The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-10-30

am glad, suinby thawed slightly
that you make an exception
Yes. Myself"
Quinby's face was a study.
And" Henley continued, you can
let him have this stock or lose Truitt
and.me"
Thereupon Henley wrote out and
gave to Quinby his ~ssignation from
the Craftsmanship. There was tense
silence while Quinby studied the
paper.
Very WELL" he said at last. He
tore the resignation into little bits.
But 1t was a graceful surrender.
During the pause Quinby had regained
! MS poise. He was once more the
gracious patron, apparently blind to
Henley's show OF dislike.
All! my dear Tom" he shook his
head smilingly, that was hardly fair.
You played upon my affection. You
know there Is no sacrifice | would
not make rather than lose you.',
Humph!" grunted Henley. This is
no sacrifice"
'of course" the philanthropist went
on, "Truitt takes under our agree
ment."
And this launched another long ar
gument. For under the Quinby com
pany ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, 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 compelled
to surrender his stock at its book
value; a 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. Mark did
not deceive himself as to Henley's
real purpose, which was not to serve
MIN but to set up precedent to
upset the agreement.
1T isn't fair to Truitt," Henley pro
tested yehemently. 1T isn't fair to
any one but you. How can he, how
can |, how can any of us, know when
you're going to make 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 to WELD. Quinby gave
him a panied glance.
You know I'm not a hard man. And
you know that is contingency not
likely to happen"
1t happened to Cauler and Stebbins
and New
"Ah! But they" Quinby reminded
MIN, got an exaggerated idea of their
Importance to the company
Henley glared. Quinby smiled.
The mellifuous voice flowed on.
you should know that men in my
position may not consider their pri.
vate impulses. Our wealth is a trust
"a sacred trust" He paused. perhaps
to control the rising emotion inspired
by thought. The secret of my sue
cess has been harmony in my organ
1zation. Harmony | must have-I will
have. And SO must reserve the right
and means to GUST any who seek to
disturbit. The work to which have
given myself-the projects you, fear,
hold SO lightly-depends too closely on
my business success to allow me to
violate successful precedents. Even"
he beamed on Mark, even for the
sake of your brilliant young friend.
Even for you"
Quinbys face had not put off its
smiling benevolent mask. His voice
had not risen nor lost by SO much as
note its wonted musical stately
cadence But Mark, a silent and al
most forgotten listener, knew that in
the last words menace spoke as clear |
and venomous as in the hiss of a |
snake. He could interpret the men,
ace; Henley had rested too securely |
in his Importance to the company; he |
now had his warning; like Damocles' |
sword the power of Quinby'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. Henleys hands, resting
on the desk, clenched until the nails
bit into the palms. The ugly imperi-
ous face was deathly white. His black
eyes blazed. Mark thought for a mo-
ment he was about to spring upon
Quinby and intiict physical injury. or
At least hurl at the vain shallow poseur
The splendid defiance of the man of
zeal worth, of invincible and unpur-
spirit. Because he had a pro-
'ound respect and sort Of love for
Henley, he wanted to see and hear
hat defiance. He forgot his own in
crest in the scene.
Henley reached again convulsively,
or pen and paper. Quinby raised a
land-a beautiful, soft, perfectly man.
cured member-in humorous protest.
My dear Toni" How the purring
phrase, addressed to Henley.
stung! Mark felt the hot blood rise.
'esentful for his master. IF you are
about to resign again. beg of you.
have made one concession
o that threat. But If you make it
again | shall he ohliped IN hraaty oes = |