The Elbert County tribune., 1904-11-10

You are cur and coward, Nor
ris," he said, looking at the younger
man with blazing eyes. Lay hand
on me If you dare."
With ,nuttered oath Morris turned
and left the old soldier standing def
antly by the railing. A minute later
General Garden entered carriage
and was driven rapidly to the offices
of James Blake & Company.
In the meantime Morris had fol
lowed Mr. Mason to his private Office.
I'D like to punch old Cardcr "a
head, and I'd have done it hadn't it
been for you," he declared. What's
he prowling around here for? What
did he want?"
He demanded his L. & o. stock :"
replied Mr.. Mason.
'TUn L. &c o. stock" repeated Mo-
ris. well, what of it? He didr {
wish me to make him a present of It,
did be? If he comes around again
tell him to dig up about three hun
dred thousand dollars and he can have
his stock"
Norris laughed as he stepped to tie
ticker.
He showed his option, demanded
the stock, and paid over the money"
said Mr.. Mason slowly, land 1 gave
him the certificates"
"Old Garden took up his stock ant
paid over the money? What do yoh
mean Mason?"
81 mean just what l say. Mr.. MOI
ris,'' was the reply. DO you know
what has happened? With that stock
you lose control of L. & o. Someone
is back of General Garden in this
transaction"
Blake! Blakel" gasped Morris.
He clutched the arm of his chair
nervously. Pacing up and down the
room he burst into storm of inco-
herent profanity.
The ticker, which had been silent,
spluttered rapidly. and the ominous
sound did more to call Morris back
to his senses than hau the sober
words of the broker. He lifted the
tape and eagerly scanned the charac-
tiers whats that? This must be a
mistakel Five hundred shares OF l..
& o. at 49, 1t must mean 2S?" Nor
ris gazed at the figures like one in
trance.
There came a violent rapping on the
door, and, without waiting for a re
Spouse, a broker entered. His collar
was torn open and his hair was
rumpled and moist with perspiration.
BLAKE & Company are bidding ny
l.. G. o." he exclaimed. i've sold
them four thousand shares up to 35,
and they are yelling for more. How
does 1t stand now?"
He took the tape from Arthur Nor
ris' nerveless hand.
"Thirty-nine! Thirty-nine and a
half Six hundred at fortyl A thou
sand at forty-one! Something's up,
tell youl What shall we do, Mr.. Nor
ris?"
Morris gazed hopelessly at Mr.. Ma
son.
What can we do?" he asked, weak
ly. His brain was in a whirl.
A heavy step was heard in the hall
way and Randolph Morris entered
the room.
You've raised hell, haven't your"
was his greeting to his son and heir
81 told you to keep your nose out of
this Cosmopolitan business. You've
made fine mess of it, | suppose you
think, because the bottom hasn't fall
en- out of Cosmopolitan, that you're
all right. don't ye? Been supporting
it, haven't ye? OF course you have
You're an ass. Admit it, and take
your losses. I'll bet this damn fool
play will cost more than a million"
Tell him about this business" said
Arthur Morris, sullenly turning to
Mr.. Mason.
In few words the latter explained
what had occurred in l.. & o. The
old millionaire's face was a study
during this hurried recital.
The look of anger changed to one
of perplexity and then to fear. The
millions amassed in a lifetime were
menaced in his old age. and the fires
of defense and defiance blazed again
in the eyes of Randolph Morris.
ITO be continued)