The Clio messenger., 1912-01-26

Now they understood that this was
practically an abduction. They has
tened up to the scene of the struggle.
But the young man was not deferred.
He was obeying orders without ques-
ton. At that moment Thelismer
Thornton appeared in the corridor.
"Let the boy alone" he commanded,
thrusting himself among them.
The diversion gave Harlan his op-
portunity. Clutching Spinney with one
hand, he threw open the door and
pushed him in, followed him and closed
the door He locked it and stood with
his back against it, for fists began to
hammer at 1t.
Spinney looked around him and start
ed toward the door.
I've got witnesses to that assault,
and you're going to suffer for it," he
clustered. Harlan did not give way.
you can't leave here yet, Mr.. Spin
ney-not until General Weymouth fin
ishes his business with YOU"
The general had viewed Mr.. Spin
ney's headlong arrival with astonish-
ment. He stepped forward to the cen
ter of the room. There was a note in
his voice that quelled the man as
much as had Harlan's resolute de-
meanor at the door.
'Spinney, it will be better for you If
you listen"
The candidate turned to face him,
apprehensive and defiant at the same
time. The panels Of the door against
which Harlan leaned were Jared by
beating fists. Harl: heard the voice
Of his grandfather outside, calling to
him impatiently. A moment more and
Chairman P"esson added a more
wrathful admonition to open.
"Mr. Thornton. will you kindly in
form those people at the door that
this is my room and that I command
them to withdraw directed General
Weymouth.
Harlan flung the door open and filed
the space with the bulk of his body.
Both parties stood revealed to each
other. the young man dividing them
ald disdaining intrenchments.
"What kind of crazy headed, lum-
berjack performance are you perpe-
trating here?" demanded the elder
Thornton. You're not handling Ca
nucks today, you young hyenav'
This is scandal-a disgrace to
this convention thundered Presson.
He started to come in, but Harlan
barred the doorway.
do you want any of these gentle
men inside, general?" he asked.
Neither Mr.. Presson, nor Mr.. Thorn
ton, nor any Of the rest" declared
Weymouth. "And I want that dis
turbance at my door stopped"
You hear thatw cried the defender
Of the pass. "Now, Mr.. Presson, If
you intend to disgrace this conven-
tion by a riot, it's up to you to start
it. I'm keeping this door, and I'm
man enough for all the pot bellied poll
ticians you can crowd into this cor
ridor. And If there's any more ham,
mering here, I'll step out and show
you"
He slammed the door, locked ii, and
set his shoulders against the panels.
Luke, keep away" counseled The
lismer. THE boy is just plain lum-
berjack at the present moment, and
he's hard man in a scrap. We can't
afford to have a scene"
) Inside Spinney faced the general,
blinking, doubtful. sulen.
The old soldier knew how to attack.
He flung his accusation with fierce di-
rectness. "Spinney. you have sold out.
You're q traitor. And you're a thief
as well, for you've sold what didn't
belong to you. You solicited honest
men In the name of reform to put
their cause into your hands. 1t was
trust You've sold it."
"Ill prosecute you for slanderr' roar
ed the candidate. He hoped his def
ance would be heard by those outside.
The general shook papers at him.
last night, or, rather, this morning
at o'clock, to be exact, you met Luke
Presson and members OF the state
committee and for $1,000 paid to you
in hundred dollar bills you agreed to