Montgomery County sentinel., 1926-11-12

his heavy Iowl set in a sneerlng smile,
STOOD Gregory himself
"Well, sir !" said Allan, rising
This Is bad news about Mr. Smith,"
said the boss.
81 should hardly expect yeu to take
1t that way, SIR" suggested Allan.
The old boss took chair at his
side, 80 you are the young man that
has been holding me up before the
public gaze as scoundrel - he said.
81 am, sir" answered Allan, "and
believe conscientiously that"
The boss laid hand on his arm.
Nov, II | had young man like
you with me-" he said, "what wouldn't
be able to do?"
81 can't be bought. Mr.. Gregory"
said Allan
81 don't need to buy you, my boy"
answered the other. AT least, | don't
think | do. But Smith can't talk, and
what's the good of owning hlm?"
81 don't understand" Allan began.
II know you don't" answered the
other, 81 never thought you did from
NhV iOhl liN
ring Of truth; his didn't. Well then,
my frlend-Jlm Smith started this pa
per to get bought out. Understand
that? wouldn't buy at his price. I
didn't believe he could hurt me- He
could. was wrong for once In
my life. When came up to his terms
he went higher. So we played teeter
till four weeks before election day.
Yesterday we agreed on terms. And
this is my paper"
Allan listened In horror, and grad
ually he began to understand many
things that had been mysteries to
him. No wonder Smith had encour-
aged him to write more stlnglng In
vectlve-till that same morning.
You will show me the agreement"
suggested Allan.
"Mr. Gray" said the boss, 81 never
BLUM. 1t wasn't signed by Mr.. Smith
He was to have signed In my office
today, after lunch"
"Then," said Allan calmly, 81 shall
run the paper alone. shall be true
to what believed my employers
principles to be-"
"Wait minute" said Gregory pull
ing letter out of his pocket. Read
this-not so close, young man. Do
you think this letter, offering to ac-
cept my terms would read well In the
newspapers2 And this. you see, is
signed"
Yes, that was Smiths signature.
Allan sank back helplessly In his
chair. He could say nothing more.
Now, my young friend" Gregory
continued, "how much influence do
you suppose will remain to Smiths
Weekly when this letter Is published
and you are Jointly involved with our
friend In what you would call a
shameless conspiracy'T
"None," admitted Allan.
"Then," said the boss, twill you sus-
pend publication or drag dying
mans name down to infamy to gain
reputation for sincerity In which no
one will believer"
Allan thought hard. Then, 81 will
suspend for that letter." he answered.
ANOW gDu lt AulhihE StHS't
swered the boss And he placed the
letter In Alan's hands. He knew that
he had not mlsjudged his man.
There was good deal OF quiet Talk
about Smith during the period preced-
ing the elections. The story Of his
dishonesty became gradually known.
But nobody ever suspected the lnteg-
rlty of Allan Gray.
That, doubtless, was why he se-
cured the election as sheriff by ma
jOrity OF nearly four hundred votes.
And that, too, was why he was en-
abled to write to Mildred just two
days afterward "Come, dearest" he
said.
And when he saw Gregory among
the spectators at the wedding he did
not feel anything but gOodfellowship
He even took the boss hand
Ex-boss, rather. For Gregory would
never hold power In Bender again,
even though Smiths Weekly had per
lshed.