Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-02-13
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
There was somewhat sensational
account of the riot at the iron works
in the newspapers the following
morning; rather more sensational
than the facts known to the report
ers justified, though less startling
than it would have been if the Griffin
episode had been given it's due share
in the recountal.
Margery Grierson read the report
ers' version of the affair over her cup
of coffee, brought, la Francois, to
her bedside, and was moved thereby
to bestir herself rather earlier than
usual. One of Miss Grierson'se re-
venges for an unlove1y past was a
certain izard-like basking in the sun
shine of affluence, and she was wont
to deride the early morning habit of
Wahaska, and to let her own morning
begin in the middle of the Wahaskan
forenoon.
But on this occasion she broke her
rule. surprising her father by trip
ping airily into his private Office
few minutes after the bank had been
opened. At that hour, the president
was alone and disengaged; an Incl
able to Margery's purpose; and to
snapped the catch of the night latch
as she closed the door behind her
There was a great straight-backed
chair at the end of the presidents
desk; a chair with high arms and un-
comfortable angles designed to seize
and hold suppliant visitor to the
hof he inhf No ut ND
SO more easily amenable to rea-
son - Jasper Grierson's reason.
Margery was far enough above
such purely adventitious hindrances,
but this morning she avoided the
chair, going to perch in one of the
deep-bayed window seats. 90
Jasper Grierson swung slowly in
his big pivot-chair, famed rift in
the nimbus Of cigar smoke with
which ohe had surrounded himself,
closed eyes and said: o'Wen?"
Q 81 came to- tell you it is time to
quit" she said. slowly, meeting his
gaze with level eyes
thine to quit what?'
"Youok know well enough. You have
made all the trouble you need to for
Mr.. Raymer."
Jasper Grierson tilted his chair to
a more comfortable angle and
laughed; slow, gurgling laugh, that
spread from lip to eye and thence
| abroad through his great frame till
he shook like a giant in mirth.
stGood Lord, Madge, have you just
got around to that?"ehe said,5 chuck
ling again. "Why, I'd clean forgot
all about your share O. stock in that
deal, long ago; been buying it in on
my own account for I don't know
how long"
o"I'm sorry you forgot. It's time to
remember, now"
What am I to remember?"
"That you were to turn around and
help him when 1 gave the word"
'tOh, no; guess note It's business
| now, and no social tea-fght of
yours" %
She was tapping the toe of her
boot with her riding whip, and she
| looked up suddenly.
| o''Does that mean that you intend
going on till you have ruined him 2"
she asked.
Tin going to break him. and that
| other fool friend Of yours, If that's
what you want to know
| For a swift instant there was q
| flash of sullen lightning in her eyes.
| but IT went out suddenly as if at the
bidding of q will stronger than any
up-fiash of passion
! 'Please!s" she said. beseechingly.
| ePlease what?"
please ruin somebody else, and let
/ Mr.-let these two CO."
| $50 you're caught at last, are you.
my lady? I wondered If you would
MT come out Of that pool with the
hook in your mouth. But you may as
well pull loose. even if it hurts lit
tie. These two fellows have got to
/ come under. They've declared war.
and by-they shall have war"
| She looked across at him steadily,
and the glow Of rising passion came
and went in her eyes. And yet she
spoke softly
| That is your last word, is it?
| "You can call it anything you like.
I'm not ON the quitting hand Just