Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-01

members demeanor. They talked ner
vosly and argued and emphatic angry, sullen,
their Municipalities They were in the midst OF
it when the doorman entered and announced, Mr..
Lester Ford Gentlemen. and strange hush succeeded
their subdued camor
Into the firmly with stiffy set head and cold,
determined eyes, the man known to those OF Port
Hatch as Lester
Gentlemen he said, bowling gravely from right to
left
As If by one impulse they stood to their feet, and the
reioubtable Thornton himself grown almost obse-
quous rendered him chair by his side at the head OF
the table.
Il was extremely sorry, Ford said without wasting
words greeting ito you the inconvenience OF
coming here Seattle hold this board meeting but
deemed best to do 50 for certain reasons OF my own
They bowed and waited for him as if for King.
All of know my distaste for directly interfering
with any OF nv business affairs he on "and that,
unlike my father have special desire to pile millions
on top Of millions Nor have that desire Let me
months ago you decided to make Seattle the
OF the road that l, with the assistance OF one
or Others have been financing the road that have
caused to be continued because my fathers pet
hobby and his hfe-hope
That is true, Mr. Ford said Thornton quietly.
What did you think of Port Hatch? abruptly de-
nlanced Lester Ford, eying him.
We'll, went up there and looked it over, replied
Thornton with unusual Suavity.
so did IT, asserted Lester with equal calnness.
1--WE lived there since 1t started"
Strange never heard OF your being there, unused
Carleton if surprised.
Not so strange retorted the fnancier Il
there my health, az for my own pleasure. | told
them my was Lester because didn't care to be
annoyed merely because a millionaire. | stayed
there because-well, that's my personal affair. When
YOU gentlemen believed in Europe didn't hap
pen to be there. That is ALL l know all about Port
Hatch. 1t is just what Burnah Jones declared it
ideal terminus
and i1,,
Then you know Jones also do yous" demanded
Carleton
~Yes and like admire, and believe in him, declared
Lester with pronounced and conclusive defiance in his
voice.
They started to speak; but he held up his hand for
silence and they dared not protest
Il know all about your last meeting, said Lester sig
nificantly There happens to be on this board Of
directors man who keeps me informed privately of
everything that takes place. Not that do not trust
YOU. You know that. Otherwise there would not at
this moment be majority of this board who vote my
proxies and thereby elected to it.
There was moments stiffness, broken by Thornton,
who said, stating accepted fact, That IS quite
true, Mr. Ford. | of them.
And, by the way said Lester, "three of you gen
tlemen here at time victims of this Burah
Jones' understand There need for you to apollo
gze for either yourselves for him. He very excep
tional and plausible man. the most exceptional have
ever known From what can learn he has been worse
than inscriptions; but know absolutely.
Gentemen-that Mr.. Jones regrets all that, and is
this moment noble as | ever care to meet. |
hope to win his esteem, his loyalty, his affection.
There is none other like him that have ever known.
And eager to him and his wishes that tell
you here now, that / will personally reimburse any
at this table who show the of which he
defrauded by this Burrnah Jones and l do
IN the firm belief that Burrnah when he knows Of it,
and if he is ever able will reimburse me-"
At this brave championship, outspoken and
c1rNighi. ,hl Roy Norton