Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-09


he spent this summer in Kalvik and
not among the other stations to the
SOUTH"
THAT is cur business. Different
methods are required in different local
tiles"
'"Then you have no criticism to make
You uphold him." Boyd's indignation
was getting beyond control.
None whatever Your complaints
do not appeal to me. Even granting
your absurd assumption that Marsh
tried to put you out of the way, 1t
seems to me that you have more than
evened the score"
"How?"
He is still wearing bandages over
that knife thrust you gave him."
Emerson ieaped to his feet.
He knows 1 didn't do that-every-
body knows itr' he cried. He lied to
you"
I'VE won't discuss that" said Wayne
Wayland CURLY. What do you want
me to do?'
~ want you to end this persecution.
I want you to call him off"
'In other words, you want me to
save you"
Emerson swallowed. 81 suppose it
amounts to that. 1 want to be let
alone. I want a square deal"
well, 1 wont" Wayland's voice
hardened suddenly: his sound, white
teeth snapped together. You are get
ting exactly what you deserve. You be-
trayed me by spying upon me while
you broke bread in my house. I see
nothing reprehensible in Mr.. Marsh's
conduct. but even if I did I would
not censure him. Any measures are
justiiable against traitor"
Boyd Emerson's face went gray be
meath its coating Of tan, and his voice
threatened to break as he said:
II am no traitor. and you know 1t.
1 thought you a man of honor, and
came to you not for help, but for JUS
tice. But 1 see l was mistaken. I am
beginning to believe that Marsh acted
under your instructions from the
first
Believe what you choose"
"You think you've got me. but You
haven't. I'll beat you YET
You can't beat mo at anything"
Mr. Wayland's jaws were set like
iron.
Not this year perhaps. but next.
You and Marsh have whipped me this
time but the salmon will come again,
and I'll run my plant in spite of hell.'
Wayne Wayland made as if TO
speak. but Boyd went on unheeding:
you've taken 4 dislike to me. but
your conduct shows that you fear me.
You are afraid I'll succeed, and 1
will
Brave talk said the older man.
But you owe 100000. and your
stockholders will learn of your mis-
management"
Your persecution. you mean" cried
the other. Il can explain. They will
wait another year. I will raise more
money. and they will stand by me-"
Perhaps I know more about that
than you do
Emerson strobe toward the desk
menacingly, crying in a quivering
voice:
81 warn you to keep your hands off
them. Don't try any of your financial
trickery with me. or III
Wayne Wayland Ieaped from his
chair. his face purple and his eyes
flashing savagely.
Leave this yacht he Numbered.
Il vent allow you to insult me. I
won't stand your threats. I've got
you where I want you, and when the
time comes you'll know it. Now, get
out" He stretched forth a great
square hand and closed it so fiercely
that the fingers cracked. IN crush
you-like that
Boyd turned and strobe from the
cabin.
Half blinded with anger. he STUN
bled down the ladder to his launch
Back to the plant" he ordered, then
gazed with lowering brows and defiant
syes at the Grande Dame as she rest
ed swanlike and serene at her moor
ings. His anger against Mildred's IA
Their destroyed for the time all thought
of his disappointment at her own lack
of understanding and her cool accept
ance of his failure He saw only that
his affairs had reached a final climax
where he must bow to the inevitable
or-Big Georges parting words came
to him-strike one last blow in re-
prisal.
1t was the hour Of his darkest de-
spair-the real crisis in his life. There
are times when it rests with fate to
make strong man stronger or turn
him altogether to evil. Such a man
will not accept misfortune tamely. He
is the reverse of those who are good
through weakness. 1t is his nature to
sin strongly.
But the unexpected happened, and
Boyd's black mood vanished In amaze
ment at the sight which met his eyes.
MoOred to the fish dock was lighter
awash with a cargo that made him
stare and doubt his vision. he had
seen his scanty crew Of gill METERS re-
turn empty handed with the rising
sun, exhausted, disheartened, depleted
In numbers, yet there before him were
thousands Of salmon They wero