Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-01-29

had acquired control or the property
| don't know what he means TO 90
with it. And, gentlemen, may ask
why you feel at liberty to come to me
instead of going to Mr.. NeergardT
"a desire to deal with one OF our
own kind, suppose" returned Dray.
fore bluntly And, for that matter,
he said, turning to the others, we
might have known that Captain Sell
wyn could have had no hand in and no
knowledge of such an underlined and
dirty
Harmon plucked him by the sleeve,
but Draymore shook him off, his little
piggish eyes sparkling.
What do | care?" he sneered, losing
his temper. Were in the clutches OF
Il vulgar, skinfiint Dutchman, and he'll
wiring us dry whether or not we curse
him out. Didn't tell you that Philip
-,oui--.yu- fIitu HUtuIIIS 40 Win 1t: II
he had. and | was wrong, our journey
here might as well have been made to
Neergard's Office, for any man who
will do such filthy thing
Zone moment, Draymore," cut in Sci
wyn, and his voice rang unpleasantly.
IF you are simply complaining be-
cause you have been Outwitted, go
ahead, but if you think there has been
any really dirty business in this mat
ter go to Mr.. Neergard. Otherwise, be-
ing his associate, shall not only de-
cline to listen, but also ask you to
leave my apartments"
Captain Selwyn is perfectly right"
observed Orchil coolly. "Do you Think,
Draymore, that it is very good taste
in you to come into mans place and
begin slanging and cursing Il member
of his firm for crooked work."
Besides" added Notify, "it's not
crooked; it's only contemplate" And
to Selwyn, who had been restlessly fac
ing first one, then another: ~"We came
it was the idea of several among us
to put the matter up to you, which
was rather foolish, because YOU couldn't
have engineered the thing and remain
ed what we know you to be. So"-
"Waitp' said Selwyn brusquely. 81
do not admit for one moment that there
is anything dishonorable in this deal,
nor do l accept your right to question
it from that standpoint, because l
personally have not chosen to engage
in matters of this-ah-descriptiOn, is
no reason for condemning the deal or
its method"
Every reasonp' said Orchil, laughing
cordially. Every reason, Captain Sell
wyn. Thank you; we know now exactly
where we stand. 1t was very good Of
you to let us come, and I'm sorry some
of us had the bad taste to show any
temper"
'He means me-" added Draymore,
Offering his hand; "goodby. Captain
Selwyn. l dare say we are up against
it hard"
Because we've got to buy in that
property or close up the Siowtha,"
added Notify, coming over to make his
adieus. "By the way, Seiwyn, you
ought to be one of us in the Siowitha."
Thank you, but isn't this rather an
awkward time to suggest it," said Sell
wyn good humoredly.
Fame burst into sonorous laugh and
wagged his neck, saying: "Not at all!
Not at all! Your reward for having
the decency to stay out of the deal is
81 f1 Tic 70
be squeezed into jelly by Mr.. Neer-
gard. Haw! Haww
And so, one by one, with formal or
informal but evidently friendly leave
taking, they went away. And Selwyn
followed them presently, walking until
he took the subway at Forty-second
street for his Office.
He went into his own Office, pocketed
his mail and still wearing hat and
gloves came out again just as Gerald
was leaving Neergards Office.
He walked leisurely into Neergard's
office and seated himself.
so you have committed the firm to
the Siowitha dealT he inquired coolly.
Neergard looked up and then past
him: mo, not the firm. You did not
seem to be interested in the scheme, so
went on without you. I'm swinging
it for my personal account"
as Mr.. Enroll in it?'
81 said that it was private matter"
replied Neergard, but his manner was
affable.
81 thought so; it appears to me like
a matter quite personal to you and
of you, Mr.. Neergard.
And, that being established, am now
ready to dissolve whatever very loose
ties have ever bound me in any esso-
citation with this company and your
self"
Neergard's close set black eyes shift
ed a point nearer to Selwyns. The
sweat on his nose glistened.
"Why do you do this?" he asked
slowly. HAS anybody offended you?
"Do you really wish to know"
Eyes, l certainly do, Captain Selwyn."
every we'll. It's because don't like
your business methods, l don't like
several other things that are happen
ing in this office. It's purely differ
ence of views, and that is enough ex-
PLANTATION, Mr.. Neergard."
II think our views may very easily
"You are wrong; they could not. /
ought to have known that when | came
back here. And now l have only to
thank you for receiving me, at my own
request, for n six months trial, and to
admit that I am not qualified to CO.
operate with this kind of a firm"
"That," said Neergard angrily
amounts to an Indictment Of the firm.
IF Won express Yourself in that manner