The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-13
By REX BEACH
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 Bloomington. I understood you to say New Orleans"
 ''My old man had whole string of banks Fraser ,averred hastily
 ''Ten me-ts MT. Emerson il? ?'' asked the girl.
 .'In enough to lick den of wild cats.''
 'He intended coming out to the yacht last night, but he disappointed us.''
 ..He's as busy as an ant hill. met him turning in just as came out for my constitutional"
 irWhere had he been all night?'' Her voice betrayed an interest that Fraser was quick to detect. He answered cannily:
 tsYou can search me! don't keep cases on him. As long as he does his work don't care where he goes at quitting time" He resolved that this girl should learn nothing from him.
 esThaEe seem to be very few white women in this place. she said after a pause.
 aOnly one, till you people came. Maybe yvm've crossed her railT'
 .'Mr. Emerson. told me about her. He seems quite fond of her" i 4'I've always said they'd make g swell looking pair
 s.one can hardly blame her for trying a@o catch h1m."
 "Oh, you can make book that she didn't start no Iovemak1ng. She ain't the kind to curl up in mans ear and whisper She don't have to, All she needs to do Is look natural. The men will Gau like ripe persimmons."
 'SThey have been together great deal, I suppose"
 ssEveTy heHx of the day, and the days Ire long, said Eraser cheerful1y. "But ! he ain't crippled. He could have walk ed away if he'd wanted to. It's a good thing he didn't, though, because she's done more to win this bet for us than we've dene ourselves"
 She's unusually pretty" the girl re- marked coldly.
 .cYes. and she's just as bright as she is good looking. But I don't care for blonds.'' Fraser gazed admiringly at the brown hair before him and rolled his eyes eloQuently. ssI'm strong for in me-
 She gathered up her wild flowers and rose, saying:
 -DS SOAI&.
 -11l go with you" He jumped to his feet with alacrity.
 saThank you. I prefer to walk alone" !" ADecIined with thanksy' he murmur- ed. .sI'd need ear muffs and mittens to handle her. I think I'll build me some bonfire and thaw out. She must own the mint.'' Ne
 At the upper cannery Mildred found Alton Clyde with the younger Berry girl She called him aside and talked earnestly with him for several min utes
 .eAll right" he said at length. "I'm glad to get out, of course. The rest is up to you"
 MiIdred's lips were white and her voice hard as she cried:
 sT am thoroughly sick of it all! have played the fool long enoughv'
 ssNow, look here," Clyde objected weakly you may be mistaken, and it doesn't look like quite the square thing to do.'' But she silenced him with an angry gesture.
 t.Leave that to me. I'm through with him.
 "All right Let's hunt up the gov ernor,' Together they went to the of flee in search of Wayne Wayland.
 A AdA1 4dtSL WACA SAy AC- joined Miss Berry she noticed that he seemed i'll at ease, gazing down, the bay with a worried. speculative look in his colorIess eyes.
 Boyd Emerson reused from his death like slumber late in the afternoon. still worn from his long strain and aching in every muscle. He was in wretched plight physically. but his heart was aglow with gladness. Big George was still at the trap, and the unceasing rumble from across the way told him 2 that the fish were still coming in. As he was finishing his breakfast watch man appeared in the doorway. There's launch at the dock with some people from above," he an- snounced.s ss1 ,stppped them, according to orders. but they want to see you"
 s'Show them to the ofice." Boyd rose and went into the other building, where a moment later he was confronted by Wayne Wayland and Willis Marsh The old man nodded to him shortly. Marsh began:
 ''We heard about your good fortune. MT. Wayland has come to look over your plant"
 'It is not for sale."
 1How many fish are you getting?"
 tsThat is my business He turned to MT. Wayland. q hardly expected to see you here. Haven't you insulted me enough?''
 'tJust a moment before you order me out. Pm stockholder in this com pany, and am within my rights"
 "fYou a stockholder? How much stock do you own? Where did you Rat it2''
 .s9a44 own a5,ooo shares outright MT WayIand tossed a packet of certif- cates upon the table. And I have options on all the stock you placed in Chicago. said you would hear from me when the time came"
 ''So you think the time has come to crush me, ehY' said Emerson. sWell,