The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-07-28


stealings and acknowledgements, was
still good going proposition at the
price at which it had been bought in.
new board Of directors was chosen,
and as soon as the new board cot to.
gether, Mr.. Norcross went back to his
Office in the headquarters, not as gen
eral manager, this time-not on your
life but as the newly elected presi-
dent of Pioneer Short Line. And by
the same TOKEN the first official cir
cular that came Out-a copy of when
| sent, tied up with a blue ribbon, to
Maisie Ann--read like this:
"To all Employees:
EFFECTIVE this day, Mr.. James +.
Dodds is appointed assistant to the
president with headquarters in Portal
City.
&C. NorcrOss, President"
That's all; all but little talk be-
tween the boss and Mr.. Upton Van
Britt that took place in our office on
the day after Mr.. Van Britt, still kick.
ing about the hard work that the boss
was always piling upon him, had been
appointed general manager.
you've made the rifle, Graham
just as l said you would" said our
own and only millionaire, after he had
got through abusing the fates that
wouldn't 'at him 60 back east and play
with his coupon shears and his yachts
and polo ponies. You're going to
be the biggest man this side Of the
mountains, some day; and the day isn't
so very far off, either"
It was just here that the boss got
out Of his chair and walked to the
other end Of the room. When he came
back 1t was 10 say:
"You think l have won out, Up
ton, and so does everybody else. I
suppose it looks that way to the man
in the street. But Il haven't, you know.
l have lost the one thing for which
l would gladly give all the business
success l have ever made or hope to
make"
Mr., Van Britt's smile was more than
half a grin.
1T isn't lost, Graham: it's only gone
before. Can't you wait a decent lit
tie while?"
IF l should wait all my life it
wouldn't be long enough, Upton" was
the reply. "What you said to me
that time when we first spoke of Col.
lingwood-was true. You said she
loved the other man-and so she did"
This time Mr.. Van Britt's smile was
a whole grin.
II said it. and III say it again. She
didn't realize it or admit it, even to
herself, you know; she's too good and
clean.hearted for anything like that
But could see it plainly enough and
so could everybody else except the
two people most nearly concerned.
| didn't mean HOWE Collingwood: you
were the 'other man. Graham"
At this the boss whirled short
around and tramped to the other end
of the room again, standing for quite
a little while with one foot on the
low window.sill and making out like
he was looking down at the traffic
gathering along in Nevada avenue
But I'll bet quarter he never saw
a single wheel of it. When he came
back our way his eyes were shining
and he put his hand on Mr.. Van Britt's
shoulder.
1T ought to have been you, Uppy.'
he said, dropping back to the old col
>pge nickname. "Youre by long odds
the better man. When-when do YOU
think l might venture to take a little
run across to New York."
At that, Mr.. Van Britt laughed ou
loud. ...
"Ho! no" he said. Il suppose
ought to say a year. You can wal
one little year, can't you, Graham?"
"Not on your life!" rasped the boss
And then: "Tll tell you what I'll do
I'll compromise with the prophecies
or whatever 1t is that you're insisting
on. and make it six months. Blu
that's the limit-the absolute limit |!
And so it was.
(THE END.)