The San Francisco call., 1904-07-24

Us; TO buy UP our debts and even bring
false attachments. when"
Now. weren't there enough real
debts TO satisfy 'em2 They're hard to
please. il you haven't creditors enough
10 suit EN-"
He locked srim. but he didn't speak.
4 dent believe it. anyway, Mr.. o.;
and 'tisnt good Tor you TO keep think
ing about just one thing. You'll land
where Iringer did. if you don't look out.
How did he know about it. anyway"
There was leak in Tausig's Office.
Iringer used to be in with them. and he
had it from clerk who-but never
mind that It's the blacklisting I'm
talking about now. GTay's just been in
to see me- TO let me know that she
quits at the end of the season. And
his Lordship. too. OF course. You're
not burdened with a contract, Nance.
Perhaps you'd better think it over seri-
ously for a day or two and decide if il
wouldn't be best"
Il don't have to- I interrupted then.
Nance" he cried. jumping up, as
though he'd been relieved Of half his
troubles.
Il don't have to think it over"
went on slowly. not looking a. the
hand he held out TO me. 1T doesn't :
take long To know that when you're be-
tween the devil and the deep sea you'd
better try the devil rather than be
forced out into the wet"
''What?-you don't mean"
knew he was looking at me incred-
ulously. but ] just wouldn't meet his
eye.
M 1ra,-fr,e- ,-itl, ,-,,, viii do x-otl M
good" 7 was hurrying now to get it
over with and it would do me lot
Of harm. 1 think you're right. Mr..
Obermuller. I'd better just go over to
where its warm. They'll be glad to
get me and-and. to tell the truth, I'll
be glad TO get in with the syndicate.
even II can't make as good terms as
I might have by selling that contract,
which-like the famous conspiracy
you're half mad about-never existed. -
He sat down on the edge Of the desk.
I caught one glimpse Of his face II
was black: that was enough for me. i
turned 10 go.
"Ah. but it did. Miss Olden, it did"
he sneered.
4 won't believe il on the word Of a
man that's been in the lunatic asylum
ever since he lost his theater."
Perhaps youm believe it on mine"
I jumped. "On yours"
Didn't that little bully, when he lost
his temper that day at the Van Twiller
when we had our last fght-didn't he
pull a paper out of his box and shake
il I'm my face. and
"But-you could have them arrested
for conspiracy and
And the proof Of it could be de-
stroyed and then-but I can't see how
this interests YOU
"No-no.'. I said thoughtfully. Il
only happened tO lump il in with the
contract We haven't-you and l. And
as there's no contract. why there's no
need Of my waiting till the end Of the
season.
do you mean to say u'd-you' ID
IF 'twere done. 'twere better it'd be
done quickly" I said Macbethically.
He looked at me. Sitting there on
his desk. his clenched fist on his knee
he looked for moment as though he
was about To fly at me. Then all of a
sudden ne slipped into his chair. leaned
back and laughed
IT wasn't a pleasant laugh. Mag. No
wait Let me tell you the rest
You are SO shrewd. Olden, so aw-
fully shrewd, Your eye is so everlast-
inSiy out Cor the main chance. and
you're still so young that 1 predict a
a great future for you 1 might even
suggest that by cultivating Tausig per-
snuallv-"
YOU needn't"
~. you're right: ] needn't. You
can discount any suggestion / might
make You just want TO be the first to
60 over. Ell? To get there before Gray
does-to get all there is in it for the
first rebel that lays down his arms;
not to come in late when submission is
stale-and cheap. Don't worry about
terms. you poor little babe in the
woods. Don't" His own word
seemed to choke him.
Don't you think" I began a Bit
unsteadily.
Il think-oh. what a fool I've beeni'
That stifened me.
of course, you have" I said cor
daily. It's silly 10 fight the push
isn't it2 It's only the cranks that get
cocky and think they can upset the fel-
lows on top. The thing TO do is TO find
out which is the stronger-if you're &
.ilNAAFA man LL4cu Lllr DltEI ltlDNs QohA
him. If he's the champion, enlist un-
der him. But be in il. What's the use
Of being a kicker all your life? You
only let some one else come in for the
soft things. while you stay outside and
gnaw your fnger-nails and plot and
plan and starve. You spend your life
hoping 10 live tomorrow, while the
Tausigs are living high to-day. The
thing to do is to be humble if you can't
be arrogant If they've got you in the
door. don't curse. but placate them
Think of Gaffney herding sheep out ir
Nevada; Of Iringer in the asylum; o,
Howison-'
Admirable, admirablei'' he inter
rupted sarcastically. The only fault
have to find with your harangue is thai
you've misconceived my meaning en-.
tirely But ] needn't enlighten you
Good morning. Miss Olden-good- by.
He turned TO his desk and pulled out
some papers I knew he wasn't so des
perately absorbed in them as he pre-
tended 10 be.
Won't you shake hands" / asked
"and wish me luck2"