Middletown transcript., 1914-10-24

=
Brand nicked some ashes from HE
cigar onto his plush carpet and In
quired:
did he send your
mo"
''Then the advantage is mine," said
the millionaire coolly. Il am listen
ing"
"You came over TO Staten Island
some four weeks ago. You came on
business. Were you successful?"
Brand folded his hands behind his
head. He leaned back in his chair.
His brows contracted. He laid his
cigar down on the desk. He took 1t
up. He looked out Of the window. He
looked at Dick.
my FRIEND" he said, you had bet.
ter ask Reynolds"
The reporter jumped to his feet.
Leave Reynolds out Of II" he COM
manded. 'It took you long while to
think of that, and you knowNyou don't
mean it. You know Bob Reynolds
wouldn't tell me anything that another
man had told him in confidence. He
would hold It sacred even-even II 1t
came from you"
Brand dropped his mask; dropped 1t
with a crash; a good crook is never a
coward. He went around his desk al
most at run and pointed a finger an
inch from the reporters face.
Nov you be nice," he ordered in no
uncertain tone. You're here for trou-
BILE and you'll get it. But If you want
to stay at all be nice. You heard me-.
Dick met his stare fullfaced. But
he had erred. He knew it.
"I heard you," he said, "and l beg
your pardon-to the extent that re-
gret my pleasantries. But be on the
level, Brand. It's just you and me;
not Reynolds. Don't pretend. II you
want to give me the passports, say the
word. But If you don't, let's talk Ike
men,"
"All right, then. l don't think Rey-
nolds told you a word. But think you
know a lot. Damn me, If you report
ers would only turn your wits to some
good ends, how much better on you'd
be and how much better of the world
would be-"
"The point of view there" said Dick
with a smile, 'is what constitutes good
ends. For my part would not include
in such traits the desire to take other
mems wives out Joy riding. We have
agreed to dispense with pleasantries.
l speak Of facts"
Brand took it coolly.
''Well, what then?" he asked.
That's what I'm here to learn. !
know q lot but would like to learn
more"
Then I guess your MISSIONS futile,
said the millionaire.
Perhaps. But 1 haven't run dry.
Tennessee Coal and Iron dropped q
few points today"
1T sure did," Brand acquiesced. i
can swear to that"
"a lot Of poor fools lost their
money"
81 shouldn't be surprised. They usu-
ally do"
But you didn't"
why, my boy, you flatter me. But,
frankly, 1 won a lot of money"
Brand left his desk again. This time
he walked slowly to the reporters
side.
But what the devil are you driving
att" he asked with face protruding.
Are you here with threats2 Do you
think am afraid of you or your
kind?" He snapped his fingers in the
reporters face. "That," he taunted
THAT"
The blood mounted to Dicks cheeks
but his endurance was not all spent.
DO 1 look at all threatening?" be
asked. Have 1 said anything that
sounded like threats?"
mo" said Brand with sneer, but
YOU are still without an overcoat."
A fist shot out. 1t landed with q
thud. Some two hundred pounds oi
very precious flesh and bone lay
stretched upon the floor. The reporter
glanced quickly about him. There waf
a stationary washstand In a corner
: He stepped to it, soaked a towel II
the running water and laid it ove>the
= millionaire's face and head. It did the
work. Brands eyes rolled and opened
Assured Of returned consciousness
Dick stopped again and raised his VIC
tim to a sitting posture.
. "Shall stay or go?" he asked.
you'd better go" Brand answered
feebly.
mo hard feelings?"
None at all; only''-and here spoke
the fighting man-"I'Ve got quite {
punch of my own and 1 might b.
tempted to use it,
"All right" the reporter answered
''only remember, though you worship
: the golden calf, to take cognizance
also. of the golden rule. Be nice"
Left alone, Brand rubbed the, poin
of his chin and got to his feet. HI
walked over to the glass to inspec
the damage.
+ "a very neat young man" he saiC
r aloud. ct couldn't have done it bet
ter myself. / suppose deserved 1t
t But d-n himl" he exclaimed
: ''What can a man expect when he goel
D about without an overcoat and thu
+ thermometer at thirty-fve?"
To BE CoNTNUED.)
- H~s555'Sllz