Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-05-20

sotd pIonk bI,,ntI,, 1t out, and l
propose to put
1t there. That is all I had meant to
say to you, Mr.. Quarter. I'm not
averse to saying II here to you, and /
do There's no secrecy about it. Fig
ure II out for yourself how much stock
/ control and who let II go Settle
your family questions and put your
house In order then invite me to call
and I'll do 1t. And have an idea that
we are going TO stand on our own legs
again and recover our self respect and
our fighting capacity, and l rather
think Wen stop this holdup business
and that our Intercounty friend will
let go the sand bag and pocket the
jimmy and talk business across the
line fence"
Quarters characteristic pallor was
no index to his feelings, nor was his
Icy reticence. All hell might be boil
ing below.
When anybody gave Quarter let
ter to read he took long time reading
II, but If he was slow he was also mi
mute. He went over every word again
and again, studying, absorbing each
letter, each period, the conformation
of every word. And when he ended
he had in his brain a photograph of
the letter which he would never forget.
And now, slowly, infinitely, method
ically, he was going over and over
Plank's words, and his manner of say
Ing them, and their import, and the
hidden one. If any.
II Plank had spoken the truth-and
there was no reason to doubt it-Plank
had quietly acquired controlling IN
terest In Amalgamated Electric. That
meant treachery in somebody. Who?
Probably Siward, perhaps Belwether.
He would not look at the latter just
yet; not for a minute or two. There
was time enough TO see through that
withered. pink and white old fraud.
But why had Plank done thisf And
why did Plank suspect him OF any de-
sire to wreck his own property? He
did suspect him, that was certain
After silence he spoke quietly and
without emotion:
Everybody concerned Will be glad
to see Amalgamated Electric declaring
dividends. This is a shock to u.s." he
glanced impassively at the shrunken
major. "but pleasant shock. / think
II we'll to arrange a meeting as soon
as possible"
Tomorrow" said Plank, with q
manner OF closing discussion And in
his brusque ending Of the matter
Quarter detected the ringing under
tone OF an authority he never had and
never would endure. If Plank suspect
ed him, he must also suspect him of
completely in the Intercounty grab.
He must suspect him of the ruthless
crushing power that corrupts or ami
hilates opposition, making a mockery
Of legislation. a jest of the courts and
an epigram Of peoples Indignation.
AS Quarter sat there meditating
his long white fingers caressing his
soft, pointed beard, Sylvia came in,
greeting the men collectively with
nod and offering her hand to Plank.
Dinner is announced" she said.
"Please go in farm fashion. Waitr'
Quarter stood aside for her to pass.
"No, you go ahead, Howard, and you"
to the major.
Left for a moment in the room VITA
Plank. she stood listening to the others
descending the stairs, then:
"Have you seen Mr.. Siward?"
Yes" said Plank.
"Ohl Is he wellY
mot very"
as he well enough to read a letter
and to answer oneT'
"Oh, yes; he's well enough in that
way"
Il supposed so. That Is why said
to you, over the wire, not to trouble
him with my request"
"You mean that | am not to say
anything about your offer to buy the
hunterf'
mo. If make up my mind that
want the horse I'll write him-per-
haps."
Lingering still. she let one hand fall
on the banisters, turning back toward
Plank, who was following.
Il understood you to mean that
that Mr.. Siward's financial affairs were
anything but satisfactory T-the sweet.
trailing. upward infection making II
question.
"When did | say thatT' demanied
Plank.
"Once-a month ago"
81 didn't" said Plank bluntly.
"Oh, had inferred II, then, FROM
something you said or something you
were silent about Is that itg"
81 don't know"
"Am quite wrong theu7" she asked.
looking him IN the eyes.
And Plank. who never lied, found no
answer. Considering him for a mo-
ment In silence, she turned again and
descended the stairs.
The dinner was one OF those thor
oughly well chosen dinners OF few
courses and faultless service suitable
for card players, who neither care TO
stun themselves as a preliminary to n
battle royal nor TO dawdle through
courses, eliminating for themselves
what is not good for them. The men
drank light. sound, aromatic Irish OF
the MAJORS: the women-except Ma
rion, who took what the men took
used claret sparingly. Coffee was
served where they sat; the men smok-
Ing, Agatha and Marion producing
their own cigarettes.
Good people. II you are ready we
Will 20 through the ceremony Of cut |