Arizona republican., 1912-02-23
66e VICTORY
By PETER CLARK MACFARlANE. Copyright, 1910, by the Pearson
 Publishing Col


 claimed with a grin, "I didn't know you were engaged. I'll call later" A flush of shame came over Martin that one of his newly made friends should have caught him in what would look like mere brawl. He looked hes itatingly at Bolan on the floor and said breathing quickly. No. guess I was about through. l was going to say something more to BOlan before he went. but it can wait Sit down, Laf- ferty."
 Lafferty took the chair which Martin placed for him, while Bolan, jared into temporary submission. got upon his feet and made for the door Witt his hand on the knob, he turned anf said with a nasty snarl:
 We ain't done yet, John Martin, ard just remember, I'm onto you"
 While Lafferty treated the incident lightly, none of it was lost on the crafty Irishman.
 You have to use the strong arm on these fellows once in a while, to keep 'em in line, he said casually to John. as he laid cigar upon the desk and
 
 Yes" assented John reluctantly. Tt ain't my way, though" he added with honest candor. There's only one thing a man could have said to me that would have made me lose my tenn per like that"
 Yes assented Lafferty. and I know what that is. It certainly is hell the way they are talkin about you"
 They" and Martins eyes opened round with astonishment. "Talkin' what about me?'
 Why" said Laferty, as he gave his match an extinguishing f1irt. about you maxim little on the side out Of the settlement of the strike"
 There came a burning heat to the cheek of John Martin
 "Wha-what do you mean?" he gasped
 Larerty looked at Martin cannily. penetratingly, while a little. half mocking smile played around his lips
 You don't need 10 take it that way. Pard." he said. reassuringly. You didn't think you could keep it dark. did you? Why, the men ain't even blamin you. They say. Well the strikes lost anyhow He's done all he could for us. Everybody knows you're standin' out against the others on the Executive Committee that wants to call it of. They think you're maxim a little piece of money out of it. and they say. What if he is, Don't blame him, -"
 Wait, Wait" groaned Martin. weakly. You mean to say that the men-the strikers-the men that I've fought for and with-that have fol- lowed me through on this. they actually believe that I'm fghtin' for time to make a little money myself, betrayin' them. and the don't blame me?"
 "Oh,. some of 'em do,' admitted Laf- fert suavely. with a shrug of his shoul- ders and a deprecating sidewise nod know. It's just beginning to be talked But them that do know, they mostly take il that way
 The soul of Martin turned sick with in him, that the men for whom he had suffered so much could believe that he would see the cause of labor crucified in defeat, while he gambled for its garments by making for himself pal try fee of dollars through manipulat- ing the terms and times of surrender.
 Hard. ain't it?" asked Lafferty, pres ently
 Martin brushed back the hair from his brow.
 "Oh, don't know" he said. 'I SUD- pose it's what a man has got to expect when he makes other peoples fights Tor 'em, and it looks like things was goin' against 'em." That's what it is. Martin" an 'wered Lafferty sympathetically. Tt lin't no use. The men are right, too, Tn way. You might" Lafferty's tone had suddenly taken ,n a most ingratiatingly confidential | might as we'll make some | hing out of it. That's why I came | lere to see you this morning. You'll | excuse me if I lock the door, won't | Tou? I don't want to be interrupted | n what I've got to say" As he spoke Lafferty had moved to ] he door, softly turned the key in the | ock, and lowered once more over the | lesk. all. 1t seemed. without taking his .yes off the face of Martin. whose look If complete mystification deepened when Lafferty laid a package of cur ency upon the blotter before Martins ,aze in such a way that the little rub ,er-stamped figures upon the white ,aper band that encircled 1t showed plainly S5,000.
 End the strike before tomorrow oon and that moneys yours" breathed 4afferty softly.
 Ten minutes ago it would have been s much as Lafferty's life was worth o have made that tender. But now, fter Bolan-and after what Lafferty lad told him the men outside were aying, for 1t did not occur to him hat Lafferty might have lied-Martin nly eyed the money stolidly, thinking LOW far five thousand dollars would ake him and his little family from his scene of strife, and how much of eace and comfort it would buy them. Ilso he was thinking how incapable were his fellows of appreciating the ind of sacrifice he had been making or them. The contact of these two deas in his mind was like the ming Ing of gases that became explosive pon contact The storm seethed through his brain like a chariot of re. and passed out leaving his loy lty to the union burned to a cinder, 'hile he thought only of himself and f his immediate own
 At what Lafferty deemed the psyche. 1gical moment he laid a second mack |