Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-02-25

euthusf4sIeaflg next morning. To
his surprise his employer was not
overenthusiastic. To his greater sur
prise. that day Smith told him to
go slow" instead OF to ginger mp"
We mustn't overdo It." he OK.
planned lamefy. We don't want 70
create reaction"
While Allan stared at him, speech
less I'm surprise. Smith put on his coat
and hat.
I've got q lunch appointment. he
said. See here. young man. are you
as stupid rs you appear to be orr?
He got no further. for ut that mo-
ment he was struck down with apo-
plexy. An ambulance was called and
the doctor took the man away to the
hospital.
Hell probably get WELL" he said.
BUTT will be some time before he
can use his pen or do any work
again"
Allan, left alone In the once, did
not know what TO do. Therefore. he
started to do his work exactly a.
though the unexpected had not hap.
pened. He was hard on q biting edi-
torial when the shadow of q man In
q silk hat fell across his desk and
caused him to start round.
Behind him. Immediately dressed,
his heavy jowl set I'm a sneering smile,
stood Gregory himself.
well. sir" said Allan, rising.
This is bad news about Mr.. Smith,"
said the boss.
I should hardly expect you to take
1t that way. sir" suggested Allan.
The old boss took q chair at his
side. so you are the young man that
has been holding me up before the
public gaze as q scoundrel!" he said.
Il am, sir" answered Allan, land I
believe conscientiously that"
The boss laid q hand on his arm.
Nov. II I had q young man like
you with me-" he said. what wouldn't
! be able to do?"
Il can't be bought. Mr.. Gregory"
said Allan.
Il don't need to buy you, my boy"
answered the other. AT least, I don't
think I do. But Smith can't talk, and
what's the good OF owning him?"
Il don't understand" Allan began.
Il know you DON'T" answered the
other. Il never thought you did from
the beginning. Your editorials had the
ring OF truth: his didn't. Well. then,
my friend-Jim Smith started this pa
per to get bought out. Understand
that? I wouldn't buy at his price. I
didn't believe he could hurt me. He
could. ] was wrong for once In my
life. When i came up to his terms
he went higher. So we played teeter
till four weeks before election day.
Yesterday We agreed on terms. And
this is my paper"
Allan listened in horror, and grad
ually he began to understand many
things that had been Amysteries 70
him. No wonder Smith had encour.
aged him to write more singing in
vective-till that same morning.
You wifi show me the agreement"
suggested Allan.
Mr.. Gray" said the boss. II never
blum. 1t wasn't signed by Mr.. Smith.
He was to have signed In my ONCE
today, after lunch"
Then" said Allan calmly, 81 shall
run the paper alone. I shall be true
to what ] believed my employers
principles to be-"
Wait a minute" said Gregory. pull
ing letter out OF his pocket. Read
this-not so close. young man. Do
you think this letter. offering to &C
cept my terms. would read well I'm
the newspapers? And this. you see,
Is signed"
Yes, that was Smiths signature.
Allan sank back helplessly I'm his
chair. He could say nothing more.
Now. my young friend" Gregory
continued. how much influence DO
you suppose will remain to Smiths
Weekly when this letter is published
and you are jointly involved with our
friend in what you would call q
shameless conspiracy"
None" admitted Allan.
Then" said the boss. "wiIl you
suspend publication or drag q dying
mans name down to infamy to gain
reputation for sincerity in which
no one will believer?
Allan thought hard. Then, 81 will
suspend for that letter." he answered.
Now you're talking sense" an.
swered the boss. And he placed the
letter In Allan's hands. He knew that
he had not misjudged his man.
There was q good deal OF quiet talk
about Smith during the period preced-
ing the elections. The story OF his
dishonesty became gradually known.
But nobody ever suspected the integ.
rtty Of Allan Gray.
That. doubtless. was why he secured
the election as sheriff by q majority
OF nearly four hundred votes. And
that. too. was why he was enabled to
write 20 Mildred Just two days after
ward. Come, dearest" he said.
And when he saw Gregory among
the spectators at the wedding he did
not feel anything but goodfeliowship.
He even took the boss hand.
Ex-boss'. rather. For Gregory would