Chapter 20
In the heart of that valley two roads crossed. Many a year
before a man with some imagination and illimitable faith was moved
by the crossing of those roads to build a general merchandise
store.
Time justified his faith, in a small way, and now McGuire's
store was famed for leagues and leagues about, for he dared to take
chances with all manner of novelties, and the curious, when their
pocketbooks were full, went to McGuire's to find inspiration.
Business was dull this night, however; there was not a single
patron at the bar, and the store itself was empty, so he went to
put out the big gasoline lamp which hung from the ceiling in the
center of the room, and was on the ladder, reaching high above his
head, when a singular chill caught him in the center of his plump
