The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-04-18

blamed panic set In, and all the time
some Of those ideas you'd given me
we're getting ready to sprout. Well,
they sprouted this morning, that's all.
| knew | wanted to ride in the hills
with you just about thirty million
times more than | wanted to go to the
office. And | knew all the time 1t
was impossible. And why? Because
of the Office. The office wouldn't let
me. And then ! made up my mind
that was to the dividing of the ways.
way led to Berkeley. And / took the
Berkeley road. I'm never going to
set foot in the Office again. That's all
gone, finished, over and done with,
and I'm letting 1t slide clean to smash
and then some. I'm wiping the slate
clean. I'm letting it all go smash.
When them thirty million dollars
stood up to my face and said | couldn't
go out with you in the hills today, !
knew the time had come for me TO put
my foot down. And I'm putting it
down. I've got you, and my strength
to work for you, and that little ranch
In Sonoma. That's all | want. and
that's all I'm going to SAY out, along
with Bob and Wolf, a suit case and a
hundred and forty hair brides. All
the rest goes, and good radiance. It's
that much junk"
A knock at the door interrupted
him, and he was left to stare delight
eddy at the Crouched Venus and on
around the room at Dede's dainty pos
sessions, while she answered the tele-
phone.
1T is Mr.. Hogan" she said, on re-
turning. "He is holding the line. He
says 1t Is important"
Daylight shook his head and smiled.
please tell Mr.. Hogan to hang up.
I'm done with the office and | don't
want to hear anything about any
thing"
A minute later she was back again.
HE refuses to hang up. He told
me to tell you that Unwin is In the
Office now, waiting TO see you, and
Harrison, too. Mr.. Hogan said that
Grimshaw and Hodgkins are In trouble.
That 1t looks as II they are going to
break. And he said something about
protection"
1t was startling information. Both
Unwin and Harrison represented big
banking corporations, and Daylight
knew that II the house of Grimshaw
and Hodgkins went II would precipi.
tate a number of failures and start a
furry of serious dimensions. But Day
light smiled, and shook his head.
He caught her by the hand and drew
her to him.
"You let Hogan hang on to that line
till he's tired. We can't be wasting
a second on him on a day like this"
"But I know something of the fight
you have been making" Dede con.
tended. "If you stop now. all the work
you have done. everything, will be de-
stroyed. You have no right to do IL
You can't do It,"
Daylight was obdurate. He shook
his head and smiled tantalizingly.
Nothing will be destroyed. Dede,
nothing. You don't understand this
business game. It's done on paper
All | stand for Is paper. I've got the
paper for thousands of acres of land
All right. Burn up the paper, and
burn me along with 1t. The land re
mains, don't 1t? Nothing is going to
be lost-not one pile out Of the docks
not one railroad spike. not n ounce
of steam out OF the gauge Of a ferry
boat. The cars will go on running
whether | hold the paper or somebody
else holds It,"
BY this time Hogan had arrived In
an automobile. The honk of 1t came
In through the open window, and they
saw 1t stop alongside the big red ma
chine. In the car were Unwin anC
Harrison. while Jones sat with the
chauffeur.
"I1l see Hogan" Daylight told Dede
There's no need for the rest. They
can wait In the machine"
els he drunk?" Hogan whispered Il
Dede at the door.
She shook her head and showed HIN
In.
Good morning, Larry" was Day
lights greeting. "Sit down and res
your feet. You sure seem to be In {
1utter." 4
Il am" the little Irishman snapped
back. "Grimshaw and Hodgkins are
going to smash II something ISM
done quick. Why didn't you come Il
the ONCE? What are you going to d.
about it?"
Nothing" Daylight drawled lazily
Except let them smash, ! guess. I've
had no dealings with Grimshaw ant
Hodgkins. don't owe them anything
Besides. I'm going to smash myself
Look here. Larry. you know me. 70,
know when I make up my mind
mean It. Well. I've sure made up m,
mind. I'm tired Of the whole game
I'm letting go of 1t rs fast as l can
and a smash Is the quickest way to ie
go. All you've got to DO n to protec
yourself and all our friends. Now yol
listen to me while ] tell you what 4
do. Everything Is in good shape =
do Il. Nobody must get hurt Every
body that stood by me must come
through without damage. All the bacl