The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-05-23
Diamonds Of MalOpO


with me On a business basis, for we
understand each other very WELL
Dear me, are you quite sure you
know me, Mr.. GarrettT inquired the
judge biandly.
"It's immaterial."
"Quite So" responded Davis nodding
his head brislxly. "Then we will con-
duct our business on q business basis,
as you wish. So you couldn't raise
that capital in Malopo?"
"No, and you knew it all the time
II suspected It," the judge admitted.
you and l. my friend, know what
valuable property we own. But Ma
lopo doesn't know 1t. A little-just a
little more development. and l
shouldn't be surprised if we scoop up
the stones by the pailful. Kindly fill
out this transfer for thirty-three
shares, and I'll write you a check for
two thousand six hundred and forty
pounds. representing four-fifths of
their par value. I'll waive the brok-
ers fees. The money TO be repaid in
one month, or the shares to become the
property of the syndicate"
''Three months" corrected Winton-
"One month";" answered the judge
courteously. MY fraternal offer was
made soLae time ago, Mr.. Garrett"
Winton sat down at last and looked
at the judges shrewd old face. That
meant the certain loss OF his control
ling interest. All the rock that had
been brought up had already been
picked over. With only a months
grace, 1t was practically impossible
to hope to make repayment, unless
stone of great value should be discov-
cred.
That was the least likely thing in
the world. The diamonds, If diamonds
there were, were distributed at
deeper level, and it would mean
months before the diggers could reach
the matrix of the pipe In which they
lay.
Then II required weeks Of disintegra-
ton under sunlight before the rock
could be thoroughly broken up and
tested.
you might as well buy my shares
outright" said Winton angrily.
81 am willing" answered the judge.
mo, I'll accept your terms and make
a fight" said Winton. ITS a sort of
cat and mouse game, Judge Davis. II
l go ahead and develop l have to Dor
row from you; If don't you'll issue a
court injunction or whatever you call |
it, to compel me to-"
"You think / am unjust, Mr.. Gar
rettr'
Lets call it greedy, judge"
HAS it occurred to you, Mr.. Gar
rett. that the syndicate was the orig |
inal holder of the claim? We are only |
taking back what should never have /
passed out of our hands. You can sell
to US, or you can have run for your
money, my friend-a months rum"
'I'll rum" said Winton, putting has
name to the blank transfer.
The judge put 1t back in his desk.
"Mr. Garrett, you interest me very
much" ne said.
well, you interest me-" said Win
ton. "You are the most extraordinarily
brazen hypocrlte that l have ever met"
snow do you think that?" inquired
Judge Davis, apparently in surprise.
81 have heard that said about me be-
fore"
at didn't worry you, did it?"
''Not in the least, my friend. Hy-
pocrisy, young man, is mere tribute
to the forces that rule the world"
"What are they?"
Greed. selfishness, and Injustice"
you think there are no higher mo-
tives?" asked Winton, amazed at the
judges frankness.
Undoubtedly, my dear sir. Every
quality has its opposite. Of course. But
note this: the good qualities are those
Of the fools and failures"
"'What shall it profit man IL he
gain the whole world and lose his own
soulY"
"What shall 1t profit a man II, hav-
ng lost all that makes life dear, he
oses the rest7 Listen. young man
twenty-five years ago I was an ideal
site. middle-aged fool. Look !"
He opened drawer Of his desk and
pulled out a faded photograph of a
lonely young woman.
"A young man married and a young
nan marred," he said with a concen-
rated bitterness that astonished Win
on again. and touched his heart as
VEIL
The judges chest heaved, and he
pushed his throat convulsively out of
lis high collar. AS he did so Winton
aw a round scar, like bullet wound,
n the side Of his neck, of flaming
ed
"She left me for another man." said
he Judge. IF l had found him I
hould have killed him"
He took up the photograph and re-
laced it in the drawer. Winton had
ot spoken. .
II don't know why l told you this,
Dung man." he said. perhaps II is
ecause | find you interesting. You !
ave so little common sense, and yet
gu are not a fool. The money will be
epaid one month from today, or the
hares pass 10 the syndicate. / can
I