The spectator., 1921-06-14

Cou IS Will nOlu WIn you, put, Canthu- ly. Graham, l doubt it--doubt it right much"
 The boss didn't seem 10 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 Hatch'S 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 10 warrant Shella'S lit tie telegraphic dangeh signal. Ora ham?"
 Nothing worth mentioning" said the boss without turning hair; do- ing 1t, as l made sure. because he didn't want Mrs. Sheila to be mixed l up in the plotting business. even by | implication.
 The major didn't press the inquiry | any farther. and when he spoke again | it was of an entirely different matter. Away along in the beginning. some | body-I think it was John Chadwick | spoke of you as q man with a sawt | of raw-head-and-hloody bones tempeh. | Graham: what have you done with that iempeh in these heah latch | davG?'
 The boss smile was good-natured | grin.
 "Temper is not always a matter of temperament. major. Sometimes if is only mems to an end Much of my i experience has been in the conStruc- l tion camps. where I have had to deal 1 with men in the raw Just the same. | there have been moments within the 1 past six months when I have been sorely tempted to burn the wires with few choice words of the short and ugly variety and throw up my job"
 (Which. IS you may say. brings uS around to President Dunton" put in the old lawyer Shrewdly. He is still opposing youh policies?"
 Up to a 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 heSe-ah-snggestio from Dunton had stopped2" the major inquired
 Temporarily. at least. haven't heard anything from New York-not | lately"
 Then punton's nephew nasnt made himself known to you?"
 "Collingwood? Hardly I'm not in Mir Howie Collingwood's Set-which is one of inc things have to he thank full for But this is news; I didn't know he was out here"
 The newS-giver bent his head grave ly in confirmation of the fact
 Hes heah. I'm sorry to say. Gra- ham, He has been hcah quite some little time, vibratiH' round with the Grigshys and the Gannons and lot mo of the neW-rieh people up at the capital"
 II was the boss turn to go silent. and could guess pretty well what he was thinking. The presence of rrcsi- 1 dent Dunton's nephew in the West might mean much or nothing. But could imagine the boss was thinking that his own single experience with Collingwood was enough to make him wish that the nephew of Big Money would stay where he helonged-among the high-rolerS and spenders of his own set in the efrete East.
 "l can't quite get the proper slant on men of the Collingwood type" he remarked. after the pause The only time ever saw him was on the night hefore the directors meeting last spring. He was here with his uncle s party In the special train and that night at the Bullard he had been drink ing too much and made d praying ass of himself I had to knock him silly before I could get him up to his room. V
 You did that. Graham?-for a strangehf"
 
 cerned. As 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 Shela?" he asked, thoughtfully
 "Why. no; not exactly. IL was the same night-the night we all dropped off the Flyer and got left behind at Sand Creek. You may remember that we came in later on Mir. Chadwick's special"
 The major made no reply 10 this and pretty soon the boss was on his feet and exeusing himself once more on the after-dnner smoking stunt say ing that he was obliged to go back to the office The major got up and shook hands with him as if he were hid ding him good-by for long journey | n bn n