Mower County transcript., 1908-05-27
have no such block Of stock to spare

u0VC ~ oOOAA jUAONfA VI 0SNSh " 0peA0
to you.'
You discriminate in the disposal
Of your stock, do you?' Norris sneered.
I'VE claim that right the governor
said quietly.
Yet you acknowledge the Clarion's
part as factor in your success?'
eyes, we do,' the governor as
sented, still self-contro1led; though
even where was could feel lightning
in the air.
"'Then what are your reasons for
denying us share Of the plum we've
helped you pick from the government
tree?' I fancied could see the blue
sparks swapping from Bevins' eyes
Gentlemen, my associates ~
knew something was going to break
loose then-'my associates, Mr.. Hunt
ington, Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Crccker,
with myself, have made compact
never to gamble, in stocks or in any
ether way; never to become connected
with men or enterprises that can pos
sibly jeopardize our great undertaking
You would gamble the hair off your
heads! You shall never gamble with
the Central Pacific Railroad stock so
long as we four, or any one of us,
hold controlling interest. That's ALL
In the instant of silence that followed
l heard him turn toward the door. The
others were breathing as hard as a
stage team.
Then the two partners tried to
temptations that would have made the
Devils layout on the high mountain
look like dime with a hole in it.
Perhaps you don't know that Nor
ris and I are planning to make you
United States SENATOR Bevins said in
sinuatingly as last hot shot.
"1'll be senator without any Of
your help!' the governor sent back at
them savagely. Gentlemen, your re.
quest il useless. You shall never have
10 chance to wreck the Central Pacific
railroad -
"I'd have given 4 chassez down the
kolden streets to have seen the two
faces that looked into the governors
Just then. It was Norris who spoke
first. Well send your road to--hades!'
But that isn't the name he gave the
place.
~ Yes, 4 Bevins said, with more pro;
family; well fight you till you haven't
rail or i rag to your back!' .,..5
III see you both dead in the poor
house first!' the governor shot back at
them and was gone.'
by George!" the judge exclaimed,
Morris and Bevins are doing pretty
well for their threat; but the gov
ernor's will come true first, or I'm nc
prophet"
please don't talk shop any more
Judge. The railroad will win, OF
course, even against such power as
the Clarion; for Gov. Stanford and his
company stand for destiny as well as
for their own success. Let's go into
the parlor and have some music Mrs
Harmon rose as she finished.
The judge pushed his chair back re
luctantly. 'She always separates folk:
just when they've spotted a goot
time," he grumbled amiably to the
| women on either side of him; an(
| with comprehensive glance at the
men, went on. However, I'll beat hel
on one point; I'll go bail for those thai
would rather stop in my den for {
smoke than serve out sentence in thu
parlor.' He rose and slid back thu
old-fashioned, glass-paneled, walnut
framed door, giving Esther an affec
tionate look as she passed through.
| Phineas was the only one who &C
cepted bail, and the smoke was short
Alfred was singing when the two mel
entered the parlor, and Esther saw tn,
malignant CLEAN Phineas sent the un
conscious singer.
By ruse that cost him some tim
to perfect, Mr.. Montague succeede,
in sequestering Esther In the bay win
dow. There he held her by an intermin
able story that would have been goo,
if it had not been diluted for time
sake. AS Alfred finished his song b,
noticed the two seated apart.
Esther saw his look and turned /,
more interested face to Mr.. Montague
heart and brain throbbing wildly Will
the old love she had thought dead O
safely asleep. Would she meet hin
often? How, oh, how should she b,
able to show him ever placid face
! Presently she rose and went for
ward to her hostess.
I'm sorry to go so early, Mrs. Har
mon; but Mrs. Snow insisted, even i
I didn't arrive till after the play began
fear it will be half over; yet there
supper-they'll have enough of me,
think"
She passed around the room with
gracious farewell for each guest, as
daughter might have done. And Al
fred, watching, acknowledged with
pang that Esther outshone his mos
ambitious dreams for his Stella of tn
long ago.
I Pausing before Amabel and Alfred
she made some bright, impersonal re
mark that included them both. bowed
| and, with smiling good d-bye, moye
On toward the hall door, where tn
Srrls I'LL y b