The Dolores star., 1924-01-18
CHAPTER i-Continued.

p
He had no answer ready, and she
went on a moment Inter 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 nny 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.
az we've found in anybody. II he
treats me as a 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 u certain
ing away at 1t 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 thrse last years.
because he began by getting the bet
ter Of 1t. Well-ot course, didn't
begin that way. And until John
showed me this chance today at lunch,
better Of II. short of retiring on a
wretched little pension when was
slxty-five or so. too old to have any
life left. This thing. of course. may
fall. suppose you're right. that it's
more than likely to. But. If II doesn't.
it's a way out. It's chance to live
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 tie next afternoon was
SO far as Its actual proceedings went.
a dull affair. the Inevitable legal hocus-
pocus occupying most of the time
Two lawyers were present; man
named Nathan. who seemed to be
Greer's attorney. and. across the table
young Craig from Aldrich's office. who
acted at first as secretary of the
meeting. Sometimes they differed SOL
EMMY and. 1t seemed to Henry. inter-
mlnnbly. over trivial matter of
phraslng Sometimes one OF the prin-
clpals took hand. Once Henry heard
Craig say to John Williamson: "Mr
Aldrich will accept this. He gave me
q special memorandum on It," II
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
ished. To Henry. trying hard to keep
awake. this seemed mildly ludicrous.
But Greer sprang sensation along
in the middle of the meeting. OF the
permanent directors. three. by agree
ment. were to he elected at his nom-
inatlOn: 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, go on as a directors
meeting. John turned to Greer and
asked:
where is Macarthur? II he's to
be secretary he ought to be here to
take charge of the minutes. Can you
get hold Of him?''
Grcer's answer was to tilt back In his
chair and. reaching around without
rising. press a button on his desk
Henry guessed in that instant, from
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 companie.
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. Cree
glanced around from one set. seriou:
face to the next with an open grin.
The door opened just then. and sh,
came in. They all got up. of course
and Greer introduced them around
Her manner. If not her appearance
was Immediately reassuring. She tool
young Craig's chair at Greers righ
hand. Two or three cleanly directed
questions and cursory look through
his notes put her abrenst of the situa
tiOn. She knew her business; S,
much was easy to see.
Yet she was not. Henry felt. quit
the type of business woman he wa
acquainted with. Her dress had I
somewhat mannish air which they. a
rule. are careful - avoid.
When the meeting broke up. Henry
delay. occupied by the meticulous ad
Justment Of his munier before putin
on his overcoat. gave Miss Macarthur
an opportunity. almost an Invitation
perhaps. to come w and speak to hin