The Washington times., 1921-03-15
By Jane Mclean.

by Jane McLedn.
WI YITH some misgiving Peter
Wtold Clare the result of hi.
w conversation with Mr.. Dar-
ley. They were both nervous. 1t
seemed that Darley would do
something, but what neither had
the remotest idea.
"What did he want our address
for?' asked Clare.
II guess we'll have to wait to
fnd out" Peter answered. And
till we do And out we'd better
stay close"
Glare unrolled the wedding GER
tificate and spread 1t before him.
We've always got this" she said.
Yes. my dear, we have. I'm
sorry l couldn't have had G-real
wedding for you. but that's the
best l could do"
"Oh. you don't think I care for
the other thing, do your" she cried,
throwing her arms about his neck
and kissing him. mo, 1 don't.
Peter, I've got you and that's
present enough for me-"
Christopher barley did not waste
time after he had heard from
Peter. Indeed. he had been busy
before. He was fully alive to the
possible trouble that faced his ex-
. butler, and he felt it his duty to
see that he won clear.
He. ~catled on the chief of police
and explained the situations the
chief was rather skeptical.
You're human being" said
Darley. Here's a chap who told
me his story. 1 gave him the bene-
ft Of the doubt. I let him stay in
my house, believing he'd keep his
word. And then Mr.. Slower in
jected himself into the scene. In
some way Peter discovered Mr..
Slower was using a certain paper
to try to blackmail me. I want
you to have all the facts"
A TRICK.
That's a pretty strong word"
said the chief.
We'll, suppose a man came to
you and threatened to ruin your
business unless you compelled
your daughter to marry him. what
would you call itT'
-pd call 1t joke" said the chief.
How could Slower ruin your busi-
ness? Why, it's as solid as Gov
ernment bond"
That's what thought and SO 1t
Is I've refused every effort to
make me sell. I could get out at
a big profit, but l had the small
stockholders to consider, and,
whether you believe it or not, j re-
gard their interests as my inter-
ests."
The chief suddenly evidenced an
unusual attention. Il heard you'd
had offers to SELL" he ventured.
-Those offers came from Slower.
He's got a minority holding. 1 SAID
no! SO what does he do? Sends an
agent to my brother, who's in the
middle of Africa. somewhere, and
gets him to sign a proxy allowing
the voting OF his stock. / couldnt
foresee anything like that, could
"Oh. so that was the trick, chr
-That was the trick. That proxy
was obtained from a man who'd sign
anything without looking. Who'd
believe anything anybody told him.
1t gave Stover the big end OF the
stick. and he threatened to use it,"
"You spoke about the small
stockholders" said the chief. was
he planning to look out for them"
"T'lI leave that to you. They
were to get stock in the new trust
and he was to get cash. Now
draw your own infercnces."
The chief whistled under his
breath. He knew Stover, but so
far he hadn't connected him with
manipulations on a big scale
IT know you can get Mendoza
said Darley. T can give you my
word that I hadn't the faintest idea
what he was up to. I'd already
told Slower to go ahead; that I'd
take my medicine"
But you asked him in to meet
your guestsr
"Yea. after Peter had 6rought .
fnase message from my daughter
requestfne him to remain
Il get Il" saad the chief. Wen.
Rx. D011oX you leave this 10 me
/ Aonx ehfnk that young fellow will
hxN0 aHyfhiaG to fear from the po-s
Nee Of this town. but how aDout
yoW frfends7 Slower. ns's mad
right through Who's going TO
square hfm7
DARInr ,FyArrED.
& Z might trx 20 do that ss,s
Dss44x. @ru, .ak I may induce him
\ fpneep .1n..xs nry wHy..
S9~~6 nsscx % yuu.~ saSd She chief
- AsUx DtiGsd telling you that rve
ansa0s tried tD be on the lo~ei my
D1sR snd most OF my spare cash u
imssshed in your stock"
Darsey smiled n be stopped tnho
ASo ear and dtrcched his chaufe To
tako HIM - stovers Office
That gentleman was busy. Darfey
cooled his heels In tho ante-room
and waited. He was smiling when
he entered Stover's office. The big
mans maneuvers amused him. He
did not look MP at once. and when
he did he appeared surprised
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