Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-03-13


terms of the escrow could not be mis-
taken.
The powerful hand Of Thomas b.
Wood. resting on his written resigna-
tion, clenched. II will not consent to
an escrow" he repeated,
Randolph Mason thrust across the
table the paper which he had made
out. Sign that" he said.
The man took the memorandum, afs
fixed his signature and laid it on the
letter of resignation under his
clenched hand. His face darkened. Il
trust" he said, that my words are in
telligible. l have twice said that I
would not consent to an escrow"
There shall be no escrow" said
Randolph Mason.
The attorney for John A. Garnett
leaned forward in his chair. How
then" he said, SIS Mr.. Wood TO obtain
this assignment"
II shall give It to him." replied Ran
dolph Mason. Then he picked MP the
assignment and handed II to the Unit
ed States marshal. Take this" he
said, "and leave on the table the pa
pers under your hand"
The shadows in the resolute face
Of Thomas B. Wood vanished. He got
up, put the assignment into his pocket,
buttoned his great coat, took up his
driving gloves from the table, babe US
good-evening and went out OF the
room, down the stairway to his horses.
I came back wonderingly to Ran
dolph Mason. His boast that he would
be here to prevent the ruin Of Garnett
was idle. He rather had speeded that
ruin. The attorney regarded him with
cold serenity
Have you in lact," he asked, "any
interest in the success Of John A. Gar
nett?"
II have not" he said. Then he con-
tinued, ike one explaining briefly to
an annoying query. II am interested
only In removing this man from his Of
fee, in correcting thereby the wrong
of his appointment
"Ah," said the attorney. II under
from under us the only possible foot
hold against this man-that of an es.
crow. With Wood once out of Office.
the delivery VI this paper might have
been enjoined."
Sir" replied Mason, "your purposed
flimsy trick was patent even to Wood"
Perhaps" said the attorney, but
in shipwreck no plank can be al
lowed to pass. You had no right to
come into this affair, II you had no
regard for Mr.. Garnett's peril"
Since | came into the affair" re-
piled Randolph Mason, MIR. Garnett
has never been in peril"
This conversation with Its last ems
igmatic answer Of Randolph Mason
was interrupted by the abrupt en-
trance of Margaret Garnet.
She spoke to Randolph Mason, ig-
noring the rest of us as though we
were interminably distant
| you, even YOU" she said, could
not defeat him. He got what he want
ed in spite of you"
|
ly. ironic interest.
Thomas b. Wood" he replied, has
got nothing"
"Nothlng!" she repeated. do you
call control of my fathers railroads
nothing? control Of millions moth
ing? a seat in the United States SEN
ate nothing? And what have you TAX
en- from him for It? indeed, what have
you taken! A paltry federal office!"
II have taken," replied Randolph Ma
son, "the little that he had, and l have
given nothing" Then he added as
though likewise In explanation to the
rest Of us, "In the removal OF this
man from his Office 1t was not my in
tention that he should obtain any ben
eft from John A. Garnett."
Then" she cried, you have
failed"
II have not failed" replied Ran
dolph Mason, speaking with cold pre-
cision. This assignment of stock
was delivered to Thomas B. Wood In
consideration of the resignation Of his
office. Such contracts are void as
against public policy. The Consol-
idated Fuel Railroads will refuse to
recognize the validity of this agree
ment, and 1t cannot be enforced In
the courts. 1t cannot avail this man
that the paper is in legal form and
recites another and valid considera-
ton, when the moving consideration
was in fact the resignation OF fed
eral Office"
The atmosphere Of Victory rising
about John A. Garrett was less Inn
pressive than that atmosphere of dis
aster fallen thus swiftly on his daugh-
ter. The wondrous vitality of her fig
ure vanished; the light fed from the
silver, the blood from the porcelain.
Then, as by some masterful effort,
going to the very springs OF life, It
all splendidly returned. She looked
steadily at Randolph Mason, her eyes
two lines Of light.
II repeat It," she said slowly, you
have failed. This man shall receive
everything that he expected to re-