The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-05-14

cepted, I was In the Clarion office cor
recting proof for some company print
ing when | heard the two editors and
the governor enter the outer Office
They were in earnest conversation, but
1t never occurred to me to let them
know of my presence was only q
cog In the machine to them--till had
heard so much | had to keep still
"'And now we claim compensation,
Norris was saying as they entered.
But, gentlemen, your request Is
impossible the governor replied. we
have no such block Of stock to spare
to you
"'You discriminate in the disposa
Of your stock, do you? Norris sneered
1--WE claim that right, the governor
said quietly.
"'Yet you acknowledge the Clarion's
part as factor in your success?'
"'Yes, we do the governor as
sented, still self.controlled; though
even where | was | could feel lightning
in the air
"'Then what are your reasons fol-
denying us a 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'-l
knew something was going to break
loose then-'my associates, Mr.. Hunt
ington, Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Crocker
with myself, have made compact
never to gamble, in stocks or in any
other 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
heard him turn toward the door. The
others were breathing as hard as a
stage team.
Then the two partners tried to
bribe the governor with string Of
temptations that would have made the
Devils layout on the high mountain
look like dime with hole in it.
Perhaps you don't know that Nor
ris and | are planning to make you
United States senator Bevins said in.
sinuatingly as last hot shot.
"Ill be senator without any of
your help! the governor sent back at
them savagely. Gentlemen, your re.
quest is useless. You shall never have
a chance to wreck the Central Pacific
railroad
I'D have given a chassez down the
golden streets to have seen the two
faces that looked into the governors
just then. 1t was Norris who spoke
first. Well send your road to-hades!'
But that isn't the name he gave the
place.
Yes, Bevins said, with more pro
family; 'well fight you till you haven't
a rail or rag to your back!'
"'lll see you both dead in the poor
house first!' the governor shot back at
them and was gone"
bs NCol Sc tAC JuuSC ChSiliAASa'
Morris and Bevins are doing pretty
well for their threat; but the gov
ernor's will come true first, or I'm no
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 folks
just when they've spotted good
time" he grumbled amiably to the
women on either side of him; and
with comprehensive glance at the
men, went on. However, I'll beat her
on one point; I'll go bail for those that
would rather stop in my den for a
smoke than serve out sentence in the
parlor.' He rose and slid back the
old-fashioned, glass-paneled, walnut
framed door, giving Esther an affec-
tionate look as she passed through.
Phineas was the only one who ac-
cepted bail, and the smoke was short.
Alfred was singing when the two men
entered the parlor, and Esther saw the
malignant CLEAN Phineas sent the un-
conscious singer.
BY ruse that cost him some time
to perfect, Mr.. Montague succeeded
in sequestering Esther in the bay win
dow. There he held her by an intermin-
able story that would have been good
if it had not been diluted for times
sake. AS Alfred finished his song he
noticed the two seated apart.
Esther saw his look, and turned
more interested face to Mr. Montague,
heart and brain throbbing wildly with
the old love she had thought dead or
safely asleep. Would she meet him
often? How, oh, how should she be
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 II
| didn't arrive till after the play began.
| fear 1t will be half over; yet there's
supper-theyll have enough of me,
think"
She passed around the room with a
gracious farewell for each guest, as
daughter might have done And AL
fred, watching acknowledged with a
pang that Esther outshone his most
dreams for his Stella of the
long ago