Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-12-07

LldSerwood was not a profane man,
but what he said To Benson in the
coruscating minute or two which fol
lowed resolved itself into very fair
imitation " profanity. inclusive and
world emhraciug
And You didn't have wit enough TO
leave watchman ON the Job" he
chafed. by heavens, this thing has
got TO stop, Benson, And it's going to
stop II we have to call out the state
militia and picket every mile Of this
rotten railroadr'
DO IT," said Benson gruitly, "and
when It's done you notify me and III
come back to work" And with that
he trampcd out and was too angry to
remember to close the door.
Lidgerwood turned back to his desk
savagcly out Of humor with Benson
and with himself and raging iuwardly
at the mysterious thieves who were
footing the company as boldly MS an
invading army might At this the
most mauSpicious moment possible his
eve fell upon the calendar mrmoran.
dunn, "Scc Uallock about Rl.," and
his finger was on the chief clerks he'll
push before he remembered that It
was late and that there had been no
light in HalloCk's room when he had
come down the corridor to his own
door
The touch of the push button was
only a touch, and there was no an.
swcring skirl Of the bell In the ad.
joining room. But as II the intention
had evoked 1t Il shadow crossed behind
the superintendent chair and came
to rest at the end OF the roll top desk
Lidgerwood looked up with his eyes
aflamc. II was lIallock who was
standing at the desks end, and he
was pointing to the memorandum ON
the calendar pad.
you made that note three days
ago" he said abruptly. II saw your
train come in and your light 20 on
What bin of lading was II you want
ed to see me about?
For an instant Lidgerwood failed to
understand Then he saw that In ali.
hrcviatlng he had unconsciously used
WV Sikh 'iA Nit Nt"hiVi
Authorization OF bill OF lnding."
"Sit down." he raped out. THAT
isn't bill of lading;' it's building and
loan"
Hnllock dragged the one vacant
chair into the circle illuminated by the
shaded desk electric and sat on the
edge Of 1t, with his hands on his
knees. "Well?" he said In the grating
voice that was so curlously like Grid
ley's.
1--WE can cut out the details"-this
from the man who, under other con
ditions. would have gone diplomatical,
ly into the smallest details. ''Some
years ago you were the treasurer OF
the Mesa Building and Loan associa.
ton. When the association went out
of business its books showed n cash
balance in the treasury. What became
Of the money!
Hallock was silent for time, so long
a time that Lidgerwood burst out
impatiently, "Why don't you answer
meT
II was Just wondering II II Is worth
while for you to throw me overheard"
said the chief clerk, speaking slowly
and quite without heat. You are
needing friends pretty badly just now,
II you only knew 1t, Mr.. Lidgerwood."
The cool retort, as from an equal In
rank, added fresh fuel to the fire.
I'm not buying friends with conces-
sions to injustice and crooked deal
ing" Lidgerwood exploded. You were
In the railroad service when the money
was paid over to you. and you are In
the railroad service now. | want to
know where the money went"
ITS none of your business, Mr. Lid
gerwood"
"By heavens, I'm making II my
business, Hallock These men who
were robbed say that you are an en-
beZzler n thief If you are not you've
got to clear yourself II you are you
can't stay in the Red Butte service
another day; that's ALL"
Again there was silence surcharged
with electric possibilities. When Hal
lock spoke 1t was still without anger.
Il don't care n hang for your chief
clerkship," he said calmly. but for
reasons of my own | am not ready to
quit on such short notice. When ] am
ready you won't have To discharge me.
Upon what terms can stayf"
1--WE stated them" said the one who
was angry. discharge your trust
make good in dollars and cents or
show cause why you were caught with
al empty cash box"
"You seem to take 1t for granted
that was the only CRATER In the
building and loan business" the chief
clerk objected. II wasn't. On the con
trary. was only necessary cog In
the wheel. Somebody had TO make the
deductions from the payrolIs. and
I'm not asking you to make ex-
cuses." stormed Lidgcrwood I'm tell
Ing you that you've got TO make good!
II the money was used legitimately
you or some OF your fellow officers In