Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-04
THE CHAPTERS
(copyright, Ioo4, by The Bobbs-M Merrill companyl
2 R AN CIS LIN D B

general. And now we are beginning to see our way a little clearer. It is
 not too late for us to move in the quo
 warranto proceedings. If you will call
 at my office I shall be glad to reopen
 the matter with you."
 And the price?" said Kent, shortly.
 "Oh, my dear sir! must we put it
 upon the ground of a quid pro quo?
 Rather let us say that We shall help
 each other You are in position to
 assist me very materially; I may be
 in position to serve your turn Come to my office tomorrow morning pre-
 pared to do your duty as an honest, loyal citizen, and you will find me quite willing to meet you halfway"
 Kent rose and opened his watch.
 "Mr. Meigs, have given you your opportunity, and you have seemed to give me mine," he said, coolly. Will you pardon me if say that can pad dle my own canoe-if ask you to as- sure his Excellency that one more de- vice of his to escape punishment has been tried and found wanting?"
 For fitting moment the cast-iron smile faded from the impassive face of the attorney general and an unre- lenting devil came to peer out of the colorless eyes. Then Meigs rose cat like and laid his hand on the door knob.
 Do understand that you refuse to move in matter which should be the first duty of good citizen, Mir Kent?" he asked, purringly.
 q certainly do refuse to fall into any such clumsy trap as you have been trying to bait for me, MT. Meigs," said David Kent, dropping back into his former curtness.
 The door opened slowly under the impulse of the slender womanish hand.
 You have a task of some magnitude before you, MT. Kent. You can scarcely hope to accomplish it alone"
 The door closed softly behind the re- treating figure of the attorney general, and Kent released the spring of the night-latch. Then he went to the dropped portiere at the Farther end of the room, drew it aside and looked in on man who was writing at table pushed out between the windows.
 You heard him, Loring?" he asked.
 The ex-manager nodded.
 'They are hard pressed" he said. Then, looking up quickly: You could name your price if you wanted to close out the stock of goods in hand, David"
 It was in the afternoon of the same day that Kent found note in his key box at the Clardendon asking him to call up 124 Tejon avenue by telephone. He did 1t at once, and Penelope an swered. The key-box note had been placed at Elinor's request, and she, Miss Penelope, could not say what was wanted; neither could she say definitely when her sister would be in. Elinor had gone out an hour earlier with MT. Ormsby and Miss Van Brock in MT. Ormsby's motor-car When was he, Daivd Kent, coming up? Did he know they were talking of spending the remainder of the summer at Breezeland inn? And where was MT. Loring all this time?
 Kent made fitting answers to all these queries, hung up the ear-piece and went away moodily reflective. He was due at meeting of the exec ltive committee of the Civic league. but he let the public business wait while he speculated upon the probable 1 object of Elinor's telephoning him.
 Now there is no field in which the of human nature is so persistent as in that which is bound- ,d by the sentimentally narrowed | horizon of man in love. With Orms- i by at the nodus of his point of view, David Kent made no secret of his open 1 .ivalry of the millionaire, declaring ais intention boldly and taking no shame therefor. But when he faced lbout toward Elinor he found himself growing hotly jealous for her good 'aith; careful and fearful lest she should say or do something not strict y in accordance with the letter and ;pirit of her obligations as Ormsby's iancee.
 For this cause he had been postpon- Ing the promised visit, and thereby Dostponing the taking of the final step n the campaign of intimidation. The unexplained telephone call decided Jim, however. He would go and see slinor and have the ordeal over with.
 But as preliminary he dined that svening with ormsby at the Camelot Hub. and over the coffee had 1t out with him. !
 q am going out to see Miss Brent sood tonight" he announced ab- uptly. Have you any obiection?"
 The millionaire gave him the hrewdest of overlooks. ending with deep-rumbling laugh.
 Kent. you are the queerest lot ave ever discovered. and that is say ng good bit. Why. in the name of III the properties, should I obiect?"
 Your right is unchsllenged.- lent admitted.
 '1s it7 Better ask Miss Brentwood bout that. She might say it isn't"
 T don't understand" said Kent, ry-tOngued-
 Don't you7 Perhaps I'd better ex- lain: she might find it a little difH- llt You have been laboring under le impression that ve are engaged. sven't youy' Laborinz under the-vhy. good pzre-z -1a,F fla in eve-rhoHN-s