Evening star., 1911-08-13

added suavcly "you know I'm not overanxious to SELL
When into your office it only with the hope
that | might establish friendly relations. That, I'm
glad to say, succeeded in doing. Your health, MIR.
Janney.'
General Bent refused to be disarned. "Ycs, know;
but friendship and business things. CONNER
ciay you in the attitude OF rival of the company
| represcnt-o course opuently, mot serious rival;
but who must logically be considered in plans.
We didn't like your building that smclter, and you
could have brought your at fair price to one OF our
plants in Colorado Springs.
"YcS; but that interfcred with my own plans, SAID
left "And I've had them long time.
"Its little late to talk about that, assented Bent
The plant IS there the mines are s there re-, and d.
Most of the gold send to market comes from the
Lone Tree. | haven't handled any ore below your
priceS-not yet"
There if possible the slightest accent the last
words; but Wray uttered them with a compa-
cency that failed to deceive. This young fool
threatening actually threatening, the mighty Smelling
TRUST 1t was 50 preposterous that General Bent
ally laughed, thing he seldom did below 23d-st or
when he talked business elsewhere.
MO- he said grimly @I'm glad that didn't
~ necessary. 1t would have been pity. See here,
Wray he leaned forward his face drawn IN decisive
lines, "lets get to the point We've both been lodging
it very consistently for month. You have prop
erty that may be useful to We've thought enough
about it at least to make few inquiries about the whole
situation-and about you. We could take that plant
under management and do little better than
you could don't think the location really warrants
it; for the big mine stop paying any day. and the
railroad facilities, you'll admit not OF the best. But
if YOU re willing to sell out at a. moderate f1gurc, we
might buy it. Or perhaps you d like to come IN with
and take stock in the company. We think good deal
OF your ability. There isn't any doubt that you could
make yourself useful to us if you chose.
Thanks, said Jeff with sip at his Scotch, and then
looked out of the window. He had caught the meaning
of General Bent casual remark about the railroad faci
ties
aOf course" Bent on, Il don't to show i'm
proper curiosity about your pns but II you will
ing to me in friendly spirit might reach an
agreement that would be profitable both to your COM
panies and to mine"
I'D rather think it interest than curiosity, said
Wray with smile. "But unfortunately haven't got
any plans further than to get all the ore can out OF
the Lone Tree and to kcepmy works busy. uSt now m
pretty happy the way things going I've screwed
the lid down. and I'm sitting it bcsides-with
eve peeled for the fellow with the driver
Cornelius Bent controlled his anger with difficulty.
His equality with Jeff guest Of Curtis Janney
Wray some advantages. The easy good nature with
which he faced the situation and his amused indifference
to the danger that threatened him put the burden of
proof on the General who the feelings of an
Emperor who has been ovaly poked IN the ribs by the
least of his subjects This was lese majesty! Wray
either fool or a mailman.
HAS 1t ever occurred to you, Nray, snapped Bent,
"that somebody might come along with an AK!
"Er-no | hadn't thought of that he replied
quietly
"Well, think it over. It's worth your while
is this declaration of war;
"Oh no, hastily; "mcrely movement for peace.
Wray took few puffs at his cigar and looked from
Janney to the General like a whom some great
truth had suddenly dawncd a had no idea he said
with sklfuy assumed expression OF wonder that the
Amalgamated desperately anxious as this
In drawing aside the curtain, he had still managed to
retain his tactical advantage Both the older men felt
it; Bent than )anncy because 1t was he who had
shown their hand while Wray cards were still unread:
The natural response tolerant amusement, and
both of them made it.
"Anxious" laughed Bent as the lion anxious when
the wolf comes prowling in his jungleo Success has