The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-08-17


for"
lars and the possible quarter Of a
million
She was in this state of feverish dis
tractedness when she went to Bill
Cannon's office.
Nothing could be more disarmingly
friendly than the old mans greeting.
What asked you to come here for
to-day was to talk about this matter,
TO talk further, to thresh 1t out some
more. I've seen Mrs. Ryan since our
last meeting. She doubles her offer
to you. She'll give you two hundred
thousand dollars to leave her son."
We'll, won't" said Berry, drawing
herself to the edge of the chair. "She
can keep her two hundred thousand
dollars"
Don't be in such a.hurry; I've not
finished yet. This is just between
you and me-" he went on slowly, his
voice lowered, dropped to the key Of
condolences. I'll give you another
hundred thousand. I'll put it with
Mrs. Ryan's pile, and it'll run your
fortune up we'll past a quarter Of a
million"
you think that I don't know why
you're Offering me this money. Well,
old man, | do. You want to get my
husband for your own daughter, Rose
Cannon"
1t was Cannon's turn to be speech
less. He had not for years received
so unexpected and violent blow. He
sat in the same attitude, not moving
or uttering a sound, and looking at
Berry with a pair of eyes that each
second grew colder and more steely.
Come" he said with sudden author
ity, 81 can't waste my time this way.
Are you going to take the money or
not?"
His manner, as II by magic, had
changed. Every suggestion of defer
ence or consideration had gone from
It.
will you take the money!"
"No!" she said loudly. Don't ask
me that again!"
"All right" he answered quietly,
that ends our business. Do you know
your way out, or shall / ring for Gran
ger TO see you 10 the dOOr!
: 1t was late, almost dark, that eve
ming when Cannon left his Office. AS
he walked .iown Montgomery Street
to the car, he pondered on Berry,
wonierngly and with a sort Of be-
grUdging. astonished admiration Of
courage that he could not but admire.
How she had found out about Rose
~ oip "
engaging that she should have done
so. It was the last, and most detest-
able fact in the whole disagreeable
business.
It was the first Of May. By the
mornings mail he had received a let
ter from Gene announcing, with the
playful blitheness which marked all
the young mans illusions TO the
transfer OF the Santa Trinidad ranch,
that the year OF probation was up and
he would shortly arrive in San Fran
cisco to claim his own.
Genes father had read this missive
IN grim-visaged silence. The sense
| OF self-approval that he might have
experienced was not his; he only felt
that he had been done" Two months
before, thinking that the ranch was
slipping too easily from his grasp, that
he was making too little effort to re-
tain his own, he had hired detective
to go to San Luis Obispo and watch
the career OF Gene for signs Of his old
waywardness. On the thirtieth OF
April the man had reported that
Genes course had been marked by an
abstinence as genuine and complete
as the most exacting father could
wish.
His mood was unusually black when
he entered the house. The servant.
who came forward to help him off
with his coat, knew 1t the moment he
saw the heavy, scowling face. The
piece Of intelligence the man had to
convey-that Mr.. Gene Cannon had ar
rived half an hour earlier from san
Luis Obispo-was not calculated 10
abate the Bonanza Kings irritation.
CONTINUED Monday