The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-11-22

harShly. This state isn't broad enough
TO hold you and me on opposite sides
OF the fenca l could make IL too hot
20 hold you eitbout mixing up in II
myself. but l choose to fight my own
battles. VIII you take $4,000 spot
cash, and MacFarlane's job as circuit
Judge when I'm through with him?
Yes or no."
mo"
"Then what will you taie?"
without committing myself in any
sense. | might say that you are get
ting of too cheaply on your most lib
eral proposition. You and your friends
have looted a $70.0O0.Ooo railroad,
and"
"You might have stood in on that
IL you had taken Guilfords Offer" was
the brusk rejoinder. There was more
than a corporation lawyers salary in
sight, II you'd had sense enough to
see it,"
Possibly. But | stayed out-and
am still out"
DO you want to get in? Is that
your price?"
Il intend to get in-though not.
perhaps, in the way you have in mind.
Are you ready to recall Judge Mac
Farlane with instructions TO give us
our hearing on the merits?"
The governors face was wooden
when he said:
"Is that all you want? I understand
MacFarlane is returning. and you will
doubtless have your hearing in due
season"
Not unless you authorize it," Kent
objected.
"And IL I do? II I say that have
already done SO. will you come in and
lay down your arms?'
NO"
Then I'm through. Give me your
key aud write me an order on the Sc
curity bank for those papers you are
holding"
mo" said Kent, again
Il say yes!" came the explosive re-
assertion; and Kent found himself
looking down the bright barrel Of
pistol thrust into his face across the
table.
For a man who had been oftenest
an onlooker on the football half OF
life. Kent was measureably quick and
resourceful. In one motion he
clamped the weapon and turned II
aside; in another he jammed the fire
end of his cigar among the fingers
Of the grasping hand. The governor
jerked free with an oath. pain-ex-
torted; and Kent dropped the cap
tured weapon into the table drawer. II
was all done in two breaths. and when
1t was over Kent flung away the bro
ken cigar and lighted n fresh one.
THAT was a very primitive expe-
dent, your excellency, TO say the best
of II" he remarked. Have you moth
ing better to offer?"
The reply was a vild-beast growl.
and taking it for a negative. Kent
went On.
Then perhaps you will listen 20 my
proposal The papers you are so anx-
ious about are here, tapping the
envelope on the table. NO, don't try
20 snatch them; you wouldn't get out
Of here alive with them, lacking my
leave. Such of them as relate to your
completely in the Universal Oil deal
are yours-on one condition: that
your health fails and you get yourself
ordered out Of the state for the remain
der Of your term"
moi" Numbered the governor.
Every we'll; you may stay and take
a course Of home treatment, II you pre-
fer. It's optional"
by God, don't know what keeps
me from throttling you with my
hands," Bucks got upon his feet, and
Kent rose, also, slipping the box en-
velope into his pocket and laying a
precautionary hand on the drawer
pull.
The governor turned away and
walked to the window. nursing his
burned fingers. When he faced about
it was to return TO the charge.
Kent, what is ii you want? Say IL
in two words"
"Candidly, didn't know, until few
minutes ago. governor. II began with
a determination to break your grip on
my railroad, believe"
"You can have your railroad, If you
can get it-and be damned to It, and
to you. tool"
Il said 1t began that way. My sole
idea in gathering up this evidence
against you and your accomplices was
to whittle out club that would make
you let go OF the Trans-Western. For
two weeks l have been debating with
myself as to whether should buy OF
break you; and half an hour before
you came, went TO the bank and took
these papers out. meaning to go and
hunt you up"
"Well?" said the governor, ana the
word barred his teeth because his lips
were dry.
Il thought knew, in the old CASTOR
days, how many different kinds Of
scoundrel you could be, but you've sue
ceeded in showing me some new varia-
tions in the last few minutes. It's q
thousand pities that the people Of a
great state should be at the mercy Of
such a gang of pirates as you and Hen
bricks and Meigs and MacFarlane,
and"
Break II off," said Bucks
I'm through. was merely going
to add that have concluded not to
buy you"