The Detroit times., 1914-05-06
BY
Henry Russell Miller
Copyright 1913.
The DObbs-Merrill Co

gument For under the Quinby com
panys borrowed, indeed
from his friend and rival, MacGregor
any stakeholder. upon written de-
mand by three-fourths of the stock
/ holders owning three.fourths OF the
outstanding shares, could be compell.
7 ed 10 surrender his stock at us book
I value; provision from the threat
/ OF which Quinby. owning the majority
/ OF the stock alone was exempt Had
/ his own interest not been so deeply
concerned Mark might have relished
\ the spectacle OF the tremendous AFRO
CANT Henley hurting himself in vain
against the paternal Quinby Marx
1 did not deceive himself as 20 Henley 5
real purpose, which was not 90 serve
| him but 10 set up precedent 20 upset
/ the agreement
1t isn't fair to Truitt.' Henley pro
tested vehemently. III isn't fair TO
any one but YOU How can he, how
can I. how can any OF us, know when
you're going 10 make a deal with the
others to kick him out and cheat him
out OF the real value OF his stock
Tact was the one weapon Henley
knew not how 10 WELD Qulnby gave
him pained glance.
"You know I'm not a hard man.
And you know that is contingency
not likely 10 happen
1T happened to Caulder and Steb-
bins and New"
"Ah But they" Quinby reminded
him, got an exaggerated idea OF their
importance TO the company
Henley glared sQuinby smiled.
The mellihuous voice flowed on.
'You should know that men in my
position may not consider their prl'
vate impulses Our wealth Is trust
Ia sacred trust" He paused per
! haps 10 control the rising emotion in
| spired by thought The secret OF
! my success has been harmony in my
organization Harmony ! must have
| ~ viii have ,And so must reserve
the E5rht, and means 10 GUST any who
seek 20 disturb Il. The work 70 which
III TO-. ~
tel9seiy- on my bHsiAeSs success TO
! ALLOW me 40 violate successful Prece'
dents Even, he beamed on i. Mark,
! even for the sake OF your brilliant
/ young friend Even for you"
Quihby's face had not put of its
jsmiling benevolent mask His voice
had not risen nor lost by so much as
a note its wonted musical stately ca,
/ dence. But Mark, silent and almost
! forgotten listener. knew that in the
| last words menace spoke as clear and
venomous as in the hiss OF a snake.
| lie could interpret the menace; Hen
| ley had rested too securely in his i'm
| portance TO the company; he now
had his warning; like Damoces'
| sword the power of Qninby's contract
rested heavy overhead.
II he had not known from Quinby's
voice. Mark would have understood
| from him TO whom the menace had
been spoken Henley's hands. resting
on the desk, clenched until the nails
| bit into the palms. The ugly impe-
rious face was deathly white His
! black eyes blazed Mark thought for
| a moment he was about to spring
upon Quinby and inflict physical in
! Jury, or at least hurl at the vain, shall
low poseur the splendid defiance OF
the man OF real worth. OF invincible
and unpurchasable spirit. Because he
had profound respect and sort OF
love for Henley, he wanted to see and
hear that defiance. He forgot MS
own interest in the scene.
Henley reached again, convulsively.
for pen and paper Quinhy raised a
hand--a beautiful. soft perfectly man
toured member-in humorous protest
my dear Tom" How the purrins
paternal phrase. addressed TO Henley
stung Mark felt the hot blood rise,
resentful for his master "If you are
about to resign again. beg OF you.
consider have made one conces-
sion 70 that threat But II you make
II again, | shall be obliged to break
off relation that has been both
pleasant and profitable. IL Will cost
me something. perhaps, butt VIII
cost you more"
Now" muttered Mark.
Now was the time to hurl defiance,
10 overwhelm Quinby and Quinbys
power under manly scorn. Quinby,
outwardly serene as midsummer's
skies. smiled on Henley was silent
The blazing anger in his eyes died
down TO a smoldering. sullen. futile
rage. The pen dropped from his hand.
What "A shattering OF idols was
there Mark turned away that he
might not see.
His glance fell upon Quinby The