This  is  a  business  agreement  If  I  give  you  a  thou-
sand, will  you  leave  town?    That's  my  offer."

Vixley  reflected.  "That  ain't  so  much.  I  dunno  as
I  could  afford  to  spoil  my  whole  business  for  that'*

"Pshaw.    You  don't  make  that  in  a  year!"

"Not  last  year,  perhaps,  but  I  expect  to  this."

"Then  you  refuse  ?'*

"Wait  a  minute.    Have  you  got  the  money  on  hand  ?"

"No,  I  haven't"  Granthope's  face  clouded.  "But
I  have  an  idea  I  might  raise  it  I  could  pay  you  in
instalments.  But  you'd  have  to  be  outside  of  Califor-
nia to  get  it.  That's  understood.'*
i  Vixley  rose.  "Well,  when  you've  got  the  money
you  can  begin  to  talk.  If  you  can  raise  it,  as  you
say,  I  may  agree.  After  all,  I  could  use  a  thou'  just  at
present,  and  I  s'pose  I  could  operate  in  Chicago  till
you  let  me  come  back.    Say  I  accept."  <

"All  right  As  soon  as  I  can  raise  five  hundred,
I'll  see  you,  and  buy  your  ticket  Until  then,  I  expect
you  to  leave  Payson  alone."

"Will  you  leave  him  alone?    That's  the  question!
I  don't  propose  to  have  no  interference  utvlW  "jou  tmJ«&
good  with  the  money/'


320  THE   HEART   LINE

"FH  make  good,  all  right,"  said  Granthope.
