The Delta independent., 1915-07-09

at cafe table with his sponsor and
stout man, almost as silent as him
self The stout man responded with
something like churlish taciturnity
10 the half-dozen men and women who
came over with batteries. But later,
when the trio was left alone, his face
frightened, and he turned to the boy
from Misery.
Does Billy Conrad still keep store
at Stagbone?'
Samson started and his gaze fell in
amazement. At the mention of the
name he saw a crossroads store with
rough mules hitched to fence palings.
It was picture of home, and here was
a man who had been there! With
glowing eyes the boy dropped uncon-
sciously back into the vernacular of
the hills.
"Hev ye been thar, stranger"
The writer nodded, and slipped his
whisky.
mot for some years, though" he
confessed, as he drifted into reminis-
,ence, which to Samson was like wa
ter to parched throat.
When they left the cafe the boy
.elt as though he were taking leave
methods, this unerring diagnostician
II the human soul had been reading
aim, liking MIN. and making him feel
1eart-warming sympathy.
1t was not until much later that
Samson realized how these two really
great men had adopted him as their
little brother" that he might have
heir shoulder-touch to march by. And
It was without his realization, too.
hat they laid upon him the imprint
Of their own characters and philoso-
ply.
out to try to dissuade you" The Hon.
Mr. Wickliffe bit savagely at his cigar
and gave a despairing spread to his
well-manicured hands. You stand in
1anger of becoming the most cordially
hated man in New York-hated by the
most powerful combinations in New
York"
Wilfred Horton leaned back in a
swivel chair and put his feet up on his
1esk. For while he seemed interested
IN his own silk socks.
ne said, quietly.
The Hon. Mr.. Wickliffe rose in ex-
ASPIRATION and paced the floor. The
smoke from his black cigar went be-
fore him in vicious puffs. Finally he
stopped and leaned glaring on the
table.
Your family has always been con-
servative. When you succeeded to the
fortune you showed no symptoms Of
this mania. In Gods name, what has
changed your"
II hope have grown up" explained
the young man, with an unrufhed
smile. "One can't wear swaddling
clothes forever. you know"
The attorney for an instant softened
his manner as he looked into the
straight-gazing. unafraid eyes of his
client.
I've known you from your baby.
hood. / advised your father before
you were born. You have, by the
chance of birth, come into the control
Of great wealth The world of finance
ls of delicate balance. Squabbles in
certain directorates may throw the
Street into panic. Suddenly you
emerge from decent quiet and run
amuck in the china shop. believing
and tossing your horns. You make
war on those whose interests are your
own. You seem bent on hari-kari
You have toys enough to amuse. Why
couldn't you stay put?"
They weren't the right things
They were. as you say. toys" The
smile faded and Horizons chin sci
Itself for a moment as he added:
III you don't think I'm going to stay
| put-watch me-"
why do you have to make war
to be chronically insurgent?"
"Because"-the young man. who hat
walked up, spoke slowly-"I am read
Ing a certain writing on the wall. The
time is not far off when, unless We
regulate a number of natter from
within we shall be regulated from
without"
Take for instance this newspaper
war you've inaugurated on the police.
grumbled the corporation lawyer. "lt'i
less dangerous to the public thar
these financial crusades. but decided,
more so for yourself You are re
garded as dangerous agitator. mar
plot! tell you, Winfred, aside from
all other considerations the thing II
perilous to yourself. You are ridint
Tor a fall. These men whom you arr
whipping out of public life will turn
On you"
80 hear. Here's a letter got thii
morning-unsigned That is, I though
1t was here. Well, no matter. 1
warns me that have less than thre'
months to live unless call on m!