Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1918-01-11

Copyright by Chas. soribner's Sons
CHAPTER lx-continued.

been altogether fair with TimanyOnl
Ditch. or with Colonel Baldwin, Mr..
Knzle. A friendly banker doesn't
help sell out his customer. You know
that, as well as l do. Still, you did
t."
Kinzle threw up his hands and tried
to defend himself. 1T was a straight
business transaction, Mr.. Smith. AS
long as we're In the banking business,
we buy and sell for anybody who comes
along"
mo. we don't, Mr.. Kinzie; we pro-
tect our customers first. In the pres
ent instance you thought your Gus
toner vas a dead one, anyway, so II
wouldn't make much difference II you
should throw another shoyelful Of dirt
or so onto the coffin. Wasn't that the
way of it7'
The president was fairly pushed to
the ropes. and he showed It.
ANSWER me one question, both Of
you" he snapped. "Are you big enough
to fight for your own against Stanton's
crOwd2"
you'll see; and the sight is going
to cost you something" said Smith,
and the blandest oil could have been
no smoother than his tone.
us that right, Dexter2"
"That's the way II looks to me,
Dave" said the ranchman capitalist,
who. whatever might be his limitations
in the field Of high finance, was not
lacking the nerve to fight unquestlOn-
ing In any partners quarrel.
The president Of the Brewster City
National turned back to Smith.
"What do you want, Mr.. Smith," he
asked, not too cordially.
Nothing that you'd give US, ] guess;
a little business loyalty. for one
thing"
"And a checking balance for imme-
dlate necessities for another2" sug-
gested the banker.
With all his trained a~stuteness-
trained I'm Klnzte's W school, at
that-Smlth could not be sure that the
g%ray-faced old Westerner was not set
ting a final trap for him, after all. But
he took the risk, saying, with a decent
show of Indifference: "Of course 1t
would be more convenient here than In
Denver or Chicago. But there is no
hurry about that part OF It."
The president took a slip Of paper
from a %pigeOnhOle and wrote rapidly
upon 1t. Once more his optimism was
locking horns with prudent caution. 1t
was the optimism, however, that was
driving the pen. Baldwin's word was
worth something, and II might be dis
astrous to let these two get away with
out anchOring them solldly to the
Brewster City National.
"Sign this, you two" he said. II
don't know even the name of your new
outfit yet. but I'll take a chance on one
piece Of two-name paper. anyhow"
Smith took up the slip and glanced
at II. II was an accommodation note
for twenty thousand dollars. With the
money fairly In his hands, he paused
to drive the nail of independence
squarely before he would begin.
"We don't want this at oil, Mr.. Kin.
zle, unless the banks goodwill comes
with IT," he said with becoming gray
lty.
"T1l stand by you" was the brusqu'
r~ejOlnder. "BIt It's only fair to you
both to say that you've got the biggest
kind OF n combination to buck you
a national utilities corporation with
the strongest sort Of political backing
~ doubt II you can tell US anything
that we don't already know" sale
Smith coolly, as he put his name OF
the note; and when Baldwin haC
signed: Let this go to the credit o.
Timanyoni Ditch, II you please, Mr.
KlnZle. and Wen transfer II later. IT.
quite possible that we sha'n't need II
but we are willing to help out a llttl,
on your discount profits, anyway. Fur
Their along. when things shape them
selves up a bit more definitely, yol
shall know all there Is to know, ant
wen give you Just as good a chanc,
to make money as yOu1l give u.s."
When they were safely out OF tn
hank and half a square away from II
Dexter Baldwin pushed his hat bacl
and mopped his forehead. "They So,
a man can't sweat at this Rlttude," n
remarked. I'm here to tell you
Smith. that I've lost ten pounds In tn
last ten minutes. Where IN the nam
Of jumping JehOshaphat did you &c
your nerve. boy7 You made him be
lieve we'd got outside backing fror
somewhere
II didn't say anything like that, dl
IT.
"NO; but you opened the door and h
walked In"
THAT'S all right; I'm not respor
hb.e for Mr.. Kinzie's Imagination
W. were obliged to have a little ad
Vertlslng capital; we couldn't turn
wheel without H. Put me In tOuel