New Britain herald., 1923-06-18
NOW Go oN MIrH TnE sronY

Henry made his way 10 his fathers
 side, they withdrew 70 corner and
 bent their heads together, murmur-
 ing inaudihly, Gray watched them
 with nhhlinklng iniensityi he nodded 10 Buddy nriskow, and the latter, as fl needing some prearranged signal, removed his hands from his pockets and stepped farther Into The room. He. too. watched the aEiiatea pair.
 "why-leek here!'' The secretary Easped. after moment or two. '-This-this gives you eontrol'"
 Bell Nelson raised stricken face. 'control9" he repeated. faintly. Control'" He strode 10 the end Of the table, and with shaking hands he ran through the sheaf of neatly folded certificates. Sold out. by God!" He fell 10 oursing certain men. the names of whom caused ewope and Murphy and Gage to prick np their ears.
 Gray was still staring at the junior Nelson; 1t was to him more than to the father he spoke: Sold out is rightl It came high, but think 1t was worth the price. We intend to vote our stock."4
 By that I infer that you're going to take the bank over-take it's man. agsment away from Bell and Henry7" Bennett swope ventured.
 Naturally"
 The elder Nelson voiced an unin- telligible exclamation.
 That's a pretty rough deal. Bell has put his life into 1t. It Is an an institution, credit to the com munity. It would be misfortune if 1t fell into the hands of--into the control of somebody who" The ranchman hesitated. then blurted forth, angrily: Well, I don't like the look of this thing. I want to know what it means"
 "Ill tell you," Henry cried, uneven Iy. 'TIl tell you what 1t means. Persecution! Revenge! Hatred! l He's vindictive; he followed me here tried every way to ruin me-cost me thousands or dollars. Father and I were-we were pinched. We had to realize some quick money to pro- tect our oil hoIdings-offsets and the like-and we sold q lot of our stick with the understanding that we could that we would buy it back at a higher figure. We only borrowed on it. you might say-hypothecated 1t. We thought we were dealing with friends, but-Friends. My God." The | speaker seized his head.
 The stock was not hypothecated. You sold it. Gray said, quietly, "and we bought 1t in"
 Tt is all a personal matter, grudge."
 "1s that true, MT. Gray?" swope inquired.
 Substantially. But I'm waiting for Colonel Nelson to tell you more; to tell you the whole story of our an- tagonism."
 Martin Murphy. who had been silent onlooker up to this point, made himself heard. MT. Gray. I don't like the look of this any better than Swope does. You say you paid high for your stock; do you intend to wreck the institution, lose for tune-?"
 "I had ventured to hope that you three gentlemen would remain on the board"
 He doesn't want the bank" Henry Nelson exclaimed, hoarsely That's all a bluff. He wants his price. How much Gray? What'll it cost us?"
 "Oh, there is price for every thing! Mine will surprise you, how ever, 1t is so low. Cant you guess what 1t is?" The speakers intent raze had never left Henry Nelson's lace; it was fixed there now. as cold, IS relentless as the stare of python.
 Bell Nelson leaned forward, his lips parted, a new eagerness came into his purple countentnce. Well. well! What is it?" he demanded. querously. "vindication!"
 There was a moment of silence, What is he talking about, Henry?'