Gilpin observer., 1912-05-02

blamed panic set in, and all the time.
some of those ideas you'd given me
were getting ready to sprout. Well,
they sprouted this morning, that's all.
l knew l wanted to ride in the hills
with you just about thirty million
times more than wanted to go to the
Office. And l knew all the time 1t
was impossible. And why? Because
Of the Office. The office wouldn't let
me. And then I made up my mind
that l was to the dividing of the ways.
One way led to the office. The other
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 1t
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 save out, along
with Bob and Wolf, suit case and
hundred and forty hair brides. All
the rest goes, and good riddance. It's
that much junk"
A knock at the door interrupted
him, and he was left to stare delight
edly at the Crouched Venus and on
around the room at Dede's dainty pos
sessions, while she answered the tele-
phone.
1T is Mr. Hegan," 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 1t would precipi-
tate number of failures and start
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
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 1t.
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 it. The land re-
mains, don't It? Nothing is going to
be lost-not one pile out of the docks.
not one railroad spike. not one ounce
of steam out of the gauge OF a ferry
boat. The cars will go on running.
whether I hold the paper or somebody
| else holds It,"
By this time Hogan had arrived in
an automobile. The honk OF It came
in through the open window, and they
saw 1t stop alongside the big red ma
chine. In the. car were Unwin and
Harrison. while Jones sat with the
chauffeur
'I'll see Hegan." Daylight told Dede
There's no need for the rest. They
can wait in the machine
rs he drunk?" Hogan whispered to
Dede at the door.
She shook her head and showed him
Good morning. Larry" was Day.
lights greeting. "Sit down and rest
your feet. You sure seem to be In a
futter."
Il am" the little lrishman snapped
back. "Grimshaw and Hodgkins are
going to smash II something isn't
done quick. Why didn't you come to
the Office? What are you going to do
about it?"
Nothing" Daylight drawled lazily.
Except let them smash. guess. I've
had no dealings with Grimshaw and
Hodgkins. don't owe them anything.
Besides, I'm going to smash myself.
Look here. Larry. you know me. You
mean 1t. Well. rye sure made up my
mind. I'm tired of the whole game
I'm letting go of 1t us fast as ! can,
and smash is the quickest way to let
go. All you've got to do is to protect
yourself and all our friends. Now you
listen to me while l tell you what to
do. Everything is In good shape to
do It. Nobody must get hurt. Every.