The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-08-18


The directors came in and sat about with
their hats on, and Wingate, the starch
manufacturer, who had seen Porter's doc
tor, pronounced the president very sick
man and suggested that Thompson, the
invalid vice president, ought to be noti-
fed. The others acquiesced, and they pre-
pared a telegram to Thompson at Phoe-
nix, suggesting his immediate return, If
possible.
Fenton spent the afternoon In court.
He intended to call at the Porters' on
his way home, and stopped at the bank
before going to his Office, thinking that
the banker might be there but the presi-
dents desk was closed.
How sick is Mr.. Porter?" he asked
Wheaton.
Hes pretty sick" said Wheaton.
'It's typhoid fever. l spoke to Miss Por-
ter over the telephone few minutes ago,
and she did not seem to be alarmed about
her father. He's very strong, you know"
But Fenton was not listening. "See
here, Wheaton," he said suddenly, do
you know anything about Porter's private
affairs?"
mot very much said Wheaton, guard
edly
II guess you don't and I guess nobody
does, worse luck You know how NOR
bidly secretive he is, and how he SHES
off from publicity suppose you do" he
went on little grimly. He did not like
Wheaton particularly. "Well, he has
some Traction stock-the annual meeting
is held tomorrow and he's got to be rep
resented"
HE never told me of it, said Whea-
ton, truthfully.
His shares are probably in his inside
pocket, or hid under the bed at home but
we've got to get them IL he has any, and
get them quick If he has his wits he'll
probably try and send word to me.
suppose couldn't see him II l went up"
Miss Porter telephoned me to come
on some business matter, she said and no
| doubt that's what it Is"
"Then 1 won't go just now, but I'll see
| you here as soon as you get down town.
I'll be at my office right after dinner"
He paused, celebrating. Fenton was a
careful man, who rose to emergencies.
"I'll come directly back here" said
Wheaton. mo doubt the papers you
want are in one Of Mr.. Porter's private
boxes"
"Can you get into it to-night?'
"Yes; it's In the vault where we keep
the account books, and there's no time
lock-"
Late in the afternoon Wheaton had
| been unusually busy with routine worA
and the directors had taken an hour of
his time. He had turned away from
Fenton to answer a message from Mar
grave, then he went toward the Trans
continental office with a feeling of fore
boding. As he crossed the threshold OF
the private office, the sight of Margrave's
! fat bulk squeezed into a chair that was
too small for him, impressed him un-
pleasantly he had come with mixed feel
ings, not knowing whether his friendly
relations with the railroader were to be
further emphasized, or whether Margrave
was about to make some demand of him
His doubts were quickly dispelled by
Margrave. who turned around fiercely as
the door closed.
"Sit down, Wheaton, he said. He was
breathing in the difficult choked manner
of fat men in their rage "Now, l want
you to tell me something; want you to
answer up fair and square. I've got to
come right down to brass tacks with you
and want you to tell me the truth. How
much Traction has Billy Porter got?"
81 don't know what right you've got
to ask me such a question:" Wheaton an.
swered, coldly.
"No right-no right" Margrave pant.
ed. "You miserable fool, what do you
know or mean by right or wrong either!
can take my medicine as well as the
next man. but when friend does me up
then throw up my hands. Why did you
tell me you knew what Porter was doing
and lead me to think"
"Mr. Margrave," said Wheaton, 81
didn't come here to be abused by you. II
I've done you any injury, I'm not aware
of It,"
81 guess that's right" said Margrave
ironically. what | want to know Ii
what you let me think Porter wasn't TAX
ing hold of Traction for? You knew
was going into it. l told you that with
the fool idea that you were a friend Of
mine. You told me the old man hat
stopped buying"
anu Wneu up DttTdytu COHl
dence," said Wheaton. II had no bust
ness tell you anything of the kind"
when you told me that" Margrav,
went on in bitter derision, shaking hi
finger in Wheaton's face-"when you tolt
me that you told me a lie, that's wha
you did, Jim Wheaton"
"You can't talk to me that way" sale
Wheaton. when told you that, I be
lieved It," and he added with a second,
hesitation, ~ still believe It,"
Don't lie any more to me about It.
can take my medicine as we'll as the mex
man, but"-swaying his big head bacl
and forth on his fat shoulders-"when {
man plays a trick on Tim Margrave,
want him to know when Margrave find
1t out. l never thought 1t of you, Jim
I've always treated you as white as
knew how; I've been glad to see you Ii
my house"
II don't know what you're driving at
but l want you to stop abusing me, n
said Wheaton, with more vigor of tone
than he had yet manifested. "I never
said word to you about Mr.. Porter In
connection with Traction that didn't
think true. The only mistake made was
In saying anything to you at all; but ]
thought you were friend of mine. II
| anybody's been deceived I'm tho opa u