Rockingham post-dispatch., 1922-11-02
Durant Meets His
Master
By MORRIS SCHULTZ

Within call of his push buttons lie had
his secretary, his confidential secre-
tary, his manager, his stelfograBher.
The desk was absolutely clean, which
generally signifies that its possessor
has too much responsibility fora lit
ter of papers. John Durant's mind,
however, was litter of perplexities.
For twelve years no one had ser-
ously challenged Durant in his special
branch Of the financial field. AS an
expert on copper propos- tions he was
unrivaled. Now, overnight, some one
had arisen who was beating him at
his own game.
He was underselling and outbidding |
him, he had his finger on the erratic
pulse Of the copper market, in short.
Durant had met bis master. What |
had seemed presumptuous challenge |
three months before had become an |
ominous, threatening tragedy. Durant
saw bankruptcy ahead Of him.
Who was the fellow? All his most
skilled investigators were at fault.
Somewhere man was sitting in an
office, playing him move for move.
checking, pursuing him. Checkmate
vas near. .arS--,. .-,.as>j
And he thought bitterly: "n Phil
had stuck to me! Phil had the sort
of head I need now that I'm growing
old"
Phil was his son. He had shown
signs Of genius. The father had been
SO proud of him. But the boy had
been erratic. He had been mixed up
in scrapes. John Durant had sent
him to his copper properties. The boy
had wasted his time. He had ended
by marrying the daughter Of one Of
his submnnagers. John Durant had
cut him out Of his life, closed his
heart against him. -
The bitterness lay in the fact that
Phil had genius. None knew that 80
we'll as the father. If only Phil had
stuck to him! Good Lord, the boy
had thrown away opportunities that
any man might have envied.
The stenographer entered bearing a
card. John Durant glanced at it. 1t
was his sons.
"Tell him can't see himw he an
swered determinedly.
"Mr. Durant, he insists on seeing
yOu," said the girl. He says he won't
leave unless you give him an inter-
view."
John Durants face hardened "ShOw
him inw he commanded.
He tried to appear impassive, but
his heart was humping as the figure
entered the room. Phil, whom he had
not seen for years! Furtively he
scrutinized him. The boy had not
changed at all. He was still the ire
sponsIhle boy. he had always been.
Good God, if he could have used that
head Of his! Johns heart grew bit
ter as gall.
"I told YOU four years ago that I
had finished with you" he cried,
pounding the deSF with his fist "
have given you every opportunity Of
making good. You chose to idle away
your time. You married a common
woman"
Enough of that!" The ringing
tones of Pills voice SURPRISED old
John.
"Well, well, I shouldn't have said
that" he admitted.
'As good a woman as my mother.
You have never seen her."
what do you want? have no
money for you. You will have to
make your OWL showing in the world.
have given yOu--"
II want no charity. | want to tell
you that you have yourself to thank
for your present situation. When I
was in POcorah | was not SO idle as
you supposed. l took it upon myself
to learn the tracings of the ores.
know good deal more than you give
me credit for. Then you sent me to
the Great Altior. Same thing there"
A great light came to John Durant.
"You-you mean to tell me that my
own son is traitor?' he demanded.
THAT you-you have sold me, fur
nished information TO that man--that
man-T'-
Every secret of yours that he pos
sesses came from me-" responded Phil
coldly. at only remains for me to
furnish him with the secret estimate
of reserve ores compiled by"
"Blackmail, eh? Name your price"
"Three hundred thousand"
Durant smiled and got up. He laid
his hand upon the others shoulder
with grip that made him vince.
Son." he said, .'the man who can
blackmail old John Durant hasn't
been born. Run back; tell him
don't do that kind of business"
Father"
Something in the tone made old
John look at him keenly.
'"This man--whom you don't know
do YOU want his name? It is my.
self! All that ] have done was to,
convince you that was worthy Of
your confidence. All my oppositicnI