The Delta independent., 1897-04-07

pocket into which Philip had clipped
his hand Mt the beginning of the inter
view. The deductions were evidently
upon the side of prudence, for he shut
the drawer with Q snapand turnedaway
from the desk.
"Going back to the original question
your demand is unreasonable; and II
it were not, there Is not such an
amount as you name in all the banks
in the CITY,"
"Probably not; and, in any event. l
should prefer your draft on New York.
secured by a mortgage on all the prop
erty of the company In Chilmath
county"
"Oh, you would? - Sharpless was los
ing his self-control. perhaps you
think I own the property in fee simple.
You ought to know. II you know any
thing at all. that should have to sub
nit the matter to our New York Of
flcers"
knowing that he had the sword In,
Philip could not refrain from twisting
it little in the wound. From my
point of view, that would seem to be
the last thing you'd care to do. You
could scarcely afford to give the facts
in the case, you know, and I don't see
how anything else would answer. How
ever, that is all beside the mark. l know
that you have the authority to sign
papers and to transfer property"-he
looked at his watch-"my time is linn
tied, gentlemen; which is II to be. an
amicable settlement or-let us not
mince matters-the chain gang?"
For the first time during the inter-
view Fench reused himself to speak.
For Gods sake. Sharpless, don't trifle
with him; give him what he wants!"
None the less, Sharpless fought das-
perately, contesting every inch of
ground. It would take time to draw
UP the papers; he must at least be al.
lowed to telegraph New York; he had
no idea that his draft would he honored
without explanations. To all of which
Philip turned a deaf car and pointed
inexornbly to the alternative. He must
have the draft and the security, or the
law should be allowed to take itk
course. When it finally came down 10
a mere question OF the time required
for the preparation of the papers,
Philip produced a draft and mortgage
ready for signature, together with
quit-claim deed signed by himself IS
attorney in fact for John Kilgrow.
"You have a notary within cnll." he
said; shave him. come in and witness
your signatures"
The managers clerk was summoned,
and when Fench had written his name
with trembling fingers under the
scrawling signature of the attorney,
the clerk filed out the attcstation, and
the mortgage and the draft were land
ed to Thorndyke. Sharplcss dismissed
the young mnn curtly when his duty
was performed and turned irascibly
upon his successful opponent
"You will remember that this was
your own proposition" he said, abgri-
ly; II give you fair warning that you'll
have trouble with the matter yet be-
fore you're through with II. Now give
me that paper that you've made 20
much Of"
10 was . rash speech, and n LAwyer,l
SharpIess had not parted with all his
reserves Of shrewdDess he would never
have uttered IL. Philip calmly ignored
the demand and answered the threat.
II shall look to you TO smooth away
all difYiculties," he said, rising and tak-
ing up his crutches. "On the day your
draft is honored will release the mort
gage and mail you the forged deed
and not q moment sooner"
Five minutes afterward he was max
ing his way across the crowded street
to where Protheroe stood with two