dly.

"Yes," replied the clerk.

"I have some descriptions I wish to buy in."

"Very well," replied the clerk, "what township?"

Thorpe detailed the figures, which he knew by heart, the clerk took from
a cabinet the three books containing them, and spread them out on the
counter. At this moment the bland voice of Mr. Morrison made itself
heard at Thorpe's elbow.

"Good morning, Mr. Smithers," it said with the deliberation of the
consciously great man. "I have a few descriptions I would like to buy in
the northern peninsula."

"Good morning, Mr. Morrison. Archie there will attend to you. Archie,
see what Mr. Morrison wishes."

The lumberman and the other clerk consulted in a low voice, after which
the official turned to fumble among the records. Not finding what he
wanted, he approached Smithers. A whispered consultation ensued between
these two. Then Smithers called:

"Take a seat, Mr. Morrison. This gentleman is looking over these
townships, and will have finished in a few minutes."

Morrison's eye suddenly became uneasy.

"I am somewhat busy this morning," he objected with a shade of command
in his voice.

"If this gentleman--?" suggested the clerk delicately.

"I am sorry," put in Thorpe with brevity, "my time, too, is valuable."

Morrison looked at him sharply.

"My deal is a big one," he snapped. "I can probably arrange with this
gentleman to let him have his farm."

"I claim precedence," replied Thorpe calmly.

"Well," said Morrison swift as light, "I'll tell you, Smithers. I'll
leave my list of descriptions and a check with you. Give me a receipt,
and mark my lands off after you've finished with this gentleman."

Now Government and State lands are the property of the man who pays
for them. Although the clerk's receipt might not give Morrison a valid
claim; nevertheless it would afford basis for a lawsuit. Thorpe saw the
trap, and interposed.

"Hold on," he interrupted, "I claim precedence. You can give no receipt
for any land in these townships until after my business is transacted. I
have reason to believe that this gentleman and myself are both after the
same descriptions."

"What!" shouted Morrison, assuming surprise.

"You will have to await your turn, Mr. Morrison," said the clerk,
virtuous before so many witnesses.

The business man was in a white rage of excitement.

"I insist on my application being filed at once!" he cried waving his
check. "I have the money right here to pay