Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1929-06-07, Page 7yob • vy Ztees Q r lg o w p 0 ruff^. 'tea ksl BagP2449; U "vele,0I8 ' "'iziia1CBiNeri7 yegt Y1,.h, ', Qi1nd £t, 'a1 Institute, P>,Rror®f3te1d'c carI Widen Square Throat les, ro* zgll , il:iondona ]Eng. At Oesnmepcial l mbL . e oat „ third 4tonde;f •. it ,a, an(ith from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 3 V ttcer�Ioo�, yStreet, South, Stratford d liihente�- {' UPTU.RIE SPIECIIA iLIIST Eupture, Varicocele, Varicose Veins Abdominal Weakness, Spinal Deform - City. Consultation Free. Call or wrote. J. G. SMITH, British Appli- ance Specialist, 15 Downie St., Strat- 4ord, Ont. 8202-52 ILHGAL r: alone No. 91 JOHN J. IEUGGAl D Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public, Etc. 3ttfe Block - .- Seaforth, Ont. R. S. HAYS 12.arrister, Solicitor, Conveyancer and Notary Public. Solicitor for the Memeimion Bank. Office in rear of the i'.>nsnimion Bank, Seaforth. -Money to BLEST .ti tsEST it tr•riiisters, Solicitors, Conveyan- Cam and Notaries Public, Etc. Office L3 the Edge Building, opposite The a¢ositor Office. ti VETERINARY c JOIEN GRIEVE, V.S. lEtoaor graduate of Ontario Veterin- ir College. All diseases of domestic r. r Is treated. Calls promptly at - eased * { to and charges moderate. Vet - e naary Dentistry a specialty. Office and residence on Goderich Street, one i east of Dr. Mackay's Once, Sea- A. H. CAMPBELL, V.S. Graduate of Ontario V --riflery College, University of Tor nto. All eases of domestic animal treated li t h e most modern p 'nciples. ,Caselarges reasonable. Day r night Da promptly attended tome' fee en l arin Street, Hensail, opposite Town Cta01. Phone 116. ,— MEDICAL DR. W. C. SPI[$OAT Gyeaduate of Faculty of M icine, sO�imo{versity of Western Ontario, Lon- dien. Member of College of Physic - d( Messes and Surgeons of Ontario. Office .023 akberhart's Drug Store, Main St., ' neorth. Phone 90. DR. R. P. I. DOUGALL ;ri..nor graduate of Faculty of £zindiofne and Master of Science, Uni- ' rsuty of Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Lmrrgeons of Ontario. Office, 2 doors cast of post office. Phone 56, Hensel], eintario. 3004-tf DIRE. A. NEWTON-BRADY (Bayfield. Oar ...I .nate Dublin University, Ire- fiend!. Late Extern Assistant Master 1 l! o a Hospital for Women and Gadldren, Dublin. Office at residence f`e�la occupied by Mrs. Parsons. i :;1,. un, 9 to 10 a.m., 8 to 7 p.n .; mays, 1 to 2 p.m. 2866-26 em DR. F. J. (BURROWS (( ne and residence Goderich Street, Cant of the Methodist Church, Sea- I �a i„F Phone 46. Coroner for the 4. , e, ty of i:' uron. t I DR. C. MACKAB C. Mackay, honor graduate of Trin- t l University, and'gold medallist of ' t„rty Medical'College; member of s as College of Physicians and Sur- t a of Ontaeio. I c DI18. H. 1HIUGH ROSS c Graduate of University of Toronto Ue lty of Medicine, member of Col - Il ga of Physicians and Surgeons of 1• ntario; pass graduate courses in s (Mileage Clinical School of Chicago ; yal Ophthalmic Hospital, London, h +jgland; University Hospital, Lon- f rt,onn, England. Office—Back of Do- 1 minion Bank, Seaforth. Phone No. 5. Night calls answered from residence, o `J6rntoria Street, Seaforth. - D r', J. A. 1IIIUNN h Snecessor to Dr. It. 118. Rosa Graduate of Northwestern Univers- e C Chicago, Ill. ,Licentiate Royal n College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. t *Ikea over Sills' Hardware, Main St., V 'forth. Phone 151. t DR. F. Jp f:.lECH1E1L�Y d e Graduate Royal College of Dental l nirgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. a lth's Grocery, Main Street, Sea- lorth. Phones: Office, 185 W; reef- a &eine, 185 J. 3055-tf h e' CONSULTING ENGINEER s S. W. Archibald, I3.A.Sc. (Tor.), f O:L.S., Registered Professional En- b ,� v�ziineer and Land Surveyor. Associate T Member Engineering Institute of Can- f oda. Oa ce Seaforth, Ontario. a n AUCTIONEERS tl a ° THOMAS BROWN t, Licensed auctioneer for the counties h e? Huron and Perish. 'Correspondence e. twrangerments for sale dates can be =mile by calling The Expositor O ifr�ce Seaforth. Charges moderate, an d cc'tinfnetion guaranteed. t PHONE 802 OSCAR KLOPP s ',nor Graduate Carey Jones? Na- t tonal School of Auctieneering, Chi- c eago. Special course taken in Pure t ?mad halve Stock, Real Estate, Mer- u d'.in2Sndioe and Farm Sales. Rates In h lis ng wire prevailing market. Set- Iddnetion anima. Write or wire, h tllvcnr (Topp, Zurich, Ont. Phone, i Il0-98. 25, y,42 a 118. T. 1LIllgEr3 a Ii les/aced •: unertiosner'ar eeb}? a r tet e e 2 Huron. Bales date reek^ 1x ;ei i ponds of thea eoratj. .4'trdt at -re, + t icae4 in 1`illwrr.at lh'S and 1....r la u '�^7 n. Terme reasonnbl S. yto2e5 , STD. C IP.0 , nil r< 11 IEanetse},�,,,,,//���,aetrhee{alin. Mtn t'.T e 11. rrcl •ta �I dt CO MO Mti' 9� lA�hC.. h e ,sir 0$e; Pa fot li, tam= u reaseessene REX The Ili[ucno )H Publishers ook Com any, q til. Toronto ;were ordered to 3 n' s ilapr d esu baagad, end `although we were poxnasiieeioned together, technically, he olatranked saS owing .to. the fagot that he was ggveaa his commission a moment 'before d got mine. "That's where the trouble started We clashed, even on shipboard. He proved himself to be authoritative, overbearing; he immediately assumed the position of my superior officer. I'm not a mild -tempered man, but I1 put up with it, figuring that our paths would soon separate. But they didn't. When we arrived in France I tackled my job with all the energy in me; I tried for results. Nelson, I discover- ed in time, was concerned only in taking entire credit for all that he ar.d I and the whole organization un- der us accomplished and in advancing himself. I worked; he played poli- tics, "You are not military men, so I sha'n't bore you with army terms or technical details, but—by one means s or another he managed to in - trench himself in a position of actual_ authority over me not at all in accord with our purpose or our instructions. 1 swallowed my resentment, for it seemed rather petty, rather selfish, in a time like that, to divert my at- tention from the important work iu hand t' quarrel with him. You un- derstand? Then, too, he was not making good and I was, and I thought time would surely cure the trouble. He must have appreciated my feel- ings --nevertheless, he persisted in a- busing his powers; he began.finally to really interfere with me, to call me off of important tasks and hum- iliate me with futile assignments, and I realized that I was threatened with failure through his meddling. This may sound trivial to you”—the speak- er raised his eyes to his audience— "but, take my word for it, there were many instances of pm:kind over there. Jealousy, intrigue, malevolence, pet- ty spite, drove more than one earn- est, patriotic offer to rebellion and —ruined many a career. "I rebelled. I had to, or be made ridiculous. I warned him, privately, as man to man. He ignored the warn- ing. Then I prepared a complete re- port showing by the copies of his or- ders, by the records of our respective accomplishments, by our correspond- ence, how he had systematically and maliciously endeavored to nullify my work and—the like. It was not a pretty report to read. I turned it in to him for submission higher up. "Then it was that he outgeneraled me. He was furious. of course, but he apologized—abjectly. He admit- ted that he had been wrong; that he had imposed upeen me. He promised to play fair if/, I'd permit him to withhold the eport, and—I was de- ceived.- man likes to be thought a cry-baby °` 'Those were eventful times; personal complaints were not welcomed in any quarter—not with the world rocking on its foundations. I was glad to accept his promises. "For a while we worked in harm- ony. I became engaged in an intri- cate case, having to do with a leak concerning transport sailings and routes—a' matter involving the lives of thousands of our boys, millions of dollars in supplies, and I went to Brest, under cover. It had to be han- dled with extreme care—some danger about it, too. A very interesting case, I assure you. I lived in a house with some of the people under sur- veillance. One of them was a wo- man, extremely attractive—thorough- ly unscrupulous. My avenue of ap- roach was through her. Nelson, of c. urse, knew what I was doing; he about. the only one who did. "' worked a `long while and I was upon e verge of success—it would have been a real accomplishment, too —when, without apparent cause, the gang too warning, scattered, the whole thing blew up. Months of work for nothing! I had made worse than a failure this time." "You mean to accuse Henry of—of treachery of that sort?" Swope in- quired. "I do. And that's not all. Out of a clear sky charges were preferred against me. Outrageous charges in which that woman figured." Up to this point Gray had spoken smoothly, rapidly, but.now his tone changed, his words became hesitant, jerky. "I was amazed! Joke, I called it at first. Sort of a blanket indictment, it was, charging me with inefficiency, negligence, exceeding my authority, dishonesty—and things even worse. Those were some of the least serious, the least—nasty. It was all too absurd! Being peculiarly vain and sensitive, my impulse was to shoot Henry Nelson. But I csuldn't believe the charges would be taken serious- ly. "Well, there was an investigation. I was court-martialed. I disproved a good deal; I think I'd have exonerat- ed myself on every count only for the woman—that one I spoke about. She turned the trick. I was' found guilty, disgraced, sent back. Even though you are not military men, you can appreciate the extent of my dishonor. "There, gentlemen, you have in a (Continued from® last week) The effect of this declaration was electric. With a cry the younger Nel- son lunged forward. Confusion fol- lowed. It was of short duration, however, for Henry found ' himself locked in the arms of the Briskow giant. Others lent Buddy their as- sistance, and, in spite of his strug- gles, the vice-president was flung backward upon a deep leather divan. He rose unsteadily, but, meeting Bud- dy's threatening gaze and realizing the impossibility of getting past him, he cried. "Let me out of here! Let me out, damn you! I --I'll get you for this, Gray. Let me out, I tell you!" "Buddy!" Gray jerked his head in the direction of the door to one of the adjoining offices. "He keeps a gun in his desk—top drawer. Get it before he makes a fool of himself." Young Briskow stepped out of the room. Gray continued, speaking to the others, "I have something to say to you gentlemen before we go on with the meeting, and I wish say it in the presence of Colonel Ne1so and his—" "You'll not keep me here. I refuse to stay," Henry shouted, and he push- ed past Swope toward the door. "Wait!" It was the elder Nelson speaking, and in his voice was a new note—a note of triumph. "Stock can't be transferred at an annual meeting. It has to be done in advance — ten days. I think it is. Am I right, Sen- tor?"a "That is the usual procedure," Sen- ator Lowe agreed. "Better Iook it up and make sure," Gray* directed. There followed a few moments of uncomfortable silence while the bank's attorney ran through the by-laws. It seemed to those waiting that it was a long time before "he frowned and shook his head- `I'—ah—I can find nothing against t. It seems I have nothing to do ex - cert transfer the shares." "Then there won't be any meeting!" Be11 loudly declared. The three directors greeted this re- mark with exclamations of genuine re- ief. "Sure; let's adjourn—put it ov- er until—" one of them began, but the bank's president was bellowing in ris- ng fury at the interlopers: "Get out! Get out of my office, d'you hear? Get out—" "Looks to me like it's my office," Gus Briskow said, quietly, "or it will be, directly. You, Bell, put .on ---the muffler! I came a to gs toa end this meetin'. It's the first one ever been to, an° it's goin' to hap- pen. Shut.up your fuss! I want you o hear what Mr. Gray's got to say." "To hell with him and you, too!" tormed the financier. ' "Hold the meeting, eh? Hold it if you dare! defy you. Steal my bank, double- ross me— We'll see about that. Come along, Henry." "You're in," Gray said, menacing - y; "you'd better stay and vote your tock or you may never get back a- gain." But neither father nor son eeded him. When they had gone he ,owned. "I'm sorry. Really I am. hoped I could force—" "I think we'd better go, too," some ne said. "This is too extraordinary. We're in no frame of mind to go a- ead—" "I must insist that you remain long Hough to hear me out. You have o right to refuse. There is some- hing you must be told." "I'll admit I'm curious to know what the devil it. all means," Murphy, he lumberman, confessed; "but I on't know that I should accept an xplanation from you. Not after I�enry's accusations. I've known him id Bell for years—" "I respect your friendship for them id I sha"n't expect you to put trust my words. It seems to me, how- er, that you owe it to that friend- iip to hear me. This incident has ken a turn wholly unexpected and I, ust confess, disappointing. I looked r a different outcome—hoped I'd able to force an explanation—" he speaker shook his bead and owned again, perplexedly. When, ter a moment of indecisive mur- uring, the three directors seated emselves, Gray thanked them with bow. "I'll be as brief as possible, rd if you don't mind Pll stand as I Ik. I'm in no mood to sit. I'll the to go back a bit—" It was sev- al seconds before he resumed. "When it became evident that the United States was going to war, I Tr to get in at Plattsburg and sok the officers' training course. It was easy for me to complete that ourse,.because I had served in the panish War and had kept up my in- restein military affairs. Something onvinced those who ought to know hat I possessed qualifications of un- sual value to the country --a wide usiness experience at home and a- broad, a knowledge of languages per- aps—anyhow, I was called to Wash- gton.nThere I met Henry Nelson— valuable man, too, in his way. We ere commissioted at the same time nd set overseas on the same ship to 'gage in the same work—military ntelligenee. I didn't like the job, but was considered important, and gnat - rally I couldn't pick and choose. Of nurse it was secret, confidential work. No ,reed of going into that ""N'elson's and mgr duties were idem,.. 9cea1l, our authority was equal; e -]they c ; ::,ria 'The man you cant f' le Mummy ennccecfu1 banolneoo mem regularly use WWWrigley's. The. act of chewing has a modeling effect. The lnealthfn-1 cleanoinng elation of Wrlglep°a rsfraoleo the mouth— gently stle nulateo the film, of the natural jaeleea-otar i1leo the oar eeso— aide slivesselon. eew wOrdiQU.pgceinG scan ry ra ,°'4 of loR4 prvti $ed etorp--.size me nk I ke 0 - It er k at e - e » 11 y I k, vy f. I y g n s e e e t that I detest tai :` However, could net acme t y021 ,to sit with at the direotere" l ' +of this ha without knowing is' am, what am, and ° whir ; hams run that rat i to the hole. Cdonee Nelson spo the truth when he saki this was pur ly a personal ,natter between us. is so purely personal, that I was wi ling to spare humiliation to his fa,th --leave Old Bell in m esus] of his ban and end oar fightesif he'd right th old wrong. But you heard him r fuse. So they must both fall. H said I've been persecuting him— Gray smiled grimly. 'Let me to you how. That disgrace cost me m friends and what money I had, for tried long and earnestly to get bac to get a rehearing, to enter the na —anything to re-establish mysel Failing that, I carne to Texas. came without a dollar, without an ac quaintance, and began 'my 'persecu tion' of Henry Nelson. I began it b coming here to the bank and tellin him what I was up to. I put him o guard and we engaged each other, a the French would say, `to the death I—won. That's all there is to th story." "Well, I'll be damned!" Martin Mur phy exclaimed. "At last (Henry played fair in this he didn't betray your secret," Gag said, coldly. "Oh, I meant to tell you that h didn't dare betray me, for he, too came back in disgrace. The po couldn't very well talk about the ket tle." "What?" "Henry Nelson'" "Impossible!1" I mean exactly what I say. man of his type could have lasted ov er there. Then, too, the story of our quarrel leaked out, that old report of mine turned up— Yes, he got the same medicine he gave me. But he had influence in Washington, and he managed to delay final action almost up to the day of the armistice. Even then he succeeded in pretty well cov- ering up the reason for his dismis- sal." "Why, even Bell doesn't know that! "Henry's been a terrible hero, here- abouts," said Gus Briskow. After a moment he addressed the other men. "Mr. Gray told me this, an' I want- ed him to tell it to you. I dunno what you -all think of this story, but I know him an' I believe every word of it. What's more, I believe this bank is goin' to be run as well as ever it was even if I am president, A man can be . president an' stay at home, if he's got folks under him that know more than he does. What d'you say if we start that meetin' we been talkin' about? I'm willing to see Mr. Gray settin' in yonder at Henry's desk if you are." "I don't see that it makes much dif- ference whether we're willing or not," Swope confessed. "You have the votes, between you, to do about as you choose." "Of course we have, but, with Bell an' Henry gone, it seems like some of their neighbors ought to stay an' look out for what potatoers they've left in the ground. What 1t1 ou say." Swope eyed his companions brief- ly, then he nodded. "We'll stay." "Then, Mr. Secretary, let her go!" CHAPTER XXIX One morning, several days after the annual meeting, Gus Briskow opened the door between his and Gray's of- fice and inquired, "Busy?" The new vice-president of the Se- curity National raised a preoccupied face to the new president and said: "1'm never too busy to talk to you. What is it?" "Nothing! I'm just kinda lonesome —kinda tired of lookin' bright about things I don't savvy." Gus seated himself and crossed his thin legs. "Folks give an awl credit for bein' wise just because he keeps his mouth shut. Prolv'ly he's got nothing of interest to say." "Perhaps. But you can say 'no,' Gus and that's about all the average banker is called upon to say," "Um -m!" The elder man nodded reflectively. "I heard about a cap- tain of industry that allus smelled a pink when he did his heavy thinkin'. Now me, I'm goin' in for bananas. I keep a bag of 'em in my desk. I 'most killed myself on bananas when our first well came in—never thought I'd be able to afford all I wanted. How's the bank?" "Why, it's still here, as you see." "I know. That's the] remarkable part. I keep thinkin' it's goin' to bust—I mean blow up an° disappear - I wake up nights dTeamin' it's gone. It's all right, is it?" "Positively! I put an accountant at work on the books and he should be ready to report any time now." "No chance of Bell Nelson throwin' us out, is there? He's in Dallas try- in' to stir up money—" "Not a- chance, unless you want him to do so; unless you're afraid we'll make a failure of the business." "We?" Gus smiled quizzically. "You won't fail. 'Folks around town are talkin' about how quick you're takin' hold, an' they're beginning to think you'll make a better banker than the Nelsons. Funny, ain't it, how easy reconciled folks is to login' a couple prominent citizens like that? Looks like Bell an' Henry are about the only ones that take it hard." "The funny thing is" -Gray frown- ed, perplexedly—"they don't take it hard. At least, Henry doesn't appear to do so. That's what puzzles me. No move of any sort-- That's not like him." Gus agreed to this. "1 been ex - pectin' him to cut some capers. That's why I been bangle' around so steady." "I know." "Every time I peel a banana I peel an eye for Henry. T worry whenever you go out alone." The younger man rose and nervous- ly paced the floor. "I'm completely mystified," he admitted. "the whole affair has been a r-reat disappoint- ment to me. t thought Pd sprung a coup, 'but -4'1•n at a standstill. I'm stumped—checkmated.°° "About that trouble between you an' hire, eh? Why, we took your Word for that." "Unfortunately, that didn't help me very greatly. 'Other peepile aren't so easily convinced es you and Swope and Cage ,:raid Murphy. ii t'a!nnetionl t@so SQgc anmag kEn Emratial a G M c ffoT ff©Hama Dias tor- IIff you are planning to paint inside or outside your home, cut out this Scarfe's Painting Guide for reference, Rt will insure out obtaining the best and most artistic results. Il, 2, 3, Scarfe's Ready Mixed Exterior Paints ' 4 Scarfe's Shingle Stains S Scarfe's Porch and Floor Enamels 6 Scarfe's Varno-O-Lac, Quick I''ryingEnamell 7 Scarfe's Brantine Finishing White Enamel 8 Scarfe's Ground Color and Varnish Stains, or Scarfe's Brantine Finishing Enamels 9 Scarfe's Flat Wall Enamels ,110 Scarfe's Brantine Finishing Enamels, or Scarfe's Filler, 00 Stain and ]Brantnne In- terior Varnish, or Brantine No. Id Satin Finish Varnish IlIl Scarffe's Porch and Floor Enamel, or Scarf e's ]Filler, Oil Stain and Brantine Floor Varnish, or Brantine No. 116 Satin Finish Varnish. 112 Scarfe's Gokli or .Aluminum (faint, ®it Scarfe's ]Flat Wall Enamels 1) 233 Scarfe's 1FlQor Filler, White Shellac, Brant- ine Floor Varnish, or Brantine No. 116 Sa. Finish Varnish 24 ]In basement, Scarle's Porch and Floor Enamels, Gloss suitable on Wood, Plaster, Cement or Metal Surfaces 115 Scarfe's (Black Boiler Enamel 16 Scarfe's 252 Top and Seat Dressing 29 Scarfe's Automobile Enamels or Lacquer Il8 Sce rfe's Chassis ]lack (for under part of Fenders and Chassis). For brick and stucco houses use Scarfe°s Brick and Stucco Paints—ail colors. Scarfe's Surface Satisfaction Paint, Ena- mels, Stains are made in all the popular shades and colors. Ask for color cards, and pamphlets giving full detailed information, in order to obtain the finest of finishes. For Sale By T. SCO L T, SealoT llll I thought my troubles were over!' "Well, your money troubles is ov- er—" "They're the smallest part. I'd go back and start all over again if I could clean up that—that army re- cord. It's a pretty flat triumph." "Humph! Most triumphs is. A fel- ler has a dream—a long -in', an' he bows his back an' works his life a- way tryin' to realize it. If he does, the chances is he's disappointed. Hie finds he's kep' his back bent so long he can't straighten it. Look at me— pore as dirt an' scarcely enough to eat! I used to pray for a miracle; pray for money enough to do some- thing for Ma an' the children—for a thousan' dollars. Here I am, presi- dent of a whole bank, but Ma's sick, Allie's miserable, an' I can't sleep nights for fear I'll lose what I got!" "Poverty wouldn't have helped Ma's health—" "Oh, I ain't sayin' I'd trade!" Gus wagged his sandy head. "I get my shoes shined every two hours because that bootblackin' stand is a nice place to look at the bank from. I set there an' tell myself I'm president of it! But that's the biggest dividend I've got, so far—five shines a day an' all the bananas I can eat. `Flat' is the word." Gray smiled affectionately at the speaker. "At least Buddy is happy. He's reaping his dividends, if I'm any judge." "1 figger he's in love again." "God heavens!" Gray paused in his restless pacing and turned an ex- pression of almost comic dread upon the father. "With that woman, eh? Well, I refuse to interfere again. I haven't fully recovered from his first infatuation for her." "I can tell the boy's symptoms. I felt the same way when i was Court- in' Ma. I acted just like him." "He has been trying to tell me something for a week, but I've been too busy and too worried to listen." Briskow's kindly face had settled into graver lines when next he spoke. "You prob'ly wonder why I take it so easy. Well, I remember what you told me once about judgin' people I don't know, Mebhe Allie was right, ENS( `111074teS ▪ ECLECTR OC +' pal � HEE� tic.0 ALL THO COMMdh ( t P9p UDD ALWAY AE CKEPT B°6 VAT � • IFr-FPg-Oy���Yeastt� IitsuAlf � a'rvo Abe me. sse too, when she said a little genuine happiness is worth all it costs. Any- how, if Buddy wants that woman, I won't say a word. She's turned out pretty good, an' people speak well of her. Buddy's a man, an' some men just have to get married—the sooner it's over, the better for 'em. He's like that. But what's more 'n all that, love between two young people is a pretty sacred thing, an' when old folks keep interferin' it seems to me they're settin' themselves up to be wiser than God. Ma's folks didn't care much for me." "I feel a rebuke in your words," Gray said; "and no doubt I've earned it, for it has always been my weak- ness to rearrange the lives of those I love. But—who am I, after all? If I were so divinely wise, why is my own life what it is? When I marry, perhaps I shall have to ask 13—ask the girl to ignore in me things as—as disagreeable to think about as those which Buddy will have to ignore in Margie's past. That boy, in fact all you Briskows, have put me so deeply in your debt that I'm afraid I shall have to conquer my meddlesome instinct." The speaker looked up suddenly. "You'll never know, by the way, how deep is my debt of gratitude. When a vainglor- ious, supersensitive man finds himself under a cloud, it is pretty nice to know that there is somebody whose faith is unshakable; s mehody who needs no legal proof that he's— Proof —here 1 am, back again right where I was when you came in; back to my own selfish concerns. I can't get a- way from them. What to do next? The Nelsons are on their last legs. The loss of this hank will certainly destroy what credit remained, and ev- en a good well now would scarcely tide them over. But—da.mn it, Gus, T can't kick a man if he refuses to stand up! I can't beat a corpse!' There came a rap at the door, and the accountant whom Gray had put to work upon the hank's books enter- ed. "I'd like to talk to you about this report," the man began. "Don't go," Gray said, as Briskow unfolded his legs and rose. But the president of the Security National shook his head, saying:— "Rookkeepin' is all Choctaw to me. I saw one statement an' 1 thought `liquid assets' meant that bottle of whisky Bell left in his desk." "Mr. Gray," the auditor announced when they were alone, "1 wish you'd ask somebody else to take this job off my hands." ewhy ee "Well, somebody else could prob- ably do it better." There was a pause. "Tye known Bell Nelson all my life—" "That is why I engaged Sia. You have been over these books 'be Pore " Again there was an instant of silence, then into Gray's lace there flashed a curious alertness. "CommeV he cried sharply. "'Mat is it?" ! "I'm sorry to be the one to—" The auditor shrugged. "If you insist on an explanation, I suppose I shall have to tell you, Perhaps it's just as well anyhow. They say figures don't lie, but you and I know better. I only wish they didn't." "Have you caught them lying here." "I have. And it has made me rather ill. You'd better prepare you- self- for a shock." It was nearly an hour later that Gray telephoned to Senator Lowe, time bank's attorney, and to Bennett Swope the latter being the only member of the board available at short notice. This done, he wrote a note to Henry Nelson. In spite of his effort to con- trol his hand, it shook when he sign- ed his name, and on second thought he destroyed the missive. There is something ominous about the written word. If Nelson grew suspicious, he'd never come. Gray stepped into Gus Briskow's office and asked him to call the form- er vice-president, first, however, ex- plaining, exactly what he wished Gtr to say. The ruse succeeded; then Gray returned to his own office- te drew a deep breath. Within him he felt a ferocious eagerness take fire, for it seemed to him that the day of reckoning bad come. Henry's he- havior was now easily understand -- able; the fellow was cringing, cower ing in anticipation of a second blow. Well, the whip was in Gray's hands, and he proposed to use it ruthlessly —to sink the lash, to cut to the bone, to leave scars such as Henry had left upon him. Nor was that his only' weapon. There was, for instance, Old Bell Nelson's honor. If coercion failed, there were rewards, induce- ments. Oh, Henry would have to speak! The Nelson fortune, or what remained for salvage from the wreck thereof, the bank itself, they were pawns which Gray could and would, sacrifice, if necessary. His hunger for a sight of "Bob" had become un- bearable. Freedom to declare his ov- erwhelming love—and that love he knew was no immature infatuation, hut the deep-set passion of a full- grown man—was worth any priee hes might be called upon to pay. Yon, 'Henry would speak the truth to -dale or for one of them, at least, therm would be an end to the feud. Gray, too, kept a revolver hs his desk. He removed, it and placed it till his pocket. Buddy Briskow ehose this, of alt moments, to thrust his grinning vis- age into the door and to inquire, 6"« rte time for me now, Mr. Grey?" "Not now, Buddy?" "When?" "Why almost ottny ether thane." "11 wouldn't bother you, hut it'd Isis portant and i- prosrmieeli a &Ado partyy--" The youth%'them ro oIt ,'. his smile widened vnenennly. "Later, if you delft 15i11t d°�