The Holbrook news., 1922-09-15
CHAPTER xx-Continued.

CHAPTER xx-continued.
 -13-
 ~I'm not going to argue this with you. And I'm not going to tell you what l think of you beyond saying that we're through with you. The less said about 1t the better. Man. don't you see I don't want to have any more talk about it? The engage ment was a mistake in the first place. Bee never loved you. Even if you'd been what we thought you, it wouldn't have done. She's lucky to have found out fin time."
 "Is this business rupture, too, Mir. Whitford?"
 Just as you say about that, Brom- field. As an investor in the Bird Cage you're entitled to the same considera- tion that any other stockholder 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 WttnOut OIcfllle tO Slldhc udhus. anu sauntered out of the office. There was look on his face the mining man did not like. It occurred to Whitford E that Clarendon. now stripped of self respect by the knowledge of the re- gard in which they held him. was in a position to strike back hard if he cared to do so. The right to v0te 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 hoied by the district attorney with out much regret. All through the un- derwOrld where his influence had been strong, 1t was known that Jerry had begged of. He was discredited among his following and was politically a down-and-outer. But he knew too much to permit him to be dragged into court safely. With his back to the wall he might tell of many shady transactions duplicating prominent people. There were strong influences which did not want him pressed too hard. The charge remained on the docket, but 1t was set back from term to term and never brought to trial.
 Colin .Whitford found his attention pretty fully absorbed by his own af- fairs. Bromfield had opened fight against him for control of the Bird Cage company. The mine had been developed by the Coloradoan from an unlikely prospect into well-paying concern. It was the big business venture of his life and he took a strong personal interest in running it. Now. because of Bromfield's intention to use for his own advantage the proxies made out in his name, he was likely to lose control. With Bromfield in charge. the property might be wrecked before he could be busted.
 Dads worrying" Beatrice told Lindsay. Hes afraid he'll lose con- trol of the mine. There's fight on against him."
 "What for? I thought yore father was mighty competent operator Don't the stockholders know when they're we'll off?"
 She looked at him enigmatically. Some one he trusted has turned out traitor. That happens occasional ly in business. you know"
 It was from Colin himself that Clay learned the name of the traitor.
 Its that fellow BrOmfeld," he ex- nlaina6 sInts hn Ond largest stOckhOlder in the con- pany. The annual election is to be to- morrow afternoon. He's got me where the wOol's short. I was fool enough to ask the smaller stockholders to make out their proxies in his name. At that time he Was hand in glove with us. Now I'm up against it. He's going to name the board of directors and have himself made president"
 Clay ventured on thin ice. The name Of BrOmfield had not been mentione,! Co him before in the last twenty-four hours by either Beatrice or her father "Surely Bromfield wouldn't want to offend you"
 That's exactly what he would want iv do."
 "But-"
 Hes got his reasons"
 ''When is the election?"
 At three o'clock"
 "where?"
 -At the company offices"
 "Perhaps if talked. with Brom- field
 Whitford laughed shortly. I'd talk aB arm of him if 1t would do any good. Bat it won't. He's out for revenge.-
 .lay's eyes alighted swiftly on the oider man. They asked gravely a ques- t,On and found an answer that set hts heart singing Beatrice had brok- I ell her engagement with Bromfield.
 It was little after eleven o'clock h1xt morning when the cattleman walked into an apartment house for bachelors. took the elevator. and rang tie bell at BrOmfield's door.
 Clarendon. fresh from the hands of hs valet. said he was glad to see Lindsay. but did not look it. He of feretl his guest choice of liquors and selected for himself a dry martini. Cigars and cigarettes were within reach on a tabOuret.
 Clay discovered that one difficulty he had expected to meet did not con- plicate the problem. The valet had left to select the goods for some GUS tom-made shirts, Bromfield explained apologetically. aprOpos of the lack of