Courier Democrat., 1904-11-17

tive which prevents you from operating nay
paper as l direct, l should have been liz
formed OF it. This is a matter vital TO the
interests of our community, and you have
hitherto shown yourself too alert in ac-
cepting my slightest suggestion for me TO
coustrue this failure as negligence.
You will receive this letter by 1 this
evening by special delivery. You will
print the facts concerning McCune in to-
morrow mornings paper.
am we'll aware of the obligations un-
der which your extreme efficiency and
your thoughtfulness in many matters
have placed me. 1t is to you I owe my
unearned profits from the transaction in
oil, and 1t is to you owe the Herald's
extraordinary present circulation. growth
OF power and influence. That power Is
still under my direction and is an added
responsibility which shall npt be nisap-
piled.
Are you sorry for McCune? 1 warned
him long ago that the papers YOU hold
would be published If he ever tried to re-
turn to political life, and he is deliberately
counting on my physical weakness and
absence. Let him rely upon it-I am not
so weak as he thinks. I am sorry for him
from the bottom OF my heart. but the
Herald is not.
You need not reply by letter. Tomor-
rows issue answers for you. Until have
received copy withhold my judgment.
JOHN HARMLESS.
Tomorrow's issue-that fateful print
on which depended John Harkless
opinion of 81. Fisbee's integrity-con-
tained an editorial addressed to the
delegates Of the convention, warning
them to act for the vital interest Of the
community and declaring that the op-
portunity to be given them in the pres
ent convention was rare one, sim
gular piece of good fortune indeed.
They were to have chance to vote for
man who had won the love and re-
spect Of every person in the district
one who had suffered for his champion
ship of righteousness; one whom even
! his few political enemies confessed
they held in personal affection and es
TEEN; one who had been the inspiration
Of new era; one whose life had been
helpfulness, whose hand had reached
out to every struggler and unfortunate:
a man who had met and faced danger
for the sake of others; one who lived
under threat for years, and who had
been almost overborne in the fulfllment
Of that threat. but who would live to
see the sun shine on his triumph, the
tribute the convention would bring him
as gift from community that loved
him. His name needed not to be told.
It was on every lip that morning and
in every heart.
Tom was eagerly watching his COM
panion as he read. Harkless fell back
On the pillows with drawn face, and
, for a moment he laid his thin hand
over his eyes in gesture of intense
pain.
What is it?' Meredith said quickly.
1 "Give me the pad, please"
"What is it, boy:"
! The others teeth snapped together.
What is it," he cried. "What is it?
It's treachery, and the worst l ever
knew. Not word of the accusation l
, demanded-lying praises instead! Read
that editorial-there, there" He struck
the page with the back Of his hand and
threw the paper to Meredith. Read
that miserable lie! One who has won
the love and respect Of every person in
the district One who has suffered
for his championship of righteousness
Righteousness. Save the mark
what does it meany''
/ "Mean. 1t means McCune, Rod Nc
Cune. who has lived under threat
for years'-my threat. swore l would