The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-05-18
THE MINORITY
BY FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
Author Of THE Case and Exceptions" etc.
Copyright. ioOs, by Frederick A. Stokes 6 Co.,

derrick A. Stokes Col
whats the reason you can't accept
that power?"
Mr.. Trundell's voice had the bully
ing tone likely to silence a timid man
before a 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 revoking
this, offered by Mr.. Maddox" replied
the teller, lowering his voice.
Mr. Trundell snatched the paper held
out to him, and muttercd something
which made the waiting stockholders
strain their ears.
Maddox pushed his way to the table
where Trundell and the election official
were talking.
81 call your attention, Mr.. Teller"
he remarked. calmly, ITO the fact that
my proxy is dated yesterday, and su-
rercedes any of previous date" he
added, quietly, as he sat down.
Mr.. Trundell glanced angrily at the
speaker aud examined the papers more
closely. Suddenly he whipped out a
fountain pen and rapidly inserted a
date.
What are you doing there?"
Maddox sprang to his feet and
reached for the paper, but Trundell
pulled 1t away.
I'm filling in blank date, as I've
right to do Mr.. Lawyer. Harlan's
daughter didn't date her proxy. so I've
done it for her. The dates to-day!"
81 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"
Il don't propose to take the law
from you as to that" snapped Mr..
Trundell "The tellers have no right
10 pass upon the validity OF proxies.
If these shares decide the election.
The courts will have to determine who's
elected"
And in the mean time you hold
over, eh?"
Right you are for once, Maddox"
Mr.. Trundell smiled sneeringly as he
gave the answer.
Thanks for informing me Of your
cheerful intentions before the polls
have closed" retorted Dave, as he
moved toward the door.
Miss Harlan!" he called. will you
step here a moment?'
The room was hushed to breathless
silence at Leslie Harlan entered. Mad
dox whispered a few words in her ear,
and then moved to the table, at which
Leslie seated herself with quiet self
possession.
I'VE are very sorry to trouble you,
Miss Harlan" began the teller.
"Louder!" shouted some one in the
back of the room. Maddox could not
"epress a smile, but he shook his head
1T the eager little audience.
But there Is some question about
the proxies offered in your name" con-
tinued the official, land as we cannot
decide between conflicting powers, it
has been thought better, in order that
there may be no mistake, to let you
say yourself which you confirm-the
one held by Mr.. Maddox or this Of
fered by Mr.. Trundell."
Leslie's eyes followed the speaker 8
gesture as he indicated Mr.. Trundell.
81 am advised that my presence re-
vokes both," she answered gravely. Il
will therefore vote in person. l hope
you won't be offended?" she added
turning to Maddox smilingly.
"Yur roight Ladys-Niver lit amy
man go into the booth f. YET"
Leslie turned and saw Pat Mullins
face shining with excitement and ap-
proval
The pencils purred busily for Is min
utes after the polls closed, but no ono
left the room, and when the teller
rose to announce the result. Chairman
Hardness had no need to rap fol
order
"We announce the election of the
ticket headed by Mr.. John Kennard
by 9S73 votes"
"Begorra, thot's me three!-Didn''
OF tell ye, Lady? Do yur own votin'!
-Hurroo fer John Kcnnard!-Prais'
be, he'll yit live to-"
But Mr.. Mullins enthusiasm was re-
pressed long enough to allow the meet
ing to adjourn with due decorum.