“I presume you’ve met his daughter, Miss Louise?” As he made this remark he looked out of the corners of his restless eyes in a manner that was intended to be cunning. [82] Vance was full of resentment, and dared not trust himself to make and immediate reply. Presently Boast continued: “They are old friends, of mine; a most respectable family. I used to live in Gold Bluff; may live here again. One can’t say what may happen, you know.” 0090 “I thought,” said Vance, “you were in love with Waterville.” “One’s in love where one’s possessions are, don’t you see?” Vance did not reply to the question, but busied himself with his fishing tackle. Presently Boast took a bottle from his pocket, and said: “Will you have a drink of red liquor Vance replied in the negative. “Well, I suppose,” said Boast, “I ought not to drink so much. The truth is, I am a pretty devilish hard citizen. I am drinking entirely too much of the stuff, but no one takes interest enough in me to tell me so; yet I know I’m going to the bad. The habit is formed and what is a fellow going to do about it?” He waited [83] some time for a reply, but as Vance made none, he proceeded to pour out a small portion of the contents of the bottle into a glass, and then added some water to it and stood looking out of the window. “Won’t you be seated?” asked Vance. “Thank you, I believe I will,” replied Boast, and sat down with the glass of liquor in his hand, and said nothing for several minutes. He acted as if he dreaded the ordeal of swallowing the portion, but felt it would not do to set it aside after all he had said in regard to being a hard drinker. Finally he gulped it down at a single swallow, and then drank a great quantity of water immediately afterward. He strangled considerably and his eyes became very red, and evidently was glad the trial was over. Presently he said: “Mr. Gilder, there are things going to happen down at Waterville in the next ninety days that will surprise everyone. Some very large manufacturing enterprises wall soon be located there.” “That certainly is very welcome news,” replied Vance, “as a property owner in the new city, I am naturally interested in its development.” [84] “Property has gone up ten per cent since you were there.” “Is that so?” said Vance, looking up in some surprise. “Of course,” Boast continued, “I am selling my special bargain list at the same old prices, but the Company and other real estate agents who have desk room here and there over the town, are trying very hard to inflate prices. I am holding them level, however, and intend to keep on doing so. I don’t propose having Waterville killed by a lot of town boomers, who are trying to get prices away above intrinsic values.” “It is very fortunate,” replied Vance, “that Waterville has such a conservative citizen as yourself.” “It’s very complimentary for you to say so, I am sure,” replied Boast. “Of course. Mr. Gilder, I would not say anything detrimental about anyone.”