Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-20

! propose 10 pu l it there. That is all I had meant tt say to you, Mir. Quarter. I'm no
 averse to saying it here to you, and ; do. There's no secrecy about it. Fig ! ure it out for yourself how much stock I control and who let it go. Settle
 your family questions and put youl
 house in order, then invite me to cal
 and I'll do it. And I have an idea that
 we are going to stand on our own legs
 again and recover our self respect and
 our fighting capacity, and I rather
 think we'll stop this holdup business
 and that our Intercounty friend will i let go the sand bag and pocket the jimmy and talk business across the line fence.''
 Quarrier's 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 a 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 a photograph of the letter which he would never forget
 And now, slowly, minutely, method. ically, be 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-and there was no reason to doubt it-Plank had quietly acquired controlling in. terest in Amalgamated Electric. That meant treachery in somebody. Whoi Probably Siward. perhaps 3elwether 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 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 and without emotion:
 Everybody concerned will be glad to see Amalgamated Electric declaring dividends. This is a shock to us," he glanced impassively at the shrunken major. but pleasant shock. I think 1t we'll to arrange a meeting as soon as possible"
 Tomorrow" said Plank, with q manner of closing discussion. Ard in his brusque ending of the matter Quarrier detected the ringing under. tone Of m authority he never had and never would endure. If Plank suspect ed him. he must also suspect him of cOmplicity in the lntercOUnty 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 QuarrIer sat there meditating hIs long white fingers caressing his soft. pointed beard. Sylvia came in, greeting the men collectively with a nod and offering her hand to Plank.
 Dinner is announced" she said. Please go in Sarm fashion. waitr' as Plank. following the major and Quarrier. stood aside for her to pass. :'So. you go ahead. Howard, and you" to the major.
 Left for a moment in the room with Plank. she stood listening to the others the stairs, then:
 Have you seen Mir. SiwardT"
 Yes" said Plank.
 ''Oh: Is he wellT'
 Not very"
 "Is he well enough 10 read a letter and to answer oneT'
 "Oh. yes: he's well enough in that way.
 T supposed so. That is why I said to you. over the wire. not to trouble him with my request"
 You mean that am not to say about your offer to buy the hunterE-
 No If make up my mind that I 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.
 T understood yOu to mean that that Mir Sivsrd-s financial affairs were anything but satisfsctoryY'-tbe sweet. trailing upward infection making it l. question
 When did I say thaty- demanded Plank
 -0nee-s month sea-
 T di1a-t- saf1 F'zEx bIHntIy.
 aOh. I had inferred ii. then. from rouething you said or something you nere silent about Is that Isy-