The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-09-05

frankly. Its nothing you have done
anyhow" he said as an afterthought.
NO, but begin TO think 1t might
just as well have been"
DR.. Emory regarded him earnestly.
My boy, I'm awfully sorry for you.
and I'm afraid you have got In for
more than YOU can manage. It looks
rs though your troubles were all com.
ing In Il bunch"
Dan smiled.
My aniecedents won't affect the sit.
uation dov At the shops, if that ID
what YOU mean. The men may not
like me any the better or respect me
any the more for knowing of them, but
they will discover that that will make
no difference where our relations are
concerned"
ITO be sure. only meant that pub
lie opinion will be pretty strong
against you 1t somehow has an In.
fluence," ruefully.
~ suppose it has" rather sadly.
do you have to stay and face I'll
1t might be easier, you know
HOh luCuii tNdNlly W luA away
II am pledged to put the shops and
road on Il paying basis for General
Cornish. He'd about made up his
mind to sell to the NJ and W. If he
does 1t will mean the closing Of the
shops, and they will never be opened
up again. That will wipe Antioch of
the map. Not SO very long ago I had
a good deal of sympathy for the people
who would lie ruined, aud I can't
change simply because they have,
can II" with II look OH his face which
belonged to his father.
The doctor stroked his beard medi.
tatively and considered the question.
II suppose there Is such a thing as
duty, but don't you think, under the
circumstances, your responsibility 70
really very lightT'
Dan laughed softly.
II didn't imagine you would be the
first to advise me to shirk it."
II wouldn't ordinarily, but you don't
know Antioch. They can make 1t very
unpleasant for you The town is In q
fever Of excitement over what has hap
pened today. 1t seems the men are
not through with you yet"
Yes, l know. My father should have
gone back. 1t looks as If I'd yielded,
but couldn't ask him to when I saw
how he felt about it,
you see, the town lives off the shops
and road. II is a personal matter to
every man, woman and child in the
place"
That's what makes me so mad at
the stupid fools said Oakley, with
some bitterness. They haven't the
brains to see that they have a lot more
ut stake than any one else. If they
could gain anything from a fight I'd
have plenty of patience with them, but
they are sure losers. Even If they
strike and the shops are closed for the
next six months it won't cost Cornish
dollar--indeed it will be money in
his pocket"
II don't think they'll strike" said
the doctor. Il didn't mean that exact
ly, but they'll try to keep you on q
strain"
"They have done about all they can
In that direction. The worst has hap
pened. | woh't say 1t didn't bruise me
up bit. Why. ! am actually sore In
every bone and muscle. l was never
80 battered, but I'm beginning to get
back, and I'm going to live the whole
thing down right here. l can't have
skeletons that are liable to be unearth-
ed at any moment"
He took a letter from his pocket,
opened it and handed it to the doctor.
II guess you can see to read this II
you will step nearer the street lamp"
The letter was an offer from one Of
the big eastern lines. While the doc
tor knew very little of railroads, he
understood that the offer was fine
one and was impressed accordingly.
''I'd take it." he said. ~ wouldn't
fritter away 10Y time here. Precious
little thanks you'll ever get"
II can't honorably break with Cen
eral Cornish. In fact, l have already
declined, but l wanted you to see the
letter."
II am sorry for your sake that you
did. You are sure to have more trou-
ble."
$50 much the more reason why
should stay"
II am quite frank with you, Oakley.
Some strong influence is at work. No.
1t hasn't to do with your father. You
can't well be held accountable for his
acts"
Ryder's laughter reached them as he
spoke. Oakley could see him family
outlined IN the moonlight, where he sat
between Constance Emory and her
mother. The influence was there. It
was probably at work at that very mo-
ment.
Il wouldn't be made a martyr
through any chivalrous sense of duty"
continued the doctor. I'D look out for
myself"
Dan laughed again.