The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1909-08-21

He applied a match to his dead
cigar and thoughtfully eyed his son.
And there is a good Joke on me,
weaving in and out OF all this. ! reg
ularly invested half my allowance in
buying shares in my sons company, TO /
. insure my old age. II Jared me when
I read the truth last night. ! hate to
be outwitted. Henry. sit down; you
make me nervous"
We'll. what are you going to do
asked the son. AS he faced his IA
ther there was something lion-like in
his expression.
sit down. my son. and | will tell
you" answered the old man. quietly.
He knew that his son was fighter,
and that to win he would have to
strike quick and hard
Cavenaugh flung himself into his
chair At that moment he did not
know which he hated the most, his
father or Darlington.
First. you will write out that
check for fifty thousand"
"Blackmail,"
Nothing of the sort. For 20 years
you have kept your heel on my neck,
| could do nothing; opportunities
came and dared not grasp them: my
genuine ability was allowed to rust.
II is simply compensation. Blackmail?
l think not could easily force a mil
lion from you. But | am and have
been for years an honest man. And
heaven knows how we'll | have paid
for my early transgression," bitterly.
This hour is mine. and l propose TO
use IT."
What guaranty have Of your
good faith" fiercely.
my word" calmly. Il have never
| yet broken It"
Darlington gazed longingly toward
/ the door. 1t was horribly embarrass-
| ing. He began to realize that kate's
/ father would hate him bitterly indeed,
and that his own happiness looked
very remote.
Cavenaugh turned to his desk. filled
out the blank and passed 1t to his IA
| ther. who. with scarcely a glance at
| II, passed it back with negative
| shake OF the head.
! The official certifying stamp lies
on your desk: use it,
There was no getting around this
| keen-eyed old man He knew every
I point in the game.
You will live to regret this" said
I Cavenaugh. his eyes sparkling with
venom
Il have many things to regret; prin-
/ cipally that fate made me father"
! The old man passed the check over
to Darlington. You're lawyer; does
| that look legal TO your"
Darlington signified that It did.
Now. then. Henry. you will write
down on official paper your resigna-
ton as president and director OF the
General Trust Company Of America.
You will give orders for the restitu-
ton of the millions that were fraudu-
lently added to your capital. am
not the least interested in what man
ner the restitutions are made. SO long
as they are made. l am now repre-
senting the investors. AS for your
partners, 1t will be easy for you to i'm
press them with the necessity OF the
action"
And II refuse?"
Nothing less than the attorney
general l intend to make this bust
Cavenaush turned again to his desk
He knew his father even as his father
knew him. He wrote hurriedly, the
pen sputtering angrily.
What else?" with a cold fury
| Again the old man gave Darlington
| the paper.
1T is perfectly intelligible," he said.
| He began to feel bit sorry for Cave
naugh. junior
Now, those papers," said Cave
naugh. sharply.
Il believe they belong to me-" IN
| terposed Darlington.
Grandpa smiled. 1T all depends
! Il could easily force you,' sugges-
lively.
Grandpa smiled again. "Of that l
haven't the least doubt. OF course,
what have is only a copy?"
TT is the only copy in existence"
replied Darlington. anxiously. And
4 then a flush of shame mantled his
cheeks. Where was his legal cum
ming?
"Ah'" The ejaculation came from
! Cavenaugh. junior.
] lHeTe Is Dut one tnlnS more, SAID
grandpa, urbanely. Il am determined
that Kate shall be happy. She shall
marry Mr.. Darlington before the snow
flies. 1t is an excellent policy to keep
valuable secrets in the family"
Give your papers to the attorney
general. I'll see you all hanged before
I'll give my consent" Cavenaugh
roared out these words. His patience
had truly reached the limit OF en-
durance.
Softly, softly" murmured grandpa
Il mean it," con agitata.