Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/424

 that any amount of money would change my feelings for you two?”

“Forgive me, Stan,” blurted Bub. “But it is all so strange that I can’t think straight.”

“Mr. Malcolm will accompany you back to town?” politely inquired Hatton.

“No,” smiled Stanley. “Reddy Malcolm will put in the summer with Bub in prospecting for amethysts and tourmalines and fresh water pearls, and on the side look after things up north for the company. Abner Whitten will be assigned to look after us.”

“As my successor to be,” gravely informed Thaxter, “my nephew’s orders will be accepted by you, Hatton, as if they came from me. You can rest assured that he will not overstep or interfere with your routine duties, or ever ask anything unreasonable. But if he asks for men, or any kind of help you will be pleased to accommodate him, I know.”

“What Mr. Malcolm says will go with me,” suavely returned Hatton.

“I knew it would,” said Thaxter, his lips curling in a slight smile.

“How about Laura?” asked Bub.

“We’ve talked of her and her father,” said Stanley. “My uncle will arrange for