The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-07-08

MlSten NlpleyS opinion. Maybe tHe
cou'ts will hold with you, but, candid
ly, Graham, l doubt it-doubt it right
much"
The boss didn't seem to be much
scared up over the doubt. He just
smiled and said we'd be likely to find
out what was in the wind, and that
before very ,ong. Then he spoke of
Hatchs afternoon call at our offices,
and mentioned the fact that the Red
Tower president would probably try
again. later in the evening.
The major let the business matter
drop. and he was working his way
patiently through the salad course
when he looked up to say:
"Was there anything in youh trip
to Strathcona to warrant Sheila's lit
tie Geographic dangeh signal. Ora
ham?"
Nothing worth mentioning" said
the boss. without turning hair; do
ing it, as made sure. because he
didn't want Mrs. Sheia to be mixed
up in the plotting business. even by
implication.
The major didn't press the inquiry
any farther. and when he spoke again
1t was of an entirely different matter.
away along in the beginning. some
body-I think it was John Chadwick
spoke Of you as man with sawt
of Observation-Disclosures tempeh,
Graham: what have you done with
that tempeh in these heah latch
days?"
The boss smile was good-natured
grin.
Temper is not always matter Of
temperament, major. Sometimes 1t is
only means to an end. Much of my
experience has been in the construc-
tion camps where have had to deal
with men In the raw. Just the same,
there have been moments within the
sorely tempted to burn the wires with
a few choice words of the short and
ugly variety and throw up my job"
(which. as you may say, brings us
around to President Dunton." put in
the old lawyer shrewdly. HE is still
opposing youh policies?"
up to few weeks ago he was
still bounding me to do something that
would boost the stock regardless of
what the something should be. or of
its effect upon the permanent value of
the property"
"Did I understand you to say that
Neutrality-suspicious. from Dunton
had stopped?" the major inquired.
Temporarily, at least. haven't
heard anything from New York-not
lately"
"Then Dunton's nephew hasn't made
himself known to you?"
"Collingwood? Hardly. Tn not in
Mr.. HOWE Collingwood's set-whch is
one of the things have to be thank
full for. But this is news: didn't
know he was out here"
The news-giver bent his head grave
~ in confirmation of the fact.
Hes heah, I'm sorry to say. Gra-
ham. He has been heah quite some
little time, vibratin' round with the
Grigsbys and the Gannons and lot
mo- of the new-rich people up at the
capital"
It was the boss turn to go silent.
and could guess pretty we'll what he
was thinking. The presence of Presi-
dent Dunton's nephew in the West
might mean much or nothing. But l
could imagine the boss was thinking
that his own single experience with
Coliingwood was enough to make him
wish that the nephew of Big Money
would stay where he elonged-among
the high-rollers and spenders of his
own set in the effete East.
II can't quite get the proper slant
on men of the Collingwood type" he
remarked. after the pause. 1.-THE only
time ever saw him was on the night
before the directors meeting last
spring. He was here with his uncle's
party in the special train, and that
night at the Billiard he had been drink
ing too much and made braying ass
of himself. had to knock him silly
before could get him up to his room"
"You did that, Graham?-for a
strangeh?"
II did it for the comfort of all con-
cerned. AS I say. he was making an
ass of himself"
There was another break. and then
the major looked up with a little
frOwn.
"That was befo' you had met
Sheila?" he asked. thoughtfully.
"Why. no; not exactly. 1t was the
same night-the night we all dropped
off the Flyer and got left behind at
Sand Greek. You may remember that
we came in later on Mr.. Chadwick's
special"
The major made no reply to this,
and pretty soon the boss was on his
feet and excusing himself once more
on the after-dinner smoking stunt say
ing that he was obliged to go back to
the Office. The major got up and shook