Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-10-12

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told me. Thcn we could have made
him put his offer Into writing or make
1t in my presence. AS 1t Is he's got you
where the hair is uncommonly Short"
"How do you meanw
"Wby. he has written to the finan'
ciers telling them that as soon as tney
employed you. you went to MIN ana
demanded n payment OF $loooo as an
inducement to you to make a favorable
rerort: that he refused and that con-
sequently your report was adverse.
They will refuse to build the railroad
but they have written to ask me as TO
your integrity"
"The internal scoundrel! How
ut doesn't pay to call him names.
We must think out way to meet tnis
thing"
"rll horsewhip him on the street"
exclaimed Duncan.
mo, don't! That would only adver-
tise the matter and do no good. a man
of your physique has no occasion for
fear In horsewhlpping man IKE nap
per Tandy, and can show no courage
by doing 1t. The only result would Do
that people would say there must be
something In his accusation, else you
wouldn't be so mad about It. You
nave made good many enemies, you
know, and they will take pleasure In
repeating Tandy's accusations. Real
ly, Duncan. YOU ought to have been
more discreet. You ought to have TAX
EN- a witness with you when you went
to his house for consultation. AS 1t Is.
the flnanciers have 80 far believed In
you as to reject his scheme on your
report and In face of his accusation,
but he'll do you mighty lot OF dam
age In Cairo and elsewhere. l don't
know what to do"
81 do" answered Guilford Duncan
resolutely. "a year ago you and Ober
wanted to make me mayor OF this
town. explained to you that ] was
Ineligible then, not having been long
enough a resident Of the state. l am
eligible now, and l shall announce my
self today rs a candidate"
"What good will that dO?"
"It will give the people Of the city
a chance to pass upon my integrity
to say by their ballots what they think
of me, and incidentally 1t may give me
an opportunity to say what I think
and know of Napier Tandy."
81 don't know SO well about that.
You see, people don't always express
their opinions by their votes. They
let their politics and their prejudices
have a say. and you know you have
made n good many enemies. Then,
again, what good will it do you to tell
the public what you think Of Tandy?
That won't convince living soul who
isn't convinced already. The rest Will
say you are naturally very angry with
the man who found you out-the man
from whom you unsuccessfulfy tried to
extort bride.
"You see there were no witnesses
present when your interview with Tan
DIV occurred. That was a capital mis-
take on your part. Then, too, you
went to his house for this business,
and people will say that that, too, looks
bad. You have destroyed the invita-
ton he sent you, and so you have moth
ing to show that you didn't go to bis
house. as he says you did, without In
vitation In order to extort a bride. It's
bad mixup, but for you to go into
politics would only make 1t worse. we
must find another way out. Keep per-
fectly still and leave the matter to me.
I'll plan something" Then suddenly
thought flashed into Captain Will Hal
! lam's mind.
"By Jove! I've got 1t, believe. 60
! down to our bank and ask the cashier,
Mr.. Stafford, how many shares we can
control In the X National-Tandy's
bank. He's president. you know"
Without at all understanding Captain
Hallams purpose. Duncan went upon
this mission. returning presently with
the information that In one way and
another the HaIlam bank controlled
| forty-eight shares Of the X Nationals
stock, or three shares less than a ma
jorlty of the whole. He brought also
the message from Stafford that as Tan
| DIV himself controlled the remaining
ffty-two shares it would probably be
impossible at present to buv any more.
Ito be continued)