Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-05-19
CHAPTER xvIII-continusd.


For the better part Of fortnight the
tidal waves OF prosperity, as evinced
BY increasing speculative values. kept
on rolling In, each one apparently lit.
tie higher than its immediate prede-
cessor. Then the flood began to sub
side. though so slowly that at first it
was only by a careful comparison of
the daily transfers that the recession
could be measured.
Causes and consequences extraneous
70 the city itself contributed to the al
most imperceptible reactionary ten
dency. For one. the Buckskin Mining
and Milling company reluctantly aban-
doned its pastime Of plowing barren
burrows on Jacks mountain, and lit
tie later went into liquidation, as the
phrase ran, though the eastern bond
holders probably called it bankruptcy
About the same time the great cement
plant, deprived of the government
market by the slackening of the work
on the dam, reduced its output to less
than one-fourth of its full capacity.
Most portentous of ALL perhaps, was
the rumor that the placers at Quad
ienai were beginning to show signs of
exhaustion. 1t was even whispered
about that the two huge gold dredges
recently installed were not paying the
expenses OF operating them.
Quite naturally, the pulse of the
Wonder city beat sensitive to all these
Oppressive rumors and Incidents, re-
spending slowly at first but little
later in accelerated throbbings which
could no longer be ignored by the most
optimistic bidder at the curb" ex-
changes.
Still there was no panic. AS the ac-
tivities in local sales fell off and the
Mirapolltans themselves were no long
or crowding the curbs or standing in
line at the real estate Offices for their
turn at the listings, the prudent ones,
with Mr.. Cortwright and his chosen
associates far in advance of the field,
we're placing Mirapolis holdings tempt
ingly on view in distant markets; plac-
ing them and selling them with
blazonry of advertising worthy Of the
envy OF those who have called them
selves the suburb builders of Greater
New York.
II was after this invasion of the dis
tant market was fully in train that
Cortwright once more sent for Brouil-
lard. receiving the engineer this time
in the newest offices Of the power com
pany. on the many-times-bought-and-
sold corner opposite Bongras'.
Hello, Brouillardl" said the mag.
nate jocosely. indicating a chair and
the never-absent open box of cigars in
the same gesture. You're getting to
be as much Of a stranger as a man
might wish his worst enemy to be-"
"You sent for me?" Brouillard broke
in tersely. More and more he was
coming to acknowledge a dull rage
when he heard the call OF his master.
YES. What about the dam? Is your
work going to start up again? Or is Il
going of for good?"
Brouillard bit his lip to keep bacl
the exclamation of astoundment thai
the blunt inquiry threatened to evoke
To assume that Mr.. Cortwright did no
know all there was to be known wal
70 credit the Incredible.
Il told you a good while ago that
was only the governments hired man,
ne replied. "You doubtless have mucl
better information than any can Civ
you"
You can tell me what your order
are-that's what want to know"
The young chief of constructio
frowned first, then he laughed.
What has given you the impression
that you own me. Mr.. Cortwright?
have often wondered"
We'll, might say that have mad
you what you are, and"
That's true; the truest thing 20
ever said" snapped Brouillard.
"And, was going to add, can III
make you Just as easily. But / don
want to be savage with you. All II
asking is a little information first, an
a little judicious help afterward Whi
are your orders from the department
Brouillard got up and stood over th
etocl5y man in the Office chair, with tt
black eyes blazing.
Mr.. Cartwright, said moment az
that you have made me what | ar
and you have. am infinitely worI
man than you are, because | know be
ter and you don't. It is no excuse (,
me that I have had a motive which
haven't explained to you, because, as
once told you. you couldn't understar
It in a thousand years. The evil hi
been done and the consequences.
you, to me. and to everyone in tn
cursed valley are certain. Facing the
as am obliged to face them, am te
ing you-but what's the use? Y
can't make a tool of me any longer
that's all. You must cook your me
over your own fire. I'm out OF it."