The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-08-09


WITH YOU
the payrolls, and I'd break even with
at least one man over in the Timan-
yoni if l had to use the whole Red
Butte Western to pry him looser'
"Flemister again?" queried the mas
ter mechanic. And then, in mild dep
recation: You are a bad loser, Hal
lock. But 1 suppose that is one Of
your limitations
A silence settled down upon the up
per room, but Gridley made no move
to go.
The corridor door opened, and the
night dispatcher's off trick man came
In with a message for Hallock.
Engine 2e6, Williams engineer and
Blackmar fireman, with service car
naught-one, Bradford conductor, will
leave Copah at 1901 a. IN. and run
special to Angels. By order of Howard
Lidgerwood, general superintendent"
Gridley's pivot chair righted itself
with snap. But he waited until the
of trick man was gone before he said:
''Lidgerwood! Well. by all the gods!"
Then, with q laugh that was more
than half a snarl, There is a chance
for you yet, Rankin"
"Why, do you know him?'
mo, but I know something about
him. I've got line on New York, the
same as you have. and l get hint
now and then. 1 knew that Lidger-
wood had been considered for the
place, but I was given to understand
that he would refuse the Job If it
we're offered to him"
"Why should he refuse?' demanded
Hallock.
THAT is where my wire Taper fell
down. He couldn't tell"
Then why do you say there is still
chance for me?
"Oh, on general principles, guess.
If it was an even break that he would
refuse it is still more likely that he
| won't stay after he has seen what he
is up against, don't you thinkT''
"What he'll need In the Red desert
| will be nerve and a good gun. If be
has the nerve he can buy the gun, "
said Hallock.
But, having the gun, he couldn't
| always be sure of buying the nerve,
Ell? l guess you are right, Rankin.
| OF course you will stay on with the
| new man-if he wants you to-"
Il don't know. This is my business
and none Of yours"
| It was q bid for the renewal Of the
| quarrel which was never more than
half yelled between these two But
Gridley did not lift the challenge.
LET it go at that" he said placably
But if you should decide to stay ]
want you to let up on Flemister"
I'D kill Flemister on sight If I had
the sand: you know that, Gridley
Some day it may come to that But in
the meantime
'In the meantime you have been
swapping at his heels like a fee dog
Hallock. holding out ore cars on him
delaying his coal supplies. stirring ur
trouble with his miners. That was al
right up to yesterday, but now It haf
got to stop"
| Not for any orders that you car
| give" retorted the CHIEF clerk, once
more opening the door for the quarrel
| Il am not going 10 cOiuc u uIo"s
| with you, Rankin-not II l can helI
It," he said. with his hand on the door
| knob. But what | have said will
have to 60 as 1t lies. Shoot Flemistel
out of hand. If you feel like it. but
quit hampering his business"
| "WhyT The single word shot on,
i of Hallock's loose Tipped mouth like
an explosive bullet
Gridley opened the door and turned
upon the threshold.
Il might borrow the word from you
| and say that Flemister's business and
mine are none of yours. But l won't
do that. I'll merely say that Flemistel
may need little Red Butte Western
nursing in the Ute valley irrigation
| scheme he is promoting, and | want
you to see that he gets It You CAM
| afford to fight me. Hallock. and you
know It Sleep on 1t q few hours and
you'll see 1t In that way, I'm SURE
Good night"