The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1905-09-19

be at home and we'll be delighted IL
you'll drop in to relieve the monot-
ony," replied Jessie. Uncle Tom
plays a splendid hand at whist and you
can take papa's place"
Blakes spirits mounted high as hope
fed the springs of his longing. The
hour was late when he babe his fellow
guests goodnight at the carriage door,
end his being thrilled with the touch
of her hand and the light of her smile
at parting.
Blake strolled slowly up the ave-
He had not gone two squares when he
met John Burt In all the years in
San Francisco and New York this was
the first time they had met in public
thoroughfare. One of the horses haul
ing wagon laden with stage settings
had fallen and blocked the. street.
Blake concealed his confusion by
looking up and down the street for a
carriage He finally hailed driver,
ard they were rapidly driven to his
apartments.
1--WE must perfect our plans for to-
morrow" said John. THE city coun-
Gil defeated the Cosmopolitan fran
cEises tonight, and | shall move
against L. & o. tomorrow morning."
The voice was calm, but it held
note of triumph and of quiet conf.
Gence. 1t limited at no suspicion, and
Blake drew long breath of relief as
he thought of his third escape.
He shuddered to think of what
would have happened had Gen. Garden
postponed his departure from the din.
ing room by few minutes. He pic
tured John Burt entering the room.
his steady gaze fixed first on himself
and then on Jessie Garden. So vivid
was the imaginary picture that he felt
all the horror of the situation.
This is my last speculative cam
paign," said John. For years I have
been gold-grubbing and money-mak-
ing machine, and l hope my better in
stincts have survived the strain. We
shall triumph tomorrow, and when it
is ended you shall be, in fact as we'll
as in name, the head of the firm Of
James Blake & Company. | can retire
from active participation in it's affairs
as quietly as | entered, and you have
fairly won whatever of prestige at
taches to the name"
Before Blake could find words to re-
ply, the carriage stopped in front of
his apartment. They entered and
fC und Hawkins awaiting them.
I'm making myself at home, Blake"
he said. 1--we kept your man busy get
ting cigars and refreshments. Let's
get down to business, gentlemen. It's
past midnight, and we'll need all the
sleep we can get"
For nearly two hours they worked
at the plans for the battle which was
to come. At times Blake was alb.
sOrbed in the discussion, again his
mind wandered to the woman he
would buy at the price of his honor.
Then he thought of John Burt's
prlncely pledge, and like flash there
came to him an impulse which thrilled
his very soul with happiness in
which were throbs of poignant pain
Not many blocks away another con-
ference was in progress. Staid bank
dill ectors and financiers associated
with Arthur Morris had been aroused
from their slumbers and were assem-
bled in his rooms. Bewidered for the
moment by the unexpected blow, Nor
lis took measures for defense with
vigOr which was keyed by a sense Of
imminent danger. His suspicion that
James Blake was the cause of his
Cefeat became a certainty when a re.
porter informed him that Blake and
Samuel l.. Rounds were boyhood com.
IaDions, and that the latter had been
seen in Blakes Offices
The east was crimsoned with sun.
light before the conference ended.
The weary men of money left Morris
rooms and sought few hours of rest
before facing the ordeal of the day.
For mutual protection they had formed
a pool; had pledged themselves to sup
port the market against the expected
of Blake's millions.
Why were these masked millions
drawn up in battle array? Why did
men of vast affairs wait with drawn
faces and bated wreaths the hour
when the clash of opposing fortunes
should sound the signal for merciless
conflict?
Because of woman-a woman pure
rs an opening bud and gentle as the
lew which kisses it.
Why had James Blake proved false
o the man who unselfshly befriended
lin? Why had he sought to repay 10y