The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-10-13
CHAPTER xx-Continued.


that we're through with you. The
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, 1t wouldn't
have done. She's lucky TO have found
out in time"
as this a business rupture, too,
Mr.. WhitfOrd"
lust 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 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 IN
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 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 a fight
against him for control of the Bird
Cage company. The mine had been
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 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 Bromfeld in
charge the property might be wrecked
before he could be ousted
Dads worrying" Beatrice told
Lindsay. He's afraid he'll lose con-
troll of the mine. There's a fight on
against him."
What for? 1 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.
ly in business. you know"
1t was from Colin himself that Clay
learned the name of the traitor.
It's that fellow Bromfieid," he ex-
planned. Hes the secretary and Sec
ond largest stakeholder in the COM
pany. The annual election is to be to-
morrow afternoon. He's got me where
the swooPS short. / 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 mentioned
10 him before in the last twenty-four
hours by either Beatrice or her father
surely Bromfeld wouldn't want to
offend you"
That's exactly what he would want
TO do"
But"
He's got his reasons"
when is the election?'
AT three O'clock"
"WhereT'
AT the company Offices"
Perhaps if l talked with Brom-
field"
WhitfOrd laughed shortly. I'D talk
an arm off him if it 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 aues-
ton and found an answer that set
his heart singing. Beatrice had brok-
en- her engagement with BromfieId.
1t was little after eleven O'Clock
next morning when the cattIeman
walked into an apartment house for
bachelors, took the elevator, and rang
the bell at Bromfield's door.
Clarendon. fresh from the hands of
his valet, said he was glad to see
Lindsay, but did not look ii. He Of
fered his guest choice of liquors and
selected for himself a dry martini.
Cigars and cigarettes were within
reach on tabouret.
Clay discovered that one difficulty
he had expected to meet did not COM
plicate the problem. The valet had
left 10 select the goods for some Gus
tom-made shirts, Bromfield explained
"pologetieally, apropos of the lack of
service. He would not return till late
in the afternoon.
I've come TO see about that Bird
Cage business. Mr.. Bromfield," his Wis
itor explained. I've been millin' IL
over in my mind, and thought I'd