The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-09-08

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CHAPTER XYI.-(Continued.l

dark hall, referred to his watch again.
Shall we go in?" he asked.
The lawyer dropped the knob Of the
door and drew back out of the way.
ITS too bad it's glass;" said Saxton,
setting his shoulder against the wooden
frame over the lock. The lock held but
the door bent away from it. He braced
his feet and drove his shoulder harder
into the corner, at the same time press
ing his hip against the lock. 1t refused
to yield, but the glass cracked, and final
ly half of it fell with crash to the floor
within.
Don't hurry yourselves, gentlemen"
said Fenton, coolly, speaking through the
thrust his hand In to the catch and open
ed the door.
why, it's only Fenton," called Mar
grave in pleasant home to his as
sociates, who had effected their exits safe
ly into rear ROOM
ITS only Fenton," continued the law
yer, stepping inside, "but I'll have to
trouble you to wait few minutes"
"Oh, the meetings adjourned, If that's
what you want" said Margrave.
THAT won't so down." said Fenton,
placing his package on the table. You're
old enough to know, Margrave, that one
man can't hold stockholders meeting
behind locked DOORS"
THE meeting was held regular, at the
hour and place advertised" said Mar
grave, with dignity. "a majority Of the
stockholders were represented"
by you, l suppose" said Fenton, who
had walked into the room followed by
Saxton.
"By me-" said Margrave.
"How many shares have your asked
the lawyer.
Il suppose you think I'm working a
bluff, but I've really got the stuff this
time. To be real decent with you don't
mind telling you that I've got exactly
twenty-five hundred and ninety-seven
shares of this stock. guess that's
majority all right. Now one good turn
deserves another; how much has Porter
got? / don't care, but I'd just like to
know" He stood by the table and osten-
tatiously played with his certificates to
make Fenton's humiliation all the keener
Margrave's associates stood at the back
of the room and watched him admiring-
ly. Fenton's bundle still lay on the ta-
bic, and Saxton stood with his hands in
his pockets watching events. There had
been no chance for him to explain to Fem
ton his reasons for seeking the Offices Of
the Traction Company and it had pleased
Margrave to ignore his presence; Fenton
paid no further attention to him. He
wondered at Fenton's forbearance, and
expected the lawyer to demolish Mar
grave, but Fenton said:
"You are quite right, Marrave.
hold for Mr.. Porter exactly twenty-three
hundred and fifty shares"
Margrave nodded patronizingly.
Just little under the mark"
"You may make that twenty-four hun
dred even," said Saxton, "if 1t will do
you good"
I'm still shy" said Fenton. "Our
friend clearly has the advantage"
"I suppose If you'd known how near
you'd come, you'd have hustled pretty
hard for the Others" said Margrave, syb-
pathetically.
"Oh, l don't know !" said Fenton, with
the taunting infection which gives slang
to the phrase. He did not seem greatly
disturbed. Saxton expected him to try to
make terms; but the lawyer yawned In
a preoccupled way, before he said:
$50 long as the margins so small, you'd
better be decent and hold your stockhold-
ers' meeting according to law and let us
in. I'm sure Mr.. Saxton and would be
of great assistance-wise counsel and all
that"
you're pretty good fellow, Fenton.
and I'm sorry we can't do business to-
gether."
"Oh, well, If you won't, you won't"
Fenton took up his bundle and turned to
the door.
II suppose you've got large chunks Of
Traction bonds, too, Margrave. There's
nothing like going in deep in these
things"
1--WE been hearing for four years that
Traction bondholders We're going to tear
up the earth, but l guess those old frosts
down In New England won't foreclose on
me. I'll pay 'em their interest as soon as
I get to going. And say!" he calculated.
suddenly, "if Porter's got any of those
bonds don't you get gay with 'em. It's a
big thing for the town to have a practical
railroad man like me running the street
car lines; and II can't make 'em nav
nobody can"
You're not conceited or anything, are
you. Margrave?"
by the way, young man." said Mar
grave, addressing Saxton for the 6rst
time, I'VE won't charge you anything for
breakage to-day, but don't let 1t happen
again."
Margrave fingered to reassure and In.
struct his associates as to the adjourned
meeting, and Saxton went out with Fen
ton.
THAT was rather tame" said John. as
he and Fenton reached the street togeth.
er. II hoped there would be some fun
These shares belong to a Boston friend
aud they're for sale"
II wonder how Porter came to miss
lhem," said Fenton, grimly. You'd bet
ter keep them as souvenirs of the occa-
sion. The engraving isn't bad. turn up
this way" They paused at the corner.
He still carried his bundle and he drew
from his pocket now a number of docu-
ments in manila jackets.
II have a little errand at the Federal
Court The fact is, that Mr.. Porter owns