The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-10-20
THE
MINORITY
By FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
Author of The Case and
Exceptions, Etc.
Co ntiGued

seemed 10 nave WltnereQ ana uleu De-
fore the one furious blast of rage which
that refuse Findled.
She was no longer angry. She did
not hate him. But the power she had
put into his hands should not, must
not be used against John Kennard.
What could she do? Suppose she went
20 Maddox and asked his advice? She
would have to tell him the whole
story-the whole pitiful, humiliating
story
Leslie's cheeks famed at the
thought, and her dry eyes ached for
The relief of tears that would not
come.
If she could revoke the
power delegated to her father, would
she have the courage to take any fur
Their steps? It might involve public
scandal; it could not fail to cause pri-
gate gossip. What would John Ken
nard think of the woman who openly
defied her own father in order to as
sist a man who had no claim upon
her, and that man her fathers oppo-
uent? There would be no concealing
her purpose. 1t would be plain as the
light of day. And for it there could
be but one explanation. No man-nO
matter how modest or self-deprecia-
tive-could avoid an inference so forced
upon him. Unless the whole story
were told? But it could not be told!
He would be generous-she knew it.
t1e would look away with manly hon
or-he would be chivalrous in every
way-but she would be at his feet and
there could be nothing for her but
pity. And pity would kill her!
Was the need for action so imper-
tive, after all? Was it not merely a
business quarrel? Was she not plan
ming, with a wome~.'s impulsiveness, a
move for which there was no neces-
sity, and which might only result in
making her ridiculous? Were the
votes she was proposing to give Tohr.
Kennard really hers? II ner rather
purposed making a bad use of his vote,
was not this between him and his
conscience? Would she better it by
appropriating his power under cover
Of a merely technical right? But he
had said the shares were hers, and the
failure Of the Milling Companies ex-
planned why he desired to have no
property in his name. She had more
than a technical right But If she did
not exercise it, what then? The com
pany would still go on, and Yes, she
remembered. John Kennard would be
ruined And the men and women for
whom he was fighting? Could she ever
face him again if. with the power to
prevent his enemies from succeeding,
she did not use it? Would not this
forever stand between them? Would
she not hear the accusation interrupt
ing every word he spoke, mocking her
every answer?
No, these were her thoughts, not
his! She dishonored him by hesita-
tion-dishonored the man she loved!
Yes, let her say it bravely. And the
man she loved would some day know
that he had no better friend And
meanwhile? And afterward? Well,
what matter!
Circles, curves and angles, crossing
and recrossing one another intertwin-
ing, separating, ending to begin anew
forming a maze whose secret was a
young girls heart.
whats the reason you can't accept
that power?"
Mr. Trundells voice had the bully
ing tone likely to silence timid man
before crowded ROOM
Whats the reason you can't accept
IT." he repeated. Mr.. Harlan gave
me this proxy when he was called
away to Duluth. What more do you
want?"
There's another proxy revolling
this, offered by Mr. Maddox" replied
the teller, lowering his voice.
Mr. Trundell snatched the paper held
out to him, and muttered something
which made the waiting stockholders
strain their ears.
Maddox pushed his way to the table
where Trundell and the election official
were talking.
Il call your attention, Mr.. Teller"
he remarked, calmly, ito the fact that
my proxy is dated yesterday, and SUI
percedes any of previous date" he
added, quietly, as he sat down.
Mr.. Trundell glanced angrily at the
speaker and examined the papers more
closely Suddenly he whipped out a
fountain ZEN and rapidly inserted
date.
are you doing there?"
Maddox sprang to his feet and |
reached for the paper, but Trundell |
pulled it away.
'T'm filing in a blank date, as I've |
a right to do. Mr. Lawyer. Harlan's |
daughter didn't date her proxy, so I've
done it for her. The dates to-day"
Il demand that that power be re-
jectcd!" exclaimed Maddox. You've
seen him insert the date, which is
enough to invalidate the instrument,
but it is expressly revoked by my
proxy, which makes it invalid NO mat
ter what the date"
II don't propose to take the law
from you as to that!" snapped Mr..
Trundell "The tellers have no right |