The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-10-18
CONTINUED From Our Last Issue)
CHAPTER v.
Fiemister and Others

Flemlstor and Others
The jocoseiy spectacular arrest o.
Barton Rufford. with its appeal u
the grim humor OF tho desert. wal
responsible for brief lull In th'
storm OF antagonism evoked b,
tidgerwood's attempt 10 bring or
der out OF the chaos reigning In hi
small kingdom.
On the Saturday In tho week oi
snreease. Flcmlster came In on the
noon train from the west, and II wal
McCioskey who ushered him into
the superintendent office. LidEer
wood looked up and saw n small
man wearing the khaki OF tho en-
gineers. with soft felt hat e
match.
what can do for you. Mr.
riemisterf" Ildgerwood asked.
Notwithstanding on top ol
earth; It's the other way round.
came to do something for you--or
rather for one OF your subordinates
Hailock tells me that tho ghost ol
the old Mesa Building and Iosr
association still refuses 10 be laid
and he intimates that some OF the
survivors are trying TO mako Il un
pleasant for him by accusing hin
10 you"
Yes" said Lidgerwood.
There In only ono explanation "a
be made" said the excluding anc
loan president. braxeniy. "a fev
OF us who were the officers OF the
company were the heaviest losers
and we felt that we were entitled
to tho scraps and leaylngA."
in other words. you looted the
treasury among you" said Lidger
wood. coldly. "ilow far was Hal
lock implicated ?"
"iIe was not implicated at all
save In a clerical way"
You mean he did not share IN
the distribution OF the money!"
lie did not"
Then Il IL only fair that you
should set him straight with tbs
others. Mr.. Fcmlster"
"I'ii think about H." returned the
mineowner. shortly: but Lidger
wood was not to be put off 30 cas-
ily.
"you must think OF Il TO some
good purpose" he insisted.
You're not threatening me. arc
you. Mr.. Lidgerwoods
"Oh. no: there In no occasion foi
threats. But II you don't make ms
that statement. fully croneratlnf
Haiiock. shall feel at liberty 70
make ono OF my own embodying
what you have Jus, told me. And u
! afn compelled 10 do this. you must
not blame me II am not able &c
place the matter IN the mos, favor
able light for you"
A few days later Lidgerwood se,
'ou, for Copah In hlA private car
Leaving late in the afternoon. he
had m appointment with Leckhard
Of the main line. timed for an early
hour the following morning. Enter
Ing the car. Lidgerwood went al
once to his desk. and promptly be
came deaf and blind 10 everything
but his work.
II WAS close TO midnight when
looking up from his work 1t this
final slowing OF tho wheels. he saw
the masthead lights OF tho Copah
yards.
Taking II for granted that Super
intendent Lcckhard had long since
left his office In the Pacific eouth
western building. Lidgerwood gave
orders TO have his car placed on the
station spur. and went on with his
work. At last he was about done
He closed HIS desk and was takins
final pull a, the short pipe which
was his working companion when
the car door opened silently and he
saw an apparition.
Standing In tho doorway and
cropping with her hands held out be
fore her. an II she were blind. was a
woman. Her gown was tho tawdry
half-dress OF tho dance halls. One
glance ut tho, eyes. fixed and star
Ing. assured Lidgerwood Instantly
that he had 10 do with one who was
either drink.maddcned or dcmcnied
Where IL he7" the intruder
asked. ia n throaty whisper. star.
ing. not nj him. as Lidgerwood was
quick To observe. but straight
ahead. And then: Il told you |
would come. Rankin: I've been
watching years and years for your
car To come In. Look want you
TO see what you have made OF me,
you and that other man"
Lidgerwood sat perfectly still. I,
was quite evident that the woman
did not see him. But his thoughts
were busy Tho Il was by little
more than chance. he knew that
Hallock's Christian name was Ran
kin, and instantly he recalled all
that McCioskey had told him about
the chief clerks marital troubles
Was this poor painted wreck the