The Holly chieftain., 1924-01-24
CHAPTER i-continued.

NH\F Eh i-Contlnu0o.
p
He had no answer ready, and she
went on a moment later to add the
capstone to the fanciful edifice. How
do you know" she asked. that there
isn't some one else he wants your
place in the bank for?"
Il haven't any proof that he doesn't"
he said then. gently. But that
doesn't square with his history. He's
shown US as much real kindness and
goodwill, during the last fifteen years.
as we've found in anybody. If he
treats me as pawn it's because that's
what l really anon the business
chess.board."
You're three times as intelligent
as he is," she protested.
$50 was father" he reminded her.
Intelligence isn't the thing they play
this game with. 1t wants q certain
stupidity. really, to keep you MUNICH
ing away at it all day long like one
Of Johns Holsteins. Father couldn't
do that; couldn't keep his mind on it.
He didn't hate 1t until th~se last years.
because he began by getting the bet
ter Of 1t. Well-of course, didn't
begin that way. And until. John
showed me this chance today at lunch.
1t looked as II I never would get the
better of it. short of retiring on a
wretched little pension when l was
sixty-hve or SO. too old to have any
life left. This thing, Of course. may
fail. suppose you're right. that it's
more than likely to. But, II 1t doesn't,
it's way out. It's a chance to live
q little. while I've still got some
thing"
He pulled up short. He'd communed
with himself In this strain often
enough. but he'd never heard himself
saying such things aloud.
The meeting the next afternoon was.
so far as Its actual proceedings went,
dull affair, the inevitable legal hocus-
pocus occupying most Of the time.
Two lawyers were present; a man
named Nathan, who seemed to be
Greer's. attorney, and, across the table,
acted ut first as secretary of the
meeting. Sometimes they differed SOL
emnly and. 1t seemed to Henry, inter-
minably, over trivial matter Of
phrasing. Sometimes one Of the prin-
cipals took hand. Once Henry heard
Craig say to John Williamson: "Mr.
Aldrich will accept this. He gave me
might. from the solemnity with which
he spoke. have been special tablet
from Mount Sinai, and John nodded
with an air of complete satisfaction.
his momentary uneasiness quite ban
iahed. To Henry, trying hard to keep
awake, this seemed mildly ludicrous.
But Greer sprang a sensation along
in the middle Of the meeting. OF the
permanent directors. three, by agree
ment, were to be elected at his nom-
nation: himself, Of course; his law
yer, Nathan, and J. Macarthur. who
was. also by agreement, to be made
secretary Of the company. When the
election had taken place and they
were ready to 60 on as a directors
meeting. John turned to Greer and
asked:
where Is Macarthur If he's to
be secretary he ought to be here to
take charge of the minutes. Can you
get hold Of him"
Greer's answer was to tilt back In his
chair and. reaching around without
rising, press button on his desk.
Henry guessed in that instant, from
a CLEAN in his eye. that something
was going to happen.
When an office boy answered the
buzzer. Greer said. ASK Miss MacAr-
thur to come in"
Well. there was nothing unprece-
dented about 1t, of course Plenty of
women were directors Of companies
, and officers. too, But that they should
have been led into electing her In the
dark like this gave them sense of
having been tricked. John and Greg
ory Corbett looked pretty blank. Greer
glanced around from one set. serious
face to the next with an open grin.
The door opened just then. and she
came in. They all got up. of course.
and Greer introduced them around.
Her manner, If not her appearance.
was Immediately reassuring. She took
young Craig's chair at Greer's right
hand. Two or three cleanly directed
questions and cursory look through
his notes put her abreast Of the sltua-
tlon. She knew her business; SO
much was easy to see.
Yet she was not. Henry felt. quite
the type Of business woman he was
acquainted with. Her dress had
. somewhat mannish air which they. as
rule, are careful - avoid.
When the meeting broke up, Henry's
{ delay, occupied by the meticulous ad-
1ustment of his muffier before putting
on his overcoat. gave Miss Macarthur
IAN opportunity, almost an invitation,
perhaps, to come VI and speak to him.