Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-08-13
lam glad" ouinby thawed slightly.

81 am glad" Quinby 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 chairmanship. 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
! his poise. He was once more the
gracious patron, apparently blind to
Henley's show of dislike.
| "Ah! my dear Tom," he shook his
head smilingly. that was hardly fair.
You played upon my affection. You
know there is no sacrifice l 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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. indeed,
from his friend and rival, MacGregor
any stockholder, 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;" 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
giant Henley hurling himself in vain
against the paternal Quinby. Mark did
not deceive himself as to Henley's
real purpose, which was not to serve
him but to set up u precedent to
upset the agreement.
1T isn't fair to Truitt,' Henley pro-
tested vehemently. 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 a 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 n hard man. And
you know that is a contingency not
likely to happen"
1T happened to Cauler and Stebbins
and New"
"Ah, But they" Quinby reminded
him, got an exaggerated idea of their
importance to the company"
Henley glared. Quinby smiled.
The melliiiuous voice flowed on.
You should know that men in my
position may not consider their pri
vate impulses. Our wealth is 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
ization. Harmony must have-I will
have. And go ! must reserve the right
and means to oust any who seek to
disturb 1t. The work to which l 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
bdht VI youI youh6
Even for you
! Quinby's face had not put of its
J smiling benevolent mask. His voice
had not risen nor lost by SO much as
( a note its wonted musical stately
, cadence. But Mark. 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 s
voice. Mark would have understood
. from him to whom the menace had
been spoken. Henley's hands. resting
on the desk, clenched until the nails
bit into the palms. The ugly imperi-
Gus face was deathly white. His black
eyes blazed. Mark thought for a mo-
ment he was about to spring upon
Quinby and infiict physical injury. or
at least hurl at the vain shallow poseur
he splendid defiance of the man OF
real worth, of invincible and unpur-
chasable spirit. Because he had a pro-
found respect and sort of love for
Henley, he wanted to see and hear
that defiance. He forgot his own in
terest in the scene.
Henley reached again convulsively.
for pen and paper. Quinby raised a
hand-a beautiful, soft. perfectly man.
icured member-in humorous protest.
MY dear Toni" How the purring
paternal phrase, addressed to Henley.
stung, Mark felt the hot blood rise.
resentful for his master. IF you are