Willmar tribune., 1910-01-05


ter in the way Of gratifying their de-
sires. Sylvester, too, would he bene-
fitted in whatever business career he
should take up. and the mem bership
would enable him to meet and make
his personal friends the most prolnl.
nent men Of the city THE men he nat
urally craved to associate with-on
terms OF equality. Then he spoke:
Really. judge.' he said warmly,
that's something that | never expect
ed to hear from your lips
Not at all; not at all: Shall be
delighted to put you up, and Dupuy
will second me.'
:, with pleasure" bowed the lawyer.
Nolan hesitated over his final reply.
He remembered what Brand had stat
ed regarding the attentions OF Judge
Bartelmy and his daughter. Probably
this offer was I; trick. Il bribe. anu it
did not improve the situation to have
Dupuy brought into it by the jurist as
seconder OF his nomination. Still, the
idea came into his head-if he accept
ed it he did it with his eyes open; be
need not necessarily change the pol
icy of the Advance toward certain pub
lie men. Thus he reasoned, and still
there fingered within him an insidiuuS
:desire. even Il prompting, in view OF
'the advantages for himself and his
family. to accept at all hazards. under
any circumstances.
!: 'Thank YOU, gentlemen. thank you,"
he said. temporizing, in au endeavor to
gain time before actually committing
shimself. He glanced across the room
at Wheeler Brand. wondering how he
was accepting the situation. Brand
took quick step forward. straight
ened himself stift1y and shot glance
of warning over the shoulder Of Bar
telmy. whose back was turned to him.
Nolan nodded his head slightly to show
that he understood. Dupuy caught the
interchange of signals, and he gared
Indignantly ut the young managing
editor: He saw that Brand would do
his utmost to swing Nolan away from
the subtle snare. Nolan addressed the
judge. I'LL think it overland thank
you once more"
q Bartelmy and Dupuy started toward
a door.
Nov. if you will excuse US, Dupuy
and will join the ladies'" said the
jurist. "WheeIer, you're not going
away yet. eh:" be added.
( Brand moved toward the hall door
and ignored the query.
"What's your hurry. Wheeler?" ask
ed Nolan as Bartelmy and Dupuy dis
appeared.
"Oh. it's time to get back to the Of
,fice''
= Him: What's the trouble:'
u w. "fW'hat's the Use OF talking about ii ?"
**E:"Come. get it off your chest
81 don't have to tell you. Mr.. Nolan"
He drew closer to bis employer.
You think Mike Nolan is going back
on you-isn't that it,
The young mans voice rang out in
his deep disappointment that Nolan
was lingering on the verge OF an ac-
ceptance Of Bartelmy's offer, which
could mean only two things if his en-
ployer yielded, and these were the muz-
zling of the Advance and the siIencing
of Brand as long as he remained on
the paper. He blamed Nolan bitterly
for failing to spurn the offer outright
on the moment
DO you think you can accept favors
from Bartelmy with one hand" be
cried. land knife him with the other:''
Nolan gave Il spirited but kindly re-
ply:
Hold your horses. Wheeler. You
know l don't care anything about this
social stunt for myself. 1t don't tit
into my life. but remember I've got
family, and nothing comes ahead of
them. Mother and l may have a jan
gle now and then; but. after all, we
have been side partners for good
many years. And my girl: There amt
a finer educated or prettier girl in
New York. and she ought to he able to
go anywhere. but she can't in this
town--thiS cold mans town. Then, of
course, there's Sylvester. | know he
amt as bright as he might be. and I've
spent-weIi. more than twice your SAL
ary trying to get him through fresh
man year ut Harvard, and l couldn't,
but still he's my son. and if he wants
to run arc Ind with these other sports,
why not? | can afford it. and l guess
the kids got to SOW his wild oats any
way. My wife and children ought to
be happy with the money I've got. and.
as figure it. if join this Oak Door
club l can help them to get what they
want. Do you follow me, Brandt
Eyes; l understand. sighed Brand.
"At first YOU took up the side of the
people. and you are continuing ut it.
But you and your family have become
ambitious. or. at least. so far as you
are concerned, you are ambitious for
them. When you begin to associate
Familiarity with rich men as their friend
you'll soon find yourself playing golf
or billiards with one. drinking whisky
with another, and your son will marry
the daughter of a third. You will for
get all about the people. Your paper
will become decadent and feeble. The
will dry up" He paused
for breath and added warningly in
strong tones, THE Advance is now at
its zenith, but it's decline begins the
very day that you are elected to the
Oak Door club"
Nolan reached over and seized Brand
by the shoulder.
wheeler. you're a decent sort of a
fellow. l like you and the things