The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-01-21

levity, He was there for purpose
The pleasantriee would do for another
time.
MIR. Brand" he said. II fear that
you won't construe this visit as a com.
pliment | am not here to inquire into
your business, past, present or future.
come In behalf OF friend"
Brand fiicked some ashes from his
cigar onto his plush carpet and in.
quired:
Did he send your"
NO"
Then the advantage 10 mine" said
the millionaire coolly. Il am listen.
ing"
You came over to Staten Island
some four weeks ago. You came on
business. Were you successfulp"
Brand folded his hands behind his
head. He leaned back in his chair.
His brows contracted He laid his
cigar down on the desk. He took Il
up. He looked out Of the window. He
looked at Dick.
MY friend" he said, you had bet.
ter ask Reynolds"
The reporter jumped to his feet.
Leave Reynolds out OF IT," he com.
manded. 1T took you long while to
think OF that, and you know you don't
mean It, You know Bob REYNOLDS
wouldn't tell me anything that another
man had told him In confidence. He
would hold It sacred even-even II Il
came from you"
Brand dropped his mask: dropped Il
with a crash: a good crook Is never
coward. He went around his desk al.
most at a run and pointed a finger an
inch from the reporters face.
Now you be NICE" he ordered in no
uncertain tone. You're here for trou.
BILE and you'll get IT, But II you want
to stay at all be nice You heard me-"
Dick met HIS stare full-faced. But
he had erred. He knew II.
Il heard YOU" he said, land | beg
your pardon-to the extent that re-
gret my pleasantries. But be on the
level, Brand. It's just you and me;
not Reynolds. Don't pretend. II you
want to give me the passports. say the
word. But II you don't, let's talk like
men"
All right. then ! don't think Rey-
nolds told you word But think you
know lot. Damn me, IL you report
ers would only turn your wits to some
good ends, how much better on you'd
be and how much better OF the world
would be-"
The point OF view there" said Dick
with a smile. lis what constitutes good
ends. For.my part would not include
In such traits the desire to take other
mems wives out Joy riding. We have
agreed to dispense with pleasantries.
/ speak OF facts"
Brand took 1t coolly.
We'll. what them" be asked.
That's what I'm here to learn. /
know lot but would like to learn
more"
Then guess your missions futile"
said the millionaire.
Perhaps. But | haven't run dry.
Tennessee Coal and Iron dropped a
few points today"
1T sure did" Brand acquiesced. II
can swear to that"
"A lot OF poor fools lost their
money"
Il shouldn't be surprised. They usu-
ally do"
But you didn't"
Why. my boy. you natter me. But,
frahbly. won a lot OF money"
Brand left his desk again. This time
he walked slowly to the reporters
side.
But what the devil are you driving
at?" he asked with face protruding.
Are you here with threats? Do you
think | am afraid OF you or your |
kind" He snapped his fingers In the
reporters face. That" he taunted.
That"
The blood mounted to Dicks cheeks,
but his endurance was not all spent.
DO | look at all threatening?" he
asked. Have | said anything that
like threats7"
mo" said Brand with a sneer, but
you are still without an overcoat."
A fist shot out. II landed with a
very precious flesh and bone lay
stretched upon the floor The reporter
glanced quickly about him. There was
, stationar. washstand in a corner.
He stepped to II. soaked a towel In
he running water and laid Il over the
face and head. II did the
work, Brands eyes rolled and opened.
Assured OF returned consciousness.
Dick stopped again and raised his vic
lin to a sitting posture.
Shall I stay or go?" he asked.
You'd better 60" Brand answered
eebly.
mo hard feelingsI"
None at all; only"-and here spoke
he hghting man-"I've got quite a
punch OF my own and might be
empted TO use H."
"All right" the reporter answered,
only remember. though you worship
he golden calf. to take cognizance,
Ilso. OF the golden rule. Be NICE,
Left alone. Brand rubbed the point
u his chin and got to his feet. He