Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/363

 cast himself headlong upon the newcomer's prosperous bosom, for a conventional handshake seemed inadequate to express the rapture that sent him to Prentiss's side in a rush.

" Mr. Prentiss, as I live! Why didn't you let me know?" It did not for a moment occur to Toomey that Prentiss was in Prouty for any other purpose than to see him.

Roused from a slight reverie, Prentiss turned and responded vaguely :

" Why, how are you Mr. — er — "

" Toomey," supplied that person, taken somewhat aback.

" Ah, to be sure ! " with instant cordiality. " And your wife?"

" She will be delighted to learn you are here. I wish you had come direct to us."

The reply that he was going to his daughter's ranch was on his tongue's end, but something checked it — the recollection perhaps of the singular change which had come over Kate's face at the mention of the Toomeys' name; instead, he expressed his appreciation of the proffered hospitality and courteously refused.

Glad of the diversion while he was obliged to wait, Prentiss sat down in one of the chairs Toomey drew out and listened with more or less attention while he launched forth upon the subject of the project which would bring manifold returns upon the original investment if it was handled right — the inference being that he was the man to see to that.

It was the psychological moment to buy up the outstanding stock. The finances of the town and its citizens were at the lowest ebb — on the verge of collapse, in fact, if something did not turn up. Furthermore - he