The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-11-17

II ION u See Why piVtSStNV 1865
field. "As a man of the world"
"If you don't see the reason I'm
not able to explain II to you" Whit
ford's fingers found what they were
looking for. He fished a ring from
his pocket and put 1t on the desk.
Beatrice asked me to give you this"
II don't think that's fair. II she
wants to throw me over she ought to
tell me her reasons herself"
"She's telling them through me.
don't want to be more explicit unless
you force me-"
"Of course I'm not good enough,
know that. No mans good enough
for a good woman. But I'm as good
as other fellows. We don't claim to
be angels. New York doesn't sprout
| wings"
"I'm not going to argue this with
you. And I'm not going to tell you
what think of you beyond saying
that we're through with you. The
less said about 1t the better. Man,
don't you see don't want to have
any more talk about it7 The engage
ment was q mistake In the first place.
Bee never loved you. Even II you'd
been what we thought you, 1t wouldn't
have done. She's lucky to have found
out In time"
as this a business rupture, too,
MFR. Whitfordi"
aust as you say about that, Brom'
field. AS an investor In the Bird Cage
you're entitled to the same considera-
ton that any other stakeholder is.
Since you're the second largest owner
you've q right to recognition on the
board Of directors. I'm not mixing
my private affairs with business"
Bromfield rose, pulled on the glove
he had removed, nodded goodbye
without offering TO shake hands, ana
sauntered out Of the office. There
was a look on his face the mining man
did not like. 1t occurred to Whitford
that Clarendon, now stripped Of self
, respect by the knowledge Of the re-
gard In which they held him, was In
position to strike back hard IL he
cared TO do so. The right to vote the
proxies of the small stockholders OF
the Bird Cage company had been made
out In his name at the request OF the
president OF the corporation.
The case against Durand was pigeon
: holed by the district attorney with
out much regret. All through the I'M
: derworld where his influence had beer
: strong, II was known that Jerry hat
begged off. He was discredited among
his following and was politically
down-and-outer. But he knew to'
much to permit him to be dragged
into court safely. With his back t
i the wall he might tell of many shad!
j.. transactions duplicating prominen
70 people. There were strong influences
which did not want him pressed to-
hard. The charge remained on tn
docket hut II was set back from tern
!" to term and never brought to trial.
> Colin Whltford found his attentio
~ pretty fully absorbed by his own al
fairs. Bromfield had opened a figh
~ against him for control OF the Biz
:. Cage company. The mine had bee
u developed by the ColOradoan from a
unlikely prospect into well-payin
t.. concern. II was the big bushes
venture of his life and he took stron
Id personal interest in running 1t. Nov
O. because of Bremfield's intention to us
m for his own advantage the proXie
made out In his name, he was likel
I'd to lose control. With Bromfield |
lg charge the property might be wrecke
I'd before he could be ousted.
IT. Dads worrying" Beatrice tol
Sc Lindsay. Hes afraid he'll lose col
IN troll of the mine. There's a fight o
lie against him."
it. "What for? thought yore fatht
or was a mighty competent operate
IT, Don't the stockholders know whe
" they're well OFF,
he She looked at him enlgmaticall
n "Some ore he trusted has turned o,
a traitor. That happens occasiono
he ly In business. you know"
II was from Colin himself that CT;
at learned the name of the traitor.
Mt "It's that fellow Bromfeld," he G
planned. Hes the secretary and sc
ond largest stakeholder In the col
pany. The annual election is to be
morrow afternoon. He's got me whe
the woods short. l was fool enoul
to ask. the smaller stockholders
make out their proxies In his nan
At that time he was hand in glo
III with us. Now I'm up against 1t. He
II going to name the board of directo
II and have himself made president"
Clay ventured on thin ice. The mar
of BrOmiield had not been mention
to him before in the last twenty-fo
hours by either Beatrice or her faith
Surely Bromtield wouldn't want
II offend you"
y That's exactly wha: he would wa
i to do"
4 But"
"a He's got his reasons"
"a "When Is the electionT
VA AT three o'clock"
n where's"
Z AT the company Offices"
"Perhaps If | talked with Bro
field"
Whltford laughed shortly. I'D Il