The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-02
Chapter IS TOM BEvlNS SPEAKS

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 J the small hat and the beruffied Jacket and with il some of her girl lshness. In the plain cream blouse her hair drawn smoothly back in Q coil. she looked more the efficient secretary they had seen at previous board meetings.
 Before going into this. MT. Chair man, l wish to ask one favor. Will you please look upon me as secre- tary to the late MT. Bevins, not as the wife of a member of your legal department?
 "At the time 1 received the orders from MT. Bevins pertaining to the dam and to be executed in case of his death, was not married l went to his physician. Doctor Kenneth Kelly, to learn the seriousness of his condition.
 Doctor Kelly assured me that MT. Bevins had every chance to live t. be hundred, if he took a reason able amount of care of his health Because of this assurance. went on with my marriage, which had sincerely hoped would not be thrown from it's normal course by my return to business"
 She sat down, conscious that sev eral stockholders were looking al her with new respect. Then Morton Lampere began to talk and her al t1ntion was literally riveted to his, message.
 "As everyone present knows, our dearly beloved colleague. so recent |, departed, left five million dollars with this little lady" He paused i'm pressively. "He also left her the con trolling interest in the Bevins Con struction Company" Another pause
 Judith controlled an impulse to demand why she had not been called into the closed meeting if she held this power.
 Prior to his departure from this world, the old gentleman had begun tho development of the hobby of his life. the building of the Rio Diablo Dam. During the survey, word came to me that he was making a vital mistake, that due to certain phases 0. the river bed understandable to engineers only. it was not advisable to follow the natural bed but start an artificial channel through virgin land.
 "Bevins refused to listen to req son and as result we, the stock holders, may suffer complete loss of our investment.
 "In an effort to avert this calam ity, we the remaining members oi the board. ask you. Mrs. Dale. tc relinquish your claim on the money left for the purpose of erecting the dam. that we may carry on this worl in a safe and sane manner, and 1T accordance with the advice of oul finest engineers.
 We are willing to give you time for your decision"
 You needn't" Judith was stand ing, eyes bright. You may have i now!"
 "DoN'T be hasty." warned Morton D Lampere.
 "Hasty-" Judith's voice was low controlled. MT. Lampere, the deci sion was made for me by Mr. Bevin! on the night of August 25th. He fore saw all of this. He even knew tha you would be the one to lead the fin surrection.
 "Mr. Lampere, under no condition will resign!" Judith sat down. trembling witt emotion, but with her mind alert She saw Mathile whisper to Norman but Norman did not seem to hear His face was haggard and Juditl cried in her secret heart for the pail she was causing him.
 You have made that final, Mrs Dale," observed Lampere with sal isfaction. Now kindly accept tn unanimous resignation of your boar and the withdrawal of your stock holders"
 "The resignations and the witl 
 drawal are accepted" agreed Judith and turned to the men who wer watching her with different expre. sions. May l ask what you wish | do with your stock?"
 ''l'd like to get my money whil the gettin's good" remarked on man.
 If you will make an appointmen with my secretary. 1 will attend [ that" interposed Judge Morgan.
 And now. gentlemen" said Judg Morgan, q would like to read a me- sage to you from this man whoI you admired and respected durin his life"