The Alaska citizen., 1910-12-05

can without nm. as you are prob ably willing 10 admit by now. But he still wants you. Go and sec Stone"
 "On-what-terms-will the Con solidated now absorb the Bright Hght?" demanded Bobby sternly.
 Well" drawled Sharpe. with a complete change of manner. the property has deteriorated conside r. ably within a remarkably short space of time. but l should say that we would buy the Brightlight for three hundred thousand dollars in stock of the Consolidated. half pre-. ferred and half common"
 And Is this your very best of, fer?"
 The very best" replied Sharpe. making no attempt to conceal his eXultant grin.
 Not on your life," declared Bob by. I'm going to hold the Bright light intact. I'm going to fulfill the city contract at a loss. if it takes every cent l can scrape together, and then I'm going to enter politics myself. I'm going to drive Stone and his crowd out of this city. and We shall see if we cannot make a readiuStment of the illuminating business on my basis instead of his. Good-dav, MT Sharpe,"
 "Good-dav. sir" said Mir Sharpe, and this time he laughed aloud
 At the door he turned
 "Td like to call your attention. young man. to the fact that a great II have announced their intention of driving Mir. Stone and his associates out of this citv. You might compare hat with the fact that Mir. Stone and his friends are all here yet, and on top" and with that he with drew.
 ''If I may be so bold as to say SO." said MT Apperod worried to naleness bv this foolish-defance of SO great and good man, you have made very grave error. Mir. Bur nit very grave. indeed. II is sui cidal to defv Mir Sharpe, and throu"h him MT. Stone,"
 will you shut up'" snarled John son 10 his ancient work.mate MT 1urnit. have no right to take the 'IA'tl ". Dul l tll E'ilHS l') tDIlEl dl u- late you. sir. Whatever fOllies inev- nerience may have led you to com nit, you are. at any rate, sir a man. like your father was before vou," and hv way of emphasis John son smaeked his fist on his desk as he glared in Mir. Applerod's direc- ton.
 IFS all very well to show fight. I0hnson." said Bobby. a little wan lv. but just the same I have to acknowledge defeat. I am afraid l hoasted too much Chalmers. after considering the matter, positively refuses 10 bring suit. The whole "ame is over. l have the Brightlight Company on my hands at a not dead loss of every cent have sunk into if, and it cannot pay me penny so long as these men remain in bower I am going to fight them with their own weapons. but that Is matter of years. In the mean 'tme my third attempt is a hideous failure. Where's the gray envelope, Johnson"
 'It is here" admitted Johnson. 9nd from his file took the miss've in cueerion
 As Bobby took the letter Agnes came into the office and swept to- ward him with outstretched hand
 Tt is perfectly shameful, Bobby. just read about it."
 50 soon?" he wanted to know.
 She carried a paper in her hand and spread it before him. In the very headline his fate was pronounc. cd. Brightlight Electric Tottering 10 It's Fall" was the cheerful line which confronted him, and beneath this was set forth the facts that every profitable contract heretofore .h"ld by the Brightlieht Electric had been taken away from that unfortu- nate concern, in which the equip ment was said to be so inefficient as 10 render decent service out of the question, and that, having only re- maining to it monev-lOsing con- tract for city lighting, business men were freely predicting its very sud aen dissolution. The item. wherein the headline took up more space than the news. wound up with the climax statement that Brightlight stock was being freely offered at around forty, with no takers.
 To her surprise. Bobby tossed the paper on Johnson's desk and laugh ed
 q have been so long prepared for this bit of news that it does not shock me much" he said; more over, the lower this stock goes the cheaper I can buy it."
 Buy it." she incredulously ex- claimed.
 Exactly" he stated calmly. q presume that. as heretofore, I'll be given another check, and I do not sec any better place to put the money than right here. I am going to fight!"
 Beg vour pardon. sir" said John son. Your last remark was spoken loud enough to he taken as general and I am compelled to give you this envelope"
 Into his hands Johnson placed a mate to the missive which Bobby had not vet opened, and this one was inscribed:
 TO MY SON ROBERT UPON HIS DECLARATION THAT HE WILL.
 TAKE TWO STARTS AT THE
 SAME BUSINESS.