Evening star., 1934-03-20
CHAPTER VIII.

LAMPERE > PIOI.
YUDITH LANE, lightly astonished
at the change ella Sanford had
evoked in her appearance with
~ rufflles, peach powder and
rouge, stared into the state
room mirror and digested the fact
that the girl who practically owned
this yacht (Big Toms interest was
merely paying maintenance bills)
hoped to marry Norman Dale.
And then her attention was rudely
switched from her own personal feel
ings to concern over her chief.
1T happened this way" ella set
tied into a deep chair and lighted
cigarette with a deliberation which
Judith recognized as a forerunner Of
something important:
Lefty Garfield decided to take a
postgraduate course in matrimony
and was sent over to the court house
to check on her first mistake. 1t was
closing time, but slipped in and
promised to latch the door when I
left You know how those files are,
don't you? If ever want to commit
murder, I'll hide the victim in there
20 1IGe JllG l6SL VI lily udyS.
IT was back of one tending to Let
tvs business when 1 heard voices. I
peeked around and found that Morton
Lampere and Judge Maritellan had
sfinnied in through the crack of the
door and were doing a confidential.
They looked so guilty I felt duty
bound to find out what they were
talking about. This was it: Lampere
was trying to force Maritellan to get
some friend Of his in Rio Mar County
to issue an injunction against the sale
of any additional dam property to
your boss"
"Oh. :" Judith had forgotten
Norman, the yacht, her lovely frock.
She was the stenographer ready to act
as medium between Big Tom and a
danger which threatened his dam.
But, ella, I'm sure he bought all
that was necessary; bought the dam
site from the State for delinquent taxes
last Winter and the limitation date
has already passed, so they can't
question his ownership of that.
AT the same time he bought all
land deserted by the home seeking
owners for delinquent taxes in order
to protect those very home-seekers.
After the irrigation is available they
may have their land back. providing
they will live on it and cultivate it,
by simply paying what Big Tom paid
the State"
wouldn't Lampere know all of
that?"
of course. I have it" Judith,
who had sat down opposite her friend,
arose. Its the new dam . the
upper one. ella, trust you implicitly
or I wouldn't think out loud. For
scme reason Lampere is trying to
check Big Toms control of the upper
food basin. remember sending
wire to the company board telling of
the new plans. Lampere read it.
:. He was probably called to the
board meeting.
But, Clia"-she stood before her
friend-"vhy should he fight the firm
retaining him?"
You're asking me?" commented
ella. However, Jude. he didn't in
tend that Bevins should find out he
was behind the injunction. He threat
ened the judge with some kind of an
expose if Big Tom learned of it
through him"
It don't understand why he's doing
this" muSed Judith. The dam is
only a hobby of Mr.. Bevins. OF course,
it will make money in time-every-
thing Big Tom touches does-and for
that reason he has complete support
of our board of directors. . He's
ready to build it with his own cash
If there's any dissension. .. Clia,"
she asked suddenly, why should Lam
pere and the judge discuss such a
thing in a public file room?"
Afraid if they went to either Office