The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-06-11

have been the act OF a mailman OF
"a fool. Under no circumstances
could ho conceive OF himself warn
ing an enemy of his intentions. on
the contrary. when DE undertook
TO crush rival be- went about it
slyly. secretly. ig the only regular
and proper way. Az "a matter Of
fact. Il had como as Disagree.
able surprise TO learn that his
former comradc az arms cherished
any resentment whatever toward
him. FOR ho had thought hts tracks
were well covered.
What LOFT the banker actually
gasping. however, that which he
came hack TO with unfaillng aston,
ishmcnt was Gray's cffrontcry in
coming 20 Wichita Falls Co boast OF
his accomplishments That bespoke
such contempt, such supreme SELF.
confidence In his ability To wrcak
further damage. that Nelson wanted
10 shout aloud his rage and his dc.
fiancc.
Following tho departure OF his
two callers on that day OF the meet.
Ing la the bank. Nelson closed his
desk and went home. lie could work
no more. For several days horc,
after he was an unpleasant person TO
do business with.
on mature consideration. what
amazed him as much as anything
else was the fact that Gray had
made good IN so short time and
In such big way. Evidently. how
ever Il was only another story OF
a lucky break and an overnight FOR
tuna common occurrence these
days, But IL was doubly unfortuu.
alto under tho circumstances. Tor al.
ready Nelson was carrying a load
equal 10 his strength. and he told
himself that he could not afford 10
he distracted. even temporarily. by
the irresponsible actions OF a mani
&C. one never could tell what a
mailman would do. And Cray had
confessed himself "A mRdman-a n
matte OF The most dangerous type
There was but one course OF nc.
ton open--viE., 10 eliminate him
destroy him without delay. That
was no easy task. even In these
lawloss times, but the stakes were
too high 10 permit OF half meas.
ures, There must be way.
ono would have 90 be- careful. oil
course, not 10 put oneself too much
In tho power OF unscrouploua PEG
pie. and. alasl the world was fui
OF INSCRIPTIONS people. II was
a pity that people could be 70 un
scrupulous an 20 take advantage oil
a bargain made in good faith. That
WIS blaekmail However. the pres
tiEe OF the Nelson name was great
the power OF It's money was potent
and Henry believed that he coult
protect himself from cventunlltles
After cautious delibention no sont
word 10 one OF his men in IN,
Ranger field that he wished TO se,
him.
The man came promptly. and
when he left Henry Nelson's hous,
after conference he carried Will
him perfectly clear idea why h
had been sent for. This despite IN,
fact that he had not been told In
80 many words Ho knew. for In
stance. that n certain Calvin Gras
had become a menace TO his EN-
ploycrs. 80 dangerous that Il wai
l worth 10 them substantial fortune
10 be rid OF him. and that whil'
Henry Nelson could under no cir
curnstanecs coun,cnanco anything
Illegal. anything ravoring Of VIC
lencc. nevertheless II some accident
should hefgii Gray. II some act o.
God should put au end 10 him
there would be no disposition OF
Hcrry's part 10 question the divln,
origin Of that calamity. Further
more. the speaker had mado Il plalS
that II Providence did tRkc n hant
In some such mysterious manner
he would then be In a position
amply TO reward his employe fol
many acts OF loyalty that had an
parcntiy passed vnrccognixcd. TO
instance. profitable deals we're for
ever coming up. new acreage wa
| constantly being acquired. and 1
would be easy TO carry third parts
for an interest which was boun,
to make TINT third party rich
All this was expressed with admir-
able vagueneas. but the man under
stood.
+ So much accomplished. Nclaoi
went to Dallas and there undertook
TO learn something about the size o
Calvin Gray's profits. who was be
hin dhlm and tho extent OF thcL
backing. and what his prospect
were. Hhe followed every aveuu
/ OF information. he even went so fa
/ as 10 hire an investigator and sem
him north TO look up Gray's recor,
and TO follow his tracks az far bacl
as possible. Nelson was rsconnoii
ering behind the enemy's lines AM
testing the strength OF his position
/ When he returned home Gray wa
gone, whittier he could not learn
AS the days passed without furthe
Developments. Nelson began 10 be
iicve that he had had bad dream
and that Gray had merely beer
talking TO hear his own voice. III
dcvoutly hoped that such woul