The citizen., 1914-10-23
CHAPTER XIV.
More Feathers.

wore feathers.
Dicks interview with Brand was bar
rem OF results-for Dick. He felt no
remorse over the manner of its termi-
nation. 1t was a blow struck when
man must strike. Brand had mis-
judged him, or pretended he had. Ei-
ther that, or, in pique over the report
er's knowledge of his action, he had
lost control Of that usual deliberate
self-possession and hurled out the in.
suit. In any event, he had over
stepped the mark and paid the price.
Dicks only regret was his failure to
accomplish the purpose Of his visit,
although he could not have told ex-
actly what that was. Within himself
he argued that he was acting for Bob;
trying to save his friend from the hui
initiating sequel that was sure to fol-
law Brands underhanded tactics with
Mrs. Reynolds. But for four weeks
he had known of these clandestine
meetings and Bob was still in igno-
rance of them. He was sincere in his
desire to help his friend and a half
dozen times he had been on the point
of'telling him. But something stopped
him. He thought of confronting Jane.
but the idea was quickly put aside.
Dick stood a little in awe of Jane.
Admiration he had a-plenty, or had
had, but there was something more.
1t was reluctance to surrender this
admiration and this inexplicable some
thing that held him back. So he
sought out Brand as last resort
From the millionaire he hoped to
wiring something that would bolster up
bis failing respect for the girl, and
also he hoped to force Brand to dis
continue his visits. Brand had not
misjudged entirely. The reporter had
meant to threaten, but with different
motive. Brands mistake had cut short
the interview, and perhaps 1t was just
as well. For Dick had not shown his
hand and his attempt to frighten Brand
would have been futile, anyway.
But the reporter had not come un-
prepared. There are some credulous
fools who believe that no one ever
knows the winner of a derby until the
race is run; that the telegram is never
read until the recipient tears the en-
velope; that when ten thousand men
lose money on the stock market and
five hundred win, it is just luck or bet
ter judgment that turns the trick But
Dick knew better. Dick knew that
Tennessee Coal and Iron had dropped
fifteen points and that Brand had sold.
Dick knew that the Hudson Cement
company, which was Brand, was fur
nishing the cement for the Pecos
River DAM and Dick knew that the
Western Construction company, which
paid Bob to analyze the cement that
went into the jobs, was building the
dam. Dick knew something about mil
lionaires. He knew that such men as
Brand have a habit of stubbing their
toes and that on such occasions 1t was
not unusual for them to kick up bit
Of gold. All this he knew; but he was
speedily to learn more.
He went back to the office of his
paper after his encounter with Brand
and was sitting chatting idly with his
city editor when boy announced that
there was a telephone call for him. He
went into the booth.
Hello, Dick" called the voice of
Reynolds. "Tomorrow's Wednesday,
isn't it,"
1T will be, old top" the reporter an
swered, 'if some obstreperous planet
doesn't get in our way and mix things
up bit"
Reynolds laughed over the phone.
Accuracy" he said There you go
again. But that's the very thing l
want you for. Dick, I've got the big
gest job on my hands for tomorrow
that I've ever had-that is, from lit
erary standpoint Got to prepare an
extensive report on the Pecos dam
contract and ! thought II you were
coming over for the usual debauch
you might come a little earlier and
lend helping hand"
"Surest thing you know. I'll be
there. What timer"
About three"
"All right I'll be there like duck.
lIow's the missus?"
Poor Bobl Their quarrel was fresh
in his mind. But the telephone saved
him.
Fine" he answered. $50 long"
That evening Reynolds said nothing
to his wife about the work to be done