Hard Money Read Online Free

did,” Sharon laughed. “And I’ve been wondering if I was sober when he told me. What have you heard?”
    â€œDo you know him?”
    â€œMet him.”
    â€œHe’s a gambler,” Hugh said. “He owned the Melodian until your father won it from him.”
    â€œSo that was it,” Sharon murmured. “Go on.”
    â€œI’d hate to think your father would place a man like that in such a responsible position without knowing his background. I wonder if he did know it?” Hugh mused.
    â€œIs it awful?”
    Hugh shrugged. “Your father knows how to pick men—or says he does. This time, he’s got a wrong hunch. Seay is a tough. He’s notorious.”
    â€œA—a killer, you mean?”
    Hugh nodded, and at the look of concern in Sharon’s face, he said quickly, “Oh, not a camp bully or a renegade. He’s hit every gold camp in the last ten years. He led the rush up the Frazer. He was at Reese River, and then at Rawhide. He’s built railroads, won and lost fortunes. He hasn’t got a profession.” He paused. “He’s something of a legend among a certain class of people.”
    â€œWhat class?”
    â€œProfessional mining men, cowmen, railroad men.” Hugh grinned. “Men that live by force, I should say.”
    â€œBut the killings.”
    â€œI used the wrong word,” Hugh said casually. “He’s handy with a gun. I don’t think he ever committed an unprovoked murder. Is that better?”
    â€œIt’s bad enough,” Sharon said, as the waiter brought their food. Hugh told her more. It seemed that yesterday Bonal had called on him, had told him of his intention to hire a new superintendent and had asked Hugh to give all the assistance which he, as manager of one of the largest mines in the Tronah field, the Dry Sierras Consolidated, could give to the new man.
    â€œSo he’d been planning on it,” Hugh said lightly and shook his head, puzzled.
    Sharon said nothing. This was as close as Hugh ever got to criticizing her father, but she knew his feelings. Charles Bonal was playing for the hugest stakes of his career, and things were going against him; now was no time to swap horses in midstream.
    Sharon saw the desk clerk making his way across the fast-emptying dining room to them. He paused at their table and handed Sharon a note.
    â€œMr. Bonal left this at the desk this morning, Miss Bonal. He said not to wake you to give it to you.”
    Sharon thanked him and opened the note, read it, and over her face was a look of annoyed amusement. “Speak of the devil,” she said and handed the note to Hugh.
    He read:
    S HARON :
    I forgot to mention the finances. Phil Seay is my agent here now. You’ll have an allowance of two thousand a month. If necessary, go to him for more. Only go easy, honey.
    Love,
    C. B ONAL
    â€œHe wouldn’t sign it Father,” Sharon said, laughing a little. “That’s too sentimental.”
    Hugh made a wry face and laid the note on the table. “Seay’s your banker, too, then.”
    â€œI don’t think you like him, Hugh,” Sharon said teasingly.
    Hugh shrugged. “I don’t like his reputation.” He put down his napkin and tapped the note. “Darling, if you’ll marry me now you can forget things like that.”
    â€œBut I can live nicely on two thousand a month, Hugh!” Sharon protested.
    â€œBut why have to?” He leaned forward. “Don’t you think I’ve waited long enough, Sharon?”
    â€œBe patient, Hugh.”
    â€œBut how can I? There’s no end to this fight of your dad’s. We’ll both be gray when it’s over.” He laughed at her, but his eyes were urgent. “Do you have to wait, Sharon?”
    â€œI promised Dad.”
    â€œGet him to absolve you. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t.”
    Sharon studied the table musingly. “You