Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-07-24

III could deltUer you from which
several bt ckS II somahodv shook
pOlt care to BID" .. 80. ond 7
said Plank bluntly. ~ wv
propose to put
II there. That is all had meant to
say to you, Mr.. Quarter. I'm not
averse to saying it here to you, and
do. There's no secrecy about 1t. Fig
ure it out for yourself how much stock
/ control and who let 1t 60. Settle
your family questions and put your
house in order, then invite me to call
and I'll do it. And l have an idea that
we are going to stand on our own legs
again and recover our self respect AID
our fighting capacity, and rather
think we'll stop this holdup business
and that our Intercounty friend VIII
let 60 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
lev reticence. All hell might be boil
ing below.
When anybody gave Quarter let
ter to read he took long time reading
IT. 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 photograph or
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
If Plank had spoken the truth ana
there was no reason to doubt it-IlanK
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
vet: not for minute or two. There
was time enough to see through that
withered, pink and white old fraud.
But why had Plank done this! 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 ana
without emotion:
Everybody concerned will be glad
to see Amalgamated Electric declaring
dividends. This is shock to u.s." he
glanced impassively at the shrunken
major, "but pleasant shock. l think
It we'll to arrange a meeting as soon
as possible"
Tomorrow" said Plank, with a
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, 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 20 in farm fashion. Wait!'
as Plank, following the major and
Quarter, stood aside for her to pass.
"No. you go ahead, Howard, and you,"
to the major.
Left for a moment in the room with
Plank, she stood listening to the others
descending the stairs, then:
"Have you seen Mr.. Siward"
EYES," said Plank.
ooh! Is he wellT'
"Not very"
'Is he we'll enough to read letter
and to answer one?"
"Oh, yes; he's well enough In that
way"
81 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
hunter?
"No. If | make up my mind that i
want the horse III write him-per-
haps."
Lingering still, she let one hand fall
on the banisters, turning back toward
Plank. who was following.
~ understood you to mean that
that Mr.. Siward's financial affairs were
anything but satisfactory -the sweet,
trailing upward infection making 1t
a question.
"When did l say that?" demanded
Plank.
"Once-a month ago."
81 didn't" said Plank bluntly.
sob, had inferred 1t, then, from
something you said or something you
were silent about. Is that it?'
81 don't know"
"Am quite wrong thenT she asked,
looking him in the eyes.
And Plank, who never lied, found no
answer. Considering him for mo-
ment in silence. she turned again ana
descended the stairs.
The dinner was one OF those tnor-
oughly well chosen dinners or rev
courses and faultless service suitable
for card PLAYERS. who neither care 10