t : deal-younger, Duncan thought, titan | v. !j\n they fefd been ' ; v . ; lime Duncan sh.ir.-.i !r,s rooms with , K-llogg, very utu'-h younger and >of- i ft’.'illg CSqUir-lfely ;i< 111 OVlTSOpi;i.-ti- i cation His tv awl barely escaped be- j In? '-inimitable IDs air did not escape it. “Smitten ,v, no old trouble/' ! Duncan apprai -d I; i—“too much money. Graven l;n - 1 hope he never recover*!" As for Willy, he was momentarily more nearly human than he had seemed from tne moment of his first appearance. “You . know.” he blurted, “this is simpiy eviia r:iiuary. 1 say, you chaps. Dune; ij and 1 haven't met for years, not since be gradual* d. We Jbe’mg t--> the • frat, y'>u '.'know, and had a jolly time of it, if be was an upper hiss man No side about him at ail. v’ know, absolutely node Whatever Whenever i ic'd to go out on a sptee I'd always get Nat to show me round-' , . j'.; : ; “i was pretty g tod at that,” Duncan admit[t . a trlfl * dly. But Willy rattled cn heed less, “lie „ knew re pretty gels, y’ know. 1 say. okL-chnp. il.'you know as m ay uow?” Duncau shook his head. ""The list > has shrunk I’m a ‘changed ly.” “Off, I say. you're e haw fin." Willy argued in redulously. “I don't believe that, y’ knew, hardly. 1 say, you remember the night you showed me how to play faro bank?” ' . “I’ll never forget it.” Duncan told him gravely. “And I remember what - a plug we thought my roommate was because be wouldn't come with u.%. He nodded significantly toward ilte amused Kellogg t “Not him!” cried Willy, expostulant. “Not really? Why, it cawn't beP’ “Fact,” Duncan assured him. “He was working his way through college, you see, whereas I was working my way through mi .allowance and then some. ' That’s why \ou uever met him- Willy, be. worked and got the habit. We loafed with the same re suit That's why he’s useful and you’re ornamental and I’m”— He broke off in surprise. “Hello.” he said as Bobbins offered a tray to the three on which were slint stemmed glasses filled w\ltb a veMon efTervescen liquid “Why the bio id waters of es.l

citenieiit. pleaseV” he Inquired. accepting- a glass;From fichoss the room i.arry Miller' voice sounded "Are you ready, gee tlemeu? We’ll drink to him first, and then h? can drink to his royal little ! self. To the hoy who’s getting on in I the world’ To the junior member of J L-] Ba">e”. « •' LOhg applauded ; omjly. “Hear, bear'” j and even M ill* dbutlett ' cbitm'd -in | with ati uncmotio!“-»( “Hood work!” j Mechanically -Duncan downed the j toast Kclloga \v»s the only, man not j drinking it, and from that the meaning was easily to he inferred. With a stride Dtihcar. cane'if' his hand and crushed It in his owu. . , i “Hairy/’ he said a little huskily. “I i can’t tell you how glad 1 am. It’s the i best news D»-- h.-\d in years.” ! Kei lore's repportslve pressure was answer enough “It makes it doubly •wortb whim to win out‘and’hjiv'p von ail so glad.” he said “So yen’ye taken him into the firm eh?” DnUcap inquired of Bartlett Tim hlim eve® widened stonily “The j governor has I’nvißt in the business y’ know Never had the «lightest turn for - it. what?” Willy set aside his glass; “1 s,jy. | must lie moving No I cawn't stop Kell -gg, really I was. dressin' at thy club and Larry.told me about it. s. i 1 inst dropped round to tell you bow' jolly*glad lam” “Your father hadn"< fold von then?” r?“ Willy looked unutterabiy bor. d, "Why. he gave up tryint to talk business; with me long ago. I cau’f get in!eroded in it, 'pon '.my. word Of course'T"' k'neiv he thought the den. e and ail of you, but I hadn’t an idea they were goiu’ to take you into the firm What?” Long and Miller interrupted, proposing adieus which Kctlogg vainly con tended. . " ■ “Why. you're only just here”— lie ! expostulated. I “Cawn't help it. old chap,” Willy as- : sured him earnestly: "1 must go, auyI way I've a dime r engagement.” | "You'll be late, won't you?" j “Doesn’t,matter tn the least. I’m al- • ways date. Night. Kellogg Congratu- ; lations again.” j “We just dropiakb r> nnd to take off ; our hats to you." Long continued, | pumping Kellogg's hand -' !" “A ml tell ,v- i what a we , think you arta ’ added yini-ei. following . • » "You tl-uft know how goOd you make hue feel." Kcliogg told them i TT-dnr cover of this*diversion Dun can was making one last,effort to slip away, btft before he could gather to- , get her hR iiiipedimeufa and get to the ■j dodr Wliliy Bartlett Ipfcrveptetl him i “1 say. Duncan”— | “f’h rats:" said I mn'ean beneath | ids .■breath',' Lie jei tsed ungi'acidusiy enough. "We'v.e gs t to s-e a bit of oar an- ; other; u:>w we’ve mer again, y’ know. Wish you'-,; look me up. Half Moon c-lub 'll get tue most miy time. We’ll have to arrange to make a regular old fashioned night of it. just for memory's sake." : < - Duncan nodded; edging past him "I've memories enough.” he said; “Right-oh! Any reason at all, y' know, just so we have the night/' “Good enough.” assented- Duncan vaguely He suffered his hand t© be wrung with warmth. “I'll not forget Goodnight.” Then be pulled up and groaned, for Willy’s insistence bad frustrated his design Kellogg bad suddenly become alive to his attitude and hailed, him over the heads of Long atid Miller “Nat. I say: Where the devil r<re yon going?" * ♦

"‘f.\ >j - LO'cl." said Dnncam | “The dem-e yon are! What hotel?*' ; “The one I’m -figipiiig at,” i “Not on yti'tr Iff- You're not going j just yet ! bhivui't had half a chance ;to talk t i vilii Robbins. talfe Mr ! DUB'-anV tilings*" t l»i!n an. U; e. n ip. Robbins, wh6 bad becn boyoring round for just that t purj use. lift* d his shoiiTders In fpsig- i nation, tut niltg back into ti e room as Miller and Long srki rood night to | hint and left tit Rhu *?t r s bee la. and : smi! •! awry in srini-buniorous depre ••alien of iln* way in whi-h he let Kel !ogg iffftnn iH'iivcr 1 i:.i When it came to that it •'• < I r , to refuse Kellogg i anything; ; had iliai way with him. (:; ■. i. ;i ope Hk(d,him And how could any on. help-Viking him? Kellogg h i pip: a-ov. holding him fast Ip. “P 'n r 'ho.- '- r. at arm's litand shaking a : proving head at ids friend "Y< •» big dniTer!’' he s; Id • 1 •> y<iii tl ink f»r a minute I’d iet you ityrdw ' . dpwn like that? Have you I'm W ; As , rids :suPgiWb;:,■ i !c:,oa.(: stiffened and fell 1;:: k ."No. bar" • ,Ke b swept tit*?'•Rolled froffit undc: Hi feet b hhin-.V b«, ns'al the c,.:--. • • ", d :•) 1 b '■ w from the (hill and ted 'em to hurry ft up'* ■*Y s sir " said Roldans. attd flew to obey f<* i . <-.••;i<l a chance to <i. ■** - ■i (i ti < part In the order •Ai d "•« .• : i c;; d Kellogg ■•we'vey ’ : !:e v iic!. evening before us in v. lP I* .■■■ <• hiu . Sit d 'vn.” lie led f><: t. ; a:, • :-• mb ai'd gen'tb, btitPfiriiiiy • snhjwd I'm tiro its eapa- ' cions <’ • libs •• \VcTi hw j: stvag lit tie d o i . 0..,c and w. it do you say Pi ; p.- a sb- p : pno wpro?’’ “I : ay ip - . • •*Yioi ; id. ; boy. This is the'night we •. p io-atc I’m feeling pretty good (' r“Yon n?fls» re lirry/V Dnnfro strop, ieo ’i. ctitn-a* liimsetf to slmre in the si bi: W r;' . ; bv. tMi which; Kei *g j . ui fnigluy • 1 giad rii . ; fs • - ? s;ep up for you*' - | ••!;••: • •'( I!, ■; V p miuld have knocked nte vef vrffh'ii feather when Herd arr it i*n n th. morning . Of com*: l mis e: g something, n .!• - pry • if. eg like that, i* ‘.rtiett kin w (hat other houses in U,i‘ str et Imd tnade.i ••' offers. I’ve lie* i. pr •• ■ sticky of kite and puHed ; (>ff on ip or wo rather big deals, but a ! } •:< 11 - nip with f- " 1 BartlettThick of i: pat "' . • : “ I Tm tlii:p in'; of It auu ibs great ” "It’ll k pi: ■ ■ iwlity busy," Kellogg j blundered l.Hi.diy on. “It means a lot ‘ of extra work. I at you know 1 like to ; | r » \vf3rk. “That's n-.id. \<.u do.' agreed Bui) : can drearily “It’s■ queer to me.: -It i must lie 5 t thing to tike to work. | “You .bet it> a great thing. Why. .1 couldn't : i couldn't work. , You I d cl- b 1 time 1 laid off for a mouth iii.th;* ccui: •> f< r i.-’y health’s sake? I’P never Puget it—hanging ' round all the time with my hands ; empty every out else with to do. : v.. )•.!<!n’t go throngb with-it' 1 , I'aigai.iv-for a Fortune Never felt sous* i less and in the v. oy". -

, D r:r«j ltd Dnucatv kpitfiht his !j;-.«\ys as- he grappled with th; probieni. "you were independent. I weren’t you? Yon had money--eouf/ i pay your board?” “Of course Nevertheless I felt in the way ” “That’s funny." “It's straight.” “I know it is. It wouldn't !>e you ir ; you didn't love work It wouldn't h'p | me "If 1 did Look here. Harry Su; [ nose vou didn’t-have any ttMipv and i couldn't pa; you: . . l .ii noth- i ing to do Uv. . you 'reel in that i case?” “1 don't know Anyhow that's rot”— “No. it isn’t rob I'ui trying to make yotl understand how i feel wheji— When ic’s that way w ith Tae, as it generally is.” He raised one hand and let it fall with a. gesture of desp ndeiicy so eloquent that it rou->d Kellogg • out of his own f.reo.: cu pat ion j “Why, Nat!” he- cried - . uiiie!;sympathetic. “I've l.e, n so t;..>eu up with myself that l' forgoL 1 hadn't looked for you till tomorrow " “You knew then?'' “1 met Atwater at lunch t day. fie told me. Said he \vgs sorry, bn?”— "Yes, everybody is always sorry, but Kellogg let his band fall on Duncan's shoulder. "I'm sorry, too. old man. But don't lose heart. I know it's preß , ty tough on a fellow”— “The toughest part of it is that y< u got the job for me, aud i had to fait down” • , “Don't thick of that it’s not vour fault”“You're the only man who believes that, Harry ” "Buck up. I’ll stumble across some better opening for you before long, and”— ' - . ' . , “Stop right there. Pin tbrengh”- | “Don’t talk that-way, Nat. I'll gat you in rictr. somewhere “ “You're the best hearted man alh-e, Harry, but I'll see you blastc-d first” r “Wait;” Kellogg demanded his attention . “flere's this, man Burnham. You don’t know him, but he’s as. keen as they make 'em lie’s ou the track of some wonderful .scheme for making,, illuminating gas from crude oik If it goes through, if tfje inventions really | prrk-ficabie. its bound to work a revolmfoij. lie’s down in Washington now . —left this afternoon to. fe k up t’q? patents . Now. he needs me to get the ear of the Standard Oil people, and I’ll get you in there," “What right ’ve you go to do that?" demanded Duncan. "What the dickens do I know alKJut Illuminating gas or crude oil? Burnham'd never thank you for the likes o’ me.” “But thunder, you can learn All you n ed”— ,

j “Now. see' here. Ttarry!” Duncan gave him p-mse with a manner not to be denied "Once and for alj tftne onderstand I’m throngh having yon i recommend wn ipconipetent just bewere friends ” "Bnt. flarry”“And l‘m tbrougii Tlvliie on you while I’m out of a job. That’s final.” "But. min listen to'me- when we ■ were at collerre’’ - “The* was another matter.” “How many times did yon pay the room rent _when I w«s.strapped? How many fifties did your money pull me through when I d have had to quit and forfeit my d'-gb <- •arise i couldn’t -earn enough to keep on?" ••That’s different You earned enough finally to square tip You don't owe ' me any thing ’* - “I owe you the gratitude for the ; friendly hand that put me in the way ' of earning - that kept me going when the going was rank Besides, the con ditions are just reversed now; you’ll ; do just as 1 did—make good in the world and. when it’s convenient, to me. A> for living here, you're perfectly welcome." : p:pp v **! know it—and more.” Duncan assent'd a little wearily “Don't think I don’t appreciate .ail you've done for me But 1 know and yon must under stand that I can't keep on living on you—and I won't For once be Tied, ip 'b'.gg stared at mm in consternation Dimcaii met his gaze steadiiv strong in the sincerity

of hi? attitude. At length Kellogg suv ; reptiered, accepting defeat. “tYel]”He shrugged atKk>mfprtably “If you insist.” ' . -I do ” / ‘ Tii'a that’s settied.’’ : “Yes. -hat's:settled,” “r inaer." said Robbins from the : doorway, ns vmd " ■ # j (To Be Continue^.)

KELLOGG FORBORE TO QUESTION HIS RETURN

NATHANIEL DUNCAN.