Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-08-19
Illustrations by c. D. RHODES
(Copynght BY Charles Serpnsr's sons

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esses were all serious, and whose
hobby was method, Mr.. Galbraith had
established custom of giving himself
a quiet half-hour of inviolable seclu-
sion In which to read and consider
his mail. During this sacred interval
the stenographer, standing guard In
the outer Office, had instructions to
deny his chief to callers of any and
every degree. Wherefore, when, at
20 minutes to II, the door Of the pri-
vate Office opened to admit stranger.
the president was Justly annoyed.
well, sir; what now" he demand
ed, impatiently, taking the intruder's
measure In a swift glance shot from
beneath his bushy white eyebrows.
The unannounced visitor was
young man of rather prepossessing ap-
pearance, a trihe tall for his breadth
Of shoulder, fair. with blue eyes and q
curling, reddish beard and mustache,
the former trimmed to a point. So
much the president was able to note
In the appraisive glance-and to re-
member afterward.
The caller made no reply to the curt
question. He had turned and was
closing the door. There was a quiet
insistence in the act that was like the
flick Of whip to Mr.. Galbraith's irri-
tation.
IF you have business with me,
you'll have to excuse me for a few
minutes" he protested, still more i'm
patiently. BE good enough to take
seat in the anteroom until l ring
mcfarland should have told you"
The young man drew up a chair and
sat down, ignoring the request as II
he had failed to hear 1t. Ordinarily
Mr.. Andrew Galbraith's temper was
equable enough; the age-cooled tenn
per Of methodical gentleman whose
long upper lip was in itself an adver-
tisement of self-control. But such a
deliberate infraction of his rules,
coupled with the stony impudence Of
the visitor, made him spring up an.
grily to ring for the Waterman.
The intruder was too quick for him.
When his hand sought the bell push
he found himself looking into the
muzzle Of revolver, and so was fain
to fall back into his chair, gasping.
"Ah-h-h!" he stammered. And when
the words could be managed: so
that's II, is it?-you're a robber!"
NO" said the invader of the presi.
Dental privacy calmly, speaking for
the first time since his incoming. II
am not a robber, save in your own
very limited definition of the word.
am merely poor man. Mr.. Gal
braith-one of the uncounted thou
sands-and want money. If you call
for help, shall shoot you. It is
merely question of money. and II
you are amenable to reason"
IF Pm-but I'm not amenable to
your reasons!" clustered the presi-
dent. recovering little from the first
shock of terrified astoundment. II re-
fuse to listen to them. I'll not have
anything to do with you. Go awayi"
The young mans smile showed his
teeth, but 1t also proved that he was
not wholly devoid of the sense of
| humor.
Keep your temper, Mr.. Galbraith,"
he advised cooIly. THE moment is
mine, and I say you shall listen first
and obey afterward. Otherwise you
die. Which is it to be? Choose
quickly-time Is precious"
The president yielded the first
point, that of the receptive ear; but
! grudgingly and as one under strict
compulsion.
well. well. then; out with it. What
have you to say for yourself?'
This: You are rich; you represent
the existing order of things. I am
poor. and ! stand for my necessity.
which is higher than any man-made
law or custom. You have more money
than you can possibly use in any le-
climate personal channels; | have
not the price of the next meal, already
twenty-four hours overdue. came
here this morning with my life In my
hand to invite you to share with me
a portion of that which is yours chiefly
by the right of possession. II you do
it, well and good; If not, there will
be new president of the Bayou State
Security. Do make myself sufficient.
ly explicit?"
Andrew Galbraith glanced furtively
at the paper-weight clock on his desk.
1t was nearly eleven, and Mcfarland
would surely come In on the stroke
Of the hour. II he could only fend
/, off the catastrophe for a few minutes.
until help should come. He searched
in his pockets and drew forth hand
full OF coins.
The invader of privacies glanced at
the clock in his turn and shook his
head.
You are merely trying to gain time,
and you know 1t, Mr.. Galbraith. My
stake in this game is much more than
handful of charity silver; and
don't do you the injustice to believe
that you hold your life so cheaply;
you who have so much money and,
at best, so few years to live"
The president put the little heap
Of coins on the desk, but he did not
abandon the struggle for delay.
What's your price, them" he de-
manded. as one who may possibly
consider a compromise.