Cleveland County herald., 1920-08-19

He's quite well again, thank you. It's too bad the circumstances are such that we, who started out to be such agreeable friends, see so little of each other, Shirley"
 Indeed, it is However, it's all your fault. I have told you once how you can obviate that distressing situation. But you're SC stubborn, Mir. Cardigan"
 q haven't got to the point where l like crawling on my hands and knees," he fiared back at her. Even for your sake, l decline to simulate friendship or tolerance for your uncle; hence 1 must be content to let matters stand as they are between us."
 She laughed lightly. "So you are still uncompromisingly belligerent- still after Uncle Seths scalp?'
 "Yes and I think Pm going to get it. Pm not fighting for myself alone, but for a thousand dependents-for principle-for an ancient sentiment that was my fathers and is now mine. You do not understand
 'I understand more than you give me credit for. and some day you'll realize it. I understand just enough to make me feel sorry for you. I un- derstand what even my uncle doesn't suspect at present, and that is that you're the directing genius of the Northern California Oregon railroad and hiding behind your friend Ogilvy. Now, listen to me, Bryce Cardigan: You're never going to build that road. | Do you understand"
 The suddenness of her attack amaz- ed him to such an extent that he did not take the trouble to contradict her. Instead he blurted out, angrily and 1 defiantly: "I'll build that road if it | costs me my life-if 1t costs me you. | Understand I'm in this fight to win"
 "You will not build that road" she reiterated.
 "Why?
 Because I shall not permit you to- I have some financial qnterest in the l Laguna Grande Lumber company, and l 1t is not to that financial interest that | you should build the N. c. O." How did you find out that was behind Ogilvy?"
 Intuition. Then I accused you of | 1t, and you admitted it" 'I suppose you're going to tell your l uncle now" he retorted witheringly. "On the contrary, I am not. If 1t will comfort you the least bit, you have my word of honor that I shall not reveal to my uncle the identity of 1 the man behind the N c. O. The fact is, both you and Uncle Seth annoy me exceedingly. How lovely everything would have been if you two hadn't the task of trying to be fair and i'm partial to you both. Forgive my slang, but-I'm going to hand you eacf poke soon.'
 Shirley" he told her earnestly "listen carefully to whatI am about t6 the day first met you. I shall always love you; and when I get around tC it, I'm going to ask you to marry me At present, however. that is a right I do not possess. However, the day I acquire the right I shall exercise 1 it."
 And when will that day be?" Very softly, in awesome tones!
 "The day I drive the last spike in the N. c. O.
 Fell a silence. Then; "Fm glad, Bryce Cardigan, you're not Quitter. Goodbye, good luck-and don't forget my errand." She hung up and sat at the telephone for moment, dimpIed chin in dimpled hand. How I'd hate you If I could handle you!' she mur- mured.
 Following this exasperating but Illuminating conversation with Shirley Sumner over the telephone, Bryce Cardigan was distressed and badly worried man. For an hour he sat slouched in his chair. chin on breast, the while he reviewed every angle of the situation. lie found 1t iinpos- sible, however, to disassociate the busi- ness from the personal aspects of his relations with Shirley, and he recalled that she had the very best of reasons for placing their relations on busi- ness basis rather sentimental one. For the present, however it was all a profound and disturbing mystery, and i after an hour of futile concentration there came to Bryce the old childish impulse to go to his father with his troubles.
 "He will be able to think without having his thoughts plotted out by a woman's face" Bryce soliloquized. Hes like one of his own big redwood trees; his head is always above the storm"
 Straightway Bryce left the office and ! went home to the old house on the {, knoll. John Cardigan was sitting on l the veranda, and from stand beside shim George Sea Otter entertained him 1 with photograph selection-"The Suwanee River" sung by male quar- tette. He could not sees but with the intuition nf the blind he knew
 What is 1t, son?" he demanded