Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-08-19

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 a very sick
man and suggested that Thompson, the
invalid vice president, ought to be noti-
fed. The others acquiesced and they pre-
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.
He's pretty sick said Wheaton.
Its typhoid fever. | spoke to Miss Por-
ter over the telephone a few minutes ago,
and she did not seem TO be alarmed about
her father. He's very strong, you know y
But Fenton was not listening. "See
here. Wheaton," he said, suddenly, do
you know anything about Porter's private
atfairs?"
Not very much said Whea ton, guard
edly.
II guess you don't and l guess nobody
does, worse luck You know how NOR
off from publicity suppose you do he
went on a 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 if he has any, and
get them quick. If he has his wits he'll
probably try and send word to me. |
suppose I couldn't see him if l went up.
Miss Porter telephoned me to come
on some business matter, she said, and no
doubt that's what it is
Then | won't go just now. but III see
you here as soon as you get down town.
III be at my office right after dinner
He paused, deliberating. Fenton was
careful man. who rose to emergencies.
I'll come directly back here said
Wheaton. 'No doubt the papers you
want are in one of Mr.. Porter's private
boxes"
"Can you get into it tonight"
"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 or
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
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 fercely as
the door closed.
"Sit down. Wheaton, he said. He was
breathing in the difficult choked manner
of fat men in their rage. Now, / want
YOU to tell me something; | want you to
answer up fair and square. I've got to
como right down to brass tacks with you
and I want you to tell me the truth. How
much Traction has Billy Porter got:'
'I don't know what right you've got
TO ask me such a question: Wheaton an
swered. coldly.
no rght-no right" Margrave pant
ed You miserable fool, what do you
know or mean by right or wrong either:
I can take my medicine as we'll 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 Whea ton. Il
didn't come here to be abused by you. If
I've done you any injury, I'm not aware
of it,
II guess that's right said Margrave,
ironically. what | want to know Is
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 friend OF
mine. You told me the old man had
stopped buying
And when I did I betrayed a conf
dence." said Wheaton. Il had no bust
ness tell you anything of the kind
when you told me that Margrave
went on in bitter derision, shaking his
finger in Wheaton's face-"when you told
me that you told me lie, that's what
YOU did. Jim Wheaton"
You can't talk to me that way" said
Wheaton. when l told you that, be-
lieved it," and he added, with a seconds s
hesitation. Il still believe it,"
Don't lie any more to me about It. l
can take my medicine as well as the next
man, but''-swaying his big head back
and forth on his fat shoulders-"when a
man plays a trick on Tim Margrave. |
want him to know when Margrave finds
it out. | never thought it of you, Jim.
I've always treated you as white as |
knew how; I've been glad to see you in
my house"
II don't know what you're driving at,
but l want you to stop abusing me,
said Wheaton, with more vigor of tone
than he had yet manifested. 81 never
said a word to you about Mr.. Porter in
connection with Traction that | didn't
think true The only mistake l made was
in saying anything to you at all; but
thought you were a friend of mine. If
anybody's been deceived, I'm the one
Let me ask you something. Haven't
L ol1 nlrg xx-hn