The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-01-02

lived, he liked to feel the grip of his
own power. He had come to the point
where 1t was genuine satisfaction to
humble men and conquer things.
Wesley Merritt" the senator was
almost too surprised for speech.
After his abuse Of you in the paper
today. And Hunt! How did you
do it,"
This is the sort OF thing I like"
broke in Katherine. eagerly. ooh, it's
SO exciting" she declared, her eyes
glowing with eagerness and animation.
"Oh. Mr.. Slade, how did you make
them kow-tow?"
SHADES reply was prevented by the
brusque, excited entrance of Merritt
and Hunt. The, pair, angry and bel.
hgerent, strobe into the room without
word. Merritt, small, wiry, ener-
get1c, was in the lead, followed closely
by his shadow and echo, Hunt
Is 1t true?" he demanded angrily.
before he realized that Slade was not
alone. How do you do, senator
Miss Strickland" he exclaimed. in
surprise. Lovely home you have, Mr..
Slade," he added, trying to adjust him
self to the scene he had not expected.
AN astonishing rumor has reached
US, Mr.. Slade." he finally declared, get
ting down to the business Of his inva-
sion. 1T concerns you, senator 1t
concerns every public-spirited man In
the city. Is it true, Slade, that you
have bought up our entire water front
on which our residences-our old
homes-the mansions of the city face,
and that you intend building factories
there?"
why, yes" slade admitted. with
maddening calmness.
"What?" Strickland almost shouted.
completely astounded.
"But-but it can't be DONE" Merritt
was SO excited now that he suffered
his words.
1T can't be done," echoed Hunt He
was we'll paid for being an echo.
Our best people live there" pro-
tested Merritt.
Il live there" Hunt added, with &C
cumulated emphasis.
"All Of u.s." Merritt continued. take
pride in the view along the water
front. It's damnable. Why, out of
common decency, man What do
you want Of factories. anyway" he de-
manded. completely angered and out
of patience.
SHADES voice was almost q drawl,
or NJ r..
ingly calm. why didn't you and your
associates protect your holdings?" he
inquired.
How'd we know a man with mil
lions would come along and buy up
the whole beach," Merritt's wrath
was getting beyond the control that
Kather1ne's presence demanded.
"Slade. II you persist in this" he
Numbered. I'm going to take of my
coat and hit back. My paper has an
enormous outside circulation, and I'll
haste you once every day. If you pro-
pose running for governor, you won't
get one vote In your own town. And
in one month, or less, you'll find San
Francisco has gorgeous climate"
Slade was unperturbed by Merritt's
threats or Merritt's bulldozing. "All
right. Merritt" he advised, good-na-
turedly. go ahead with your paper,
I'll take my chances"
You will. eh?" Merritt's tone was
ominous. What sort of factories are
you going to build?"
WELL" drawled Slade, coolly, II was
thinking of putting up glue factoriee!"
"Glue!" The one word jumped from
everyone's mouth at once. "Gluel"
they all repeated, and looked at each
other in CONSERVATION.
THE HI you say" then remember
ing himself. Il beg your pardon, Miss
|
1T can't be DONE" Merritt went on.
You can't build glue factories here"
and he emphasized. every word with |
an angry shake of his finger.
by God, YOU"
He broke of as he saw Bob Hayes |
stride into the room. Hayes, as SHADES
lawyer and almost member Of the |
family. had the entree to the house at |
all times.
Here's my lawyer" remarked Slade, |
dryly, TASK him."
''Of course 1t can be DONE" Hayes
Informed them, convincingly. TITS per-
fectly legitimate"
Then, as II to dismiss perfectly
obvious subject, he turned to the girl,
who had been enjoying every point |
hat Slade had scored.
Katherine's eyes lighted with warm
welcome. It was the nret time she
had seen Hayes since she had re-
.urned. He was the man she had once
wanted to marry, once before her
- 49,. haA adxoza Ane tho aholon ~