The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-01-28
The Wreckers
By
Francis Lyade
Continued From Yesterday,

hadn't any part whatovcr-circlod
around the late landslide election,
and what Governor Rurrell's party
would do. now that II had tho say
so. But by and by Il got around
20 the railroad situation.
You're putting up mighty good
fight, Graham. my son. but IL isn't
over yct--not by jugful. sub
this isn't the way the major said Il,
but it's as near as I can come 10
his soft Southern drawi with the
smothcred ''r's.- 1--WE known Misteh
Rufus Hatch for good many
yeahs, and he has the perseverance,
OF the vc'y devil. With all that has
been done. you must neyah forget.
for a single hou'uh. that youh al
mirable reform structehuh stands.
as yet. upon the life Of a single
man. Don't lose sight OF that, Ora.
ham
The boss looked up kind OF eur.
iously.
You and Shena seem 10 think
that that point needs emphasizing
more than any other" he comment
ed.
The majors fine old eyes twinkled
gravcly.
you are mighty safe IN payin
strict attention 10 whatever the III
tie gyeri tells you. Graham. my
boy" he asserted. 'she has way
Of gettin' at the heart Of things
that puts us mcah men TO shame
she has. for fact. sub"
"She has been very helpful 20 me"
the boss put in. with his eyes 10
his plate. "Tn fact. may say that
she has herself suggested good
many OF the moves in the railroad
game. It's marvellous. and can't
understand how she can do IL
They went on for a while singing
Mrs. Shclla's praises over In a good
many different ways. and | thought
wherever she might happen TO be
Just then. her pretty little ears
ought 10 be burning good and hard.
To hear them talk you would have
thought she WIS another Porta
person. and then some.
The dinner wore itself out after n
while. and when tho walter brought
the cigars. the boss was looking at
his watch.
"f'm sorry can't stay and smoke
with you. MAJOR he said. push
Ing his chair back. but the bust
ness grind never lets UP. I'm obliged
10 go To Strathoona tonight"
don't know what the major was
going to say TO this abrupt break
away: the after.dinner social cigar
was a sort OF religious ceremony
with him. But whatever he was 80.
ing TO say. he didn't say II. for at
that moment a telegraph boy came
in and banded him a message. lie
put on his other glasses and read
the telegram. with his big goatee
looking more than ever like a dag.
ger and the fierce white mustachcs
twitching. At the end OF things he
folded the message and put IL into
his pocket. saying. sort OF soberly;
Graham. there are times whsn
Sheiias intuhfercnccs are mighty
neah uncannys they are. Tor a fact,
sun. This wire IL from her. What
| w f01 HdPR1tr ~ tayAs
OF course. the boss said he
couldn't suppose anything about II.
and the major went on
she tells me. In just seven words.
not 10 let you go TO Strathcona to
night. Now what do you make Of
that7 How on top OF Gods green
earth did she know. away off yon.
deb at the capital. that you were
meaning TO so to Stra,hcona 20.
night7"
Mr.. Norcross shook bis head
Then he said: There are wires
both kinds--iho I don't know why
anybody should telegraph or tele4
phone the capital that I expect 10
attend a mine-owners' meeting to
morrow morning in the big gold
camp. That's why I'm going. you
know"
But this warning the major In
sisted There's a reason for II.
Graham, as sure as you are bawn"
Again the boss shook his head.
Between you two. you and Sheila
I'm due 10 acquire case OF nerves.
I don't know what she has heard
but cant afford TO dodge a bust.
ness appointment I have wired the
Strathoona people that shall DO
there tomorrow morning. and It H.
too late to make other arrange.
ments. Sheila has merely overheard
an echo Of the threats that are CON
stantly being made by the Hatch
sympathizers. It's the aftermath
OF the election. but It's all tax
They're down and out. and they
haven't the nerve TO strike back
now"
That ended matters at the club
and the boss and / walked down 10
the headquarters. The special. with
Buck Chandler on the smart little
leight-wheeler that we always had
for the private.car trips. was wait
ing. and at the last minute thought
1 wasn't going 10 get to 70.
There's no need Of your putting
In a night on the road. Jimmie. ="
said the boss. with the kindly
thought for other peoples comfort
that never failed him. But after !
had begged a little, telling him that
he'd need somebody to take notes
in the mine meeting. he said. "All
right" and we got aboard and gave
the word 10 Maclise. the conductor.
TO get his clearance and go.
A few minutes later we pulled out
and the night run was begun. Like
every other car the boss had ever
owned, the "O5" was fitted up as a
working office. and since he had me