who had gone before. He was of quite a
different sort.

But the most adroit questioning had failed to extract the slightest hint
as to his intentions. In any event, they would soon be out of their
suspense, and they waited with an impatience not too well concealed for
Gov'nor Sudds to finish his labored speech.

Toomey was called upon next but he begged to be excused, intimating that
he was a man of deeds, not words.

Mr. Butefish then recounted the natural resources of the country with a
glibness that carried the suggestion that he could do the same in his
sleep, and Mr. Scales arose to affirm his confidence in the day when
Prouty would be heralded as "the Denver of the State."

Noting the growing signs of restlessness, the Gov'nor ignored the
expectant looks of other prominent citizens and called upon Mr.
Prentiss, admitting, as though he were conceding a disputed fact, that
the decision they were anticipating was a matter of interest--even of
considerable concern--to the town.

So general was the appreciation of what Prentiss's speech meant that the
cook came out of the kitchen and the waitresses hovered within hearing
as Prentiss crumpled his napkin and slowly got up.

He looked thoroughly the man of affairs and of the world in his
faultless dinner clothes, while the air of power which emanated from him
seemed to be something concrete--definite. In the pleasant voice and
well-chosen words of one accustomed to thinking on his feet, he thanked
the Boosters Club graciously for their hospitality and courtesies
extended during his short stay in the town. Then, without further
preliminaries, he went direct to the subject which was uppermost in
every mind.

The project had merit, he was convinced of that. It would take
considerable capital to enlarge the ditch and to put it in perfect
condition, but the returns would warrant the outlay in time. The
numerous failures had complicated the affairs of the company somewhat,
but patience and the desire to be just would straighten these
entanglements out.

The loosening of the tension as he talked evidenced itself in audible
breaths and growing smiles upon every face. The encouraging words acted
as the stimulant of a hypodermic in sluggish veins, eyes brightening and
cheeks flushing at the mental pictures conjured up by the prospect of
getting their money back.

"It is a proposition," Prentiss went on in his agreeable voice, "which I
should feel justified either in tak