Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-09-22

There was a leak IN 1ausls oince.
Iringer used to be ID with them, and
he had il from a clerk vho-but never
mind that. It's the blacklisting I'm
talking about now. Gray's just been
in. to see me, to let me know that she
quits at the end Of the seasons And
his Lordship, too, Of course. You're
not burdened with contract, Nance.
Perhaps you'd better think 1t over
seriously for day or two and decide
if,N wouldn't be best"
81 don't have to-" l interrupted
then.
"Nance!" he cried, jumping. up, as
though he'd been relieved of half his
troubles.
81 don't have to. think II over" !
went on slowly, not looking at, the
hand he held out to me. 1T doesn't
take long TO know that when you're
between the devil and the deep sea,
you'd better try the devil rather IMAM
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
eyes
my staying with you will do you
no good" was hurrying nov to get
II over with-"and ii would DO me
lot of harm. | think you're right, Mr.
obermuller; Id better just go over to
where it's 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 il / can't make as good terms as
| might have by selling that contract,
which-like the hlmous conspiracy
you're half mad about-never existed"
He sat down on the edge Of the desk,
| caught one glimpse of his face. II
was black: that was enough for me-
turned TO 90. d.
"Ah, but it did, Miss olden, It did,"
he sneered.
81 won't believe 1t on the WORD OF a
man that's been In the Mnatic asylum
ever since he lost his theater."
Perhaps you'll believe it on mine"
| Jumped. "0n 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 1t
in my face. and"
"But-you could have them arrested
|. for conspiracy and"
and the proof of il could be destroyed
and then-but can't see how this in
terests you"
Mono" said. thoughtfully. 81
only happened 10 lump ii in with the
contract We haven't-you and /. 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 you'd-youd-"
IF 'twere done, 'twere better IT'D be
done quickly" ] said, Macbethically.
He looked at me. Sitting there on his
desk. his clenched fist on his knee. he
looked for a moment as though he was
about TO fly at me. Then all Of a sud-
den he slipped into his chair, leaned
back and laughed.
Ii wasn't 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-
ingly out for the main chance, and
you're still so young that predict a
a great future for you | might even
suggest that by cultivating Tausig per-
'onally-'
You needn't"
NO, you're right; needn't. You can
discount any suggestion ! might make.
You Just want to be the first TO 90 over,
Ell? To get there before Gray does-to
get al! there is in ii for the first rebel
that lays down his arms; not to come
in late when submission is stale-aDd
cheap. Don't worry about terms. you
poor little babe In the woods. Don't"
His own words seemed to choke him.
Don't you think" began bit un-
. steadily. D..
81 think-oh. what a fool Eve been!"
That stiffened me.
"Of course, you have" said. cordial
ly It's silly to fight the push isn't il d?
It's only the cranks that get coz ky and
think they can upset the fellows on top.
The thing to do is to find out which is
the stronger--if you're better man
than the other fellow, down him. II
he's the champion, enlist under Lin
But be in it, What's the use of being
& kicker all your life? You only L;
some one else come IN for the soft things
while you stay outside and gnaw your
fnger-nails and plot and plan and
starve ou.spend your life hoping to
live tomorrow. while the Tausigs are
living high to-day The thing TO do il
TO be humble il you can't be arrogant
II they've got you in the door, DOM
curse, but placate them Think Of Gan
oey herding sheep out in Nevada; Of
ringer in the asylum: of Howison-"
Admirable. admirable!" he inter
rupted, sarcastically THE only fault
] have to find with your harangue is thai
you've misconceived my meaning en-
trely. But needn't enlighten you
Good morning Miss Olden-good-by.
n -