The spectator., 1921-06-17
CHAPTER XiV-Continued.


 soning mind. Graham; haven't you discovered it before this?"
 The boss nodded soberly. "I have discovered good many things about you during the past six months: one of them is that there was never an began"
 Knowing. as l did, that she had a husband alive and kicking around somewhere, it seemed us if 1 just couldn't stay there and listen to what break of that kind on the boss part was likely to lead up to. But Maisie Ann gripped my wrist until she hurt.
 You must listcn." she whispered fierccly. You're taking care of him, and you've got to know!'
 As on many other earlier occasions, Mrs. SheiaA slid away from the senti- mental side of things just as easy as turning your hand over.
 You are too big man to let an added difficulty defeat you now" she remarked calmly, going back 10 the business field. You are really mak- ing a miraculous success. l have just spent two weeks Iii the capital. as you know. and everybody is talking about you. They say you are in q fair way to solve the big problem-the proIHem of bringing the railroads and the people together in a peaceable and profitable partnership-which iS as it should be-"
 1t can be done; and could do it right here on the Pioneer Short Line If didn't have to fight so many diff ferent kinds of devils at the same time" said the boss, seowlinc down at the fire in tlic grate. And then with quick jerk of his head to face her: You sent tho major wire from the capital last night, telling him to per suade ne not to go to Strathcona. Why dlG you do 1t? And how did you know was thinking of going:"
 For the first time in the whole six months l saw Mrs. Shcila get Il little Mustered, though she didn't show 1t much. only little more color i'll her cheeks.
 some day. perhaps. I may tell you, but 1 can't now" she said sort of hur- ricdly. And then: You mustn't ask me
 "But you did send the wire?"
 Yes"
 And you also sent another to Upton Van Rritt?"
 "I did."
 The boss smiled. That second mes. sage was an after-,hought. You were afraid I'd be stubborn and go, any way That was some more of your marvellous innner reasoning. Tell me, Sheaa. did you know that there was going to be broken rail-ioiAt set to kill ne on that trip?'
 That got he, in spite of her heaven. ly cglm and l could see her press her pretty lips together hard.
 Was that what they did?" she asked, n bit tremhly.
 He nodded. Van Britt was on the pilot engine ahead of my car, and he found il, There was no harm done. It was bad enough, God knows. to set trap that would have killed ev- erybody on my train; hut this other thing that has been pulled of tonight is even worse. Mir Dunton and his unprincipled followers have set thing on foot here which is due to grind us all tn powder. Past that. they have contr:Ned to handcuff me so that can't make q move without pulling down consequences of personal ma ture upon President Dunton. himself.'
 Now my marvellous inner rcason- ing has gone quite blind" she said. with n queer little smile. "You'll have to explain"
 "It's simple enough" said the boss shortly. If Mir. Dunton had sent only hired emissaries out here to bribe the members of the lesislature-but he didn't; he included member of his own family"
 was looking straight at Mrs. Sheilu as he spoke, and saw Il sudden frightened shock jump into the slate gray eyes. Just for a second Re- fore you could count one, it was gone and she was saying quietly:
 "A member of his own family? That is very singular. isn't 1t? Was there was this thing that was done actually crimlnal?' she asked, just breathing 1t at him.
 ''It was, indeed. The election laws of this state have teeth. IL is peni- tentiary ofiense to bribe either the electorate or the lawmakers"
 There was silence for little time. and she was no longer looking at him: she was staring into the heart of the glowing coals in the grate basket. By and by she said: You haven't told me this mans name-the one who did the briblng: may l know it?'
 knew just what the boss was go- ing to do, and he did it: took the slip of paper that Dedmon had written on from his pocket and passed 1t across to her If there Wus another shock