Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER XIV.
More Feathers,

More Feathers.
Dicks interview with Brand was bar.
rem OF results-for Dick. He felt no
remorse over the manner of its termi.
nation. 1t was a blow struck when a
man must strike. Brand had mis-
judged him, or pretended he had. Ell
Their that, or, in pique over the report
er's knowledge of his action, he had
lost control of that usual deliberate
self-pOssession and hurled out the in
suit. In any event, he had over
stepped the mark and paid the price,
Dicks only regret was his failure to
accomplish the purpose of his visit,
although he could not have told ex-
actly what that was. Within himself
he argued that he was acting for Bob;
trying to save his friend from the hui
initiating sequel that was sure to fol-
law Brands underhanded tactics with
Mrs. Reynolds. But for four weeks
he had known of these clandestine
meetings and Bob was still in igno-
rance of them. He was sincere in his
desire to help his friend and a half
dozen times he had been on the point
of telling him. But something stopped
him. He thought of confronting Jane,
but the Idea was quickly put aside.
Dick stood little in awe Of Jane.
Admiration he had a-plenty. or had
had. but there was something more.
1t was reluctance to surrender this
admiration and this inexplicable some
thing that held him back. So he
sought out Brand as a last resort.
From the millionaire he hoped to
wiring something that would bolster up
his falling respect for the girl, and
also he hoped to force Brand to dis
continue his visits. Brand had not
misjudged entirely. The reporter had
meant to threaten, but with different
motive. Brands mistake had cut short
the interview, and perhaps it was Just
as well. For Dick had not shown his
hand and his attempt to brighten Brand
would have been futile. anyway.
But the reporter had not come un-
prepared. There are some credulous
fools who believe that no one ever
knows the winner of a derby until the
race Is run; that the telegram is never
read until the recipient tears the en-
velope; that when ten thousand men
lose money on the stock market and
five hundred win, It is just luck or bet
ter judgment that turns the trick. But
Dick knew better. Dick knew that
Tennessee Coal and Iron had dropped
fifteen points and that Brand had sold.
Dick knew that the Hudson Cement
company, which was Brand, was fur
niehing the cement for the Pecos
River dam; and Dick knew that the
Western Construction company, which
paid Bob to analyze the cement that
went into the Jobs, was building the
dam. Dick knew something about mil
honaires. He knew that such men as
Brand have a habit of stubbing their
toes and that on such occasions 1t was
not unusual for them to kick up a bit
Of gold. All this he knew; but he was
speedily to learn more.
He went back to the office of his
paper after his encounter with Brand
and was sitting chatting idly with his
city editor when q boy announced that
there was telephone call for him. He
went into the booth.
Hello. Dick" called the voice of
Reynolds. "Tomorrow's Wednesday,
isn't it,"
1T will be. old top" the reporter an
swered. 'if some obstreperous planet
doesn't get in our way and mix things
up a Bit"
Reynolds laughed over the phone.
Accuracy" he said There you 20
again. But that's the very thing l
want you for. Dick. I've got the big
gest job on my hands for tomorrow
that I've ever habitat Is, from a lit
erary standpoint. Got to prepare an
extensive report on the Pecos dam
contract and l thought II you were
coming over for the usual debauch
you might come a little earlier and
lend a helping hand"
"Surest thing you know. I'll be
there. What timer"
About three"
All right. I'll be there like duck
How's the missus?"
Poor Bob! Their quarrel was fresh
in his mind. But the telephone saved
him.
Fine" he answered. 80 long"
That evening Reynolds said nothing
to his wife about the work to be done
at home. He had no object in keeping
It from her. but since their final disa-
greement over Brand and his offer
both had felt constrained and distant
1t was simply that there was nothing
In their conversation that led up to his
telling and neither had been in the
mood for exchanging condolences. In
the morning 1t was the,same. Conse-
Quently, when he left she was in igno-
rance that he and Dick were to come
early in the afternoon.
Shortly after luncheon Jane received
a telegram from Brand announcing
his intention to call that afternoon.
She summoned Frieda.
go over to Mrs Collins and ash