The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-07-07
Copyright By William AscL<od Hsins
CHAPTER xx-contlnued.

what I 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 IT? The engage
ment was a mistake in the first place.
Bee never loved you. Even If you'd
been what we thought you, 1t wouldn't
have done. She's lucky to have found
out In time"
us this a business rupture, too.
Mr.. Whitford7"
"Just as you say about that. Brom-
field. AS an investor In the Bird Cage
you're entitled to the same considera-
ton that n other stakeholder IS.
Since you're the second largest owner
you've a 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, and
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
a position to strike back hard If 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 un-
derworld where his influence had been
strong, it was known that Jerry had
begged off. 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 it 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 a fight
against him for control of the Bird
Cage company. The mine had been
developed by the Coloradoan from an
unlikely prospect into a well-paying
concern. 1t was the big business
venture of his life and he took a strong
personal interest In running 1t. Now,
because of Bromfeld's intention to use
for bis 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 ousted.
"Dad's worrying" Beatrice told
Lindsay. Hes afraid he'll lose con-
troll of the mine. There's a fight ON
against him."
"What fort / thought yore father
was a mighty competent operator.
Don't the stockholders know when
they're well Off"
She looked at him systematically.
"Some one he trusted has turned out
a traitor. That happens occasional
iy In business. you know"
II was from Colin himself that Clay
learned the name of the traitor.
'It's that fellow Bromfield," he ex-
planned. Hes the secretary and Sec
0nd largest stakeholder In the COM
psny. The annual election Is to be to-
morrow afternoon. He's got me where
the wool's short. l 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 1t. He's
going to name the board of directors
and have himself made president"
: Clay ventured on hin ice. The name
of Bromfield had not been mentioned
TO 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
to do"
But"
Hes got his reasons"
when is the election?"
AT three CLOCK
"Where?'
AT the company Offices"
Perhaps II | talked with Brom-
field"
Whitford laughed shortly. "Td talk
arm of him If 1t would do any good.
But it won't. He's out for revenge"
Clay's eyes alighted swiftly on the
older man. They asked gravely a ques-
tion and found an answer that set
his heart singing. Beatrice had brok-
her engagement with Bromfield.
II was a little after eleven o'clock
morning when the cattleman
into an apartment house for
bachelors, took the elevator, and rang
he bell Mt Bromfield's door.
Clarendon. fresh from the hands of
ais valet, said he was glad to see
but did not look 1t. He of