The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-03-29

in bis eyes. tive beenAwork-
ing like forty horses ever since this
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,
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 ONCE wouldn't let
me, And then l made up my mind
that was to the dividing OF the ways.
One way led to the ONCE. The other
way led to Berkeley And took the
Berkeley road. I'm never going to
set foot in the once again. That's all
gone. finished. over and done with.
and I'm letting It 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. ard 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 q
hundred end forty hair brides. ALI
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 teles
phone
1T is Mr.. Hogan. she said. on re-
turning He is holding the line. He
says u is important"
Daylight shook his head and smiled
Please tell Mr.. Hogan to hang up.
I'm done with the ONCE 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 Irwin is in the
ONCE now. whiting to see you. and
Harrison. too. Mr.. Hogan said that
Grtmshaw and Hodgkins are In trouble.
That 1t looks .s II they are going to
break. And he said something about
protection"
1t was startling information Both
Irwin and Harrison represented big
banking corporations, and Daylight
knew that II the house of Grimshaw
and Hodgkins went 1t would precipi-
tate q number OF failures and start q
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 Hegaa hang on TO that line
till he's tired We can't be wasting
second on him on a day like this"
But ! know something OF the fight
yor have been making" Dede con-
tended. II you sop now. all the work
You have done. everything, will be de-
stroyed. You have nc; right to do IL.
You can't DO IT,.
Daylight was cbdurate. 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 fer thousands Of acres Of land.
All right Burn up the paper. and
burn ms along with It. The land re-
mains, ion't 1T? Nothing Is going to
be lost mot one pile out OF the docks.
not one railroad spike. not one ounce
OF steam out of the gauge Of ferry
boat. The cars win go on running.
whether 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 Unwfn and
Harrison. while Jones sat with the
chauffeur.
-I'll see Hogan" Daylight told Dede.
There's no need for the rest. They
can wait In the machine
rs be drunk?' Hogan whispered to
Dede at the door,
She shook her head and showed him
in.
Good morning. Larry. was Day.
lights greeting. ''Sit down and rest
your feet. You sure seem to be in .
dutter"
Il am. the little Irishman snapped
back. -Grimshaw and Hodgkins are
going to smash II something isn't
done quick Why didn't you come to
the ONCE? What are yon 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
know when | make up my mind 1
mean It Well. I've sure made up my
mind. I'm tired Of the WHO'S game.
I'm letting go OF II as fast as ! can.
and a smash il the quickest way to let