The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 23, 1902, Page 13

never forgi: to her feet, terrible, her “May God punish may they never prosper—on my knees I shall pray for it h 1ay their money be a curse may their sons, their first born, be taken from them in their Ima interrupted, begging her to nt, The tears came hen and the choking sobs, her in her arms, little boy, my little bo; come to this! } hair unbound. them as they He was not right in he would have K r Oh, my son, my d have died for you.” dney came in, clinging to her dress, g her not to cry, pro- € that they never could caich her would come back them both, 1 the broken-down old woman, In the eat embrace of her strong arms, and ey all three sobbed together, porch outside, looking straight' before ss of dead vines, his T lip thrust out. hope 8. Behrman is satisfied with all d. 1 hope he is satis- fied now, damn his soul? All at once an idea occurred to him. He turned about and re-entered the room. M ¢ “1 want you to come over and Q I know—you can't make me believe that the reporters and officers and officious busy-faces that pretend to offer b just so as they can shtisfy their cu- Ity aren't nagging you to death. want you to Jet me take care of you and the little tad till all this trouble of yours B There's plenty of place for _ You can have the house my wife's ple used to live in. look these things in the face. you going to 4o to get along? be very short of money. oreclose on you and take the whoie place 1 want you to let p you, let Hilma and me be good It would be a privilege.” Dyke tried bravely to assume her pride, insisting that she couid marage, but her spirit was broke: fair ended unexpected and Hilma bringing Dyke's mother and lul.e]gu’l back to Quien Sabe in the car- back turned, m into the wilderne: teeth shut hard, his | he muttered. 8. Behrman will ttle while now. The whole af- with Annixter Mrs. Dyke would not take with her a stick of furniture nor a single ornament. It would only serve to remind her of a vanished happiness. She packed a few hes of her own and Sidney’s in a little under the carry-all’s Mrs. Dyke turned the key in the door of the house and Annixter hels seat beside his wife. drove through the sear, brown hop vines. At the angle of the road Mrs. Dyke turn- ed around and looked back at the ruin of the hop ranch, the roof of the house just showing above the trees. She never saw s soon as Annixter and Hilma were after their return to Quien Sabe Dyke and Sidney having been in- old house—Hilma threw her arms around her “Fine,” she exclaimed: “oh, it was fine of you, dear, to think of them and to be 50 good to them. My husband is such a You wouldn't have thought of being kind to Mrs. Dyke So_unselfish. wouldn’t have thought of them at all. But you did now, and it's just because you love me true cause iU's made you a_better man. o proud and glad to think it's so because you I “You bet it is, Hilma,” he told her. and Annixter were i he supper which Louisa Vacca came to door of the dining-room to say that rick had telephoned over from s for Annixter, and had left « for him to ring up Los Muertos as n as he came in. important,” have news from Washing- iggested Hilma. would not wait to have sup- to Los Muertos at nus answered the meeting of the executive league summoned for he told Annixter. ose of considering the new prepared by Lyman had written that le of this tariff had just been not been abie to con- ccording to the wheat Los Muertos and ex- pparent discrepancies, man would be present at the ses- d come down to for detaiis, The connection < no one could be trusted. known who would over- carried on over the sured Magnus that he wouid for the committee .en set for 7 o’clock in the evening to accommodate Lyman, at he would be down on the even- would be compelled, of business, to return to the city riy the pext morning. t the time appointed the men compos- ttee gathered about the 1g-room of the Los Mue: It was almost a_repr ction of the scene of the famous even- Osterman had proposed the Railroad Commis- s Derrick sat at the head of buttoned frock es and siphons of ter were within easy vho by now was considered the confiden- ial friend of every member of the com- . lounged as before on the smoking cigarettes, the cat Nathalie on hi Besides Magnus and Annixter, erman was present, and old Broderson ncho, and Gethings of the San Pabio, who were also members of the executive committee, were on hand, pr bearded men, smoking black cigars, and, last of all, Dabney, the silent old man, hom little was known but his name, and who bad been made a member of the committee, nobody could tell why. “My son Lyman should be here, gen- least teg!mmmuées. ve sent my team to meet at Bonne- e explained Magnus, as he called the meeting to order. “The secretary will call ranchhouse. the Ranchers’ preoccupied, tlemen, within at Osterman called the roll, and, to fill in the time, read ove’;hthe minutes of lt):e v eeting. e trasurer was mak- B e eport s to the funds at the dis- e when Lyman arrived. rran went forward to neet him, and the committee rather awk- Wardly Tose and remained standing while the three exchanged greetings, the mem- bers, some of whom had never seen their commissioner, eying him out of the cor- thelr ‘eyes. e onn was dressed with his usual cor- rectness. His cravat was of the latest fashion, his clothes of careful design and His shoes, of patent Jeather, reflected the lamplight, and he carried a drab overcoat over his arm. Be- fore being introduced to the committee, he excused himself a moment and ran to see his mother, who waited for him in the adjoining sitting-room. But in a few mo- ments he returned, asking pardon for the He was all affability; eyes, that ga\’;‘such ‘ME“&“&"&EE‘&S S Piaiity. He was evidently anxious to please, to prc;duce lf‘ooa :. the grave, clumsy farme he stgorod. But at the same time, Presley, watching him from his place on the sofa, could imagine that he was rather nervous. He was too nimble in his cordiality, the little gestures laelma‘de hl;lbn g his cuffs into view and in touching of his tight, black mustache with the ball of his thumb were repeated with unneces- posal of the leaj Magnus and unimpeachable fit. his protruding ression upon Lyman, my ter, my son, Ly- man The Governor introduced him to the ranchers, proud of Lyman’'s good looks, his correct dress, his ease of manner, Ly- man shook hands all around, keeping a flow of small talk, finding a new ase for each member, comp Osterman, whom he already knew. upon nis talent for organization, recalli: mutual acquaintance to the mind length, however, he sat down at the end of the table, o] his agn Poe to vacapitulate the reason us rose to recapitul for he extra session of the committee, stating again that the Board of Railway Commissioners which they—the ranchers— had succeeded in seating had at length iscued the new schedule of reduced rates, Mr. Derrick had_been obliging to offer to come down to Los Muertos in person to acquaint the wheat owere of the San Joaguin with the tes for the carriage of their grain. But Lyman very politely pmmted.uld- dressing his father punctiliously as “Mr. and the other ranchers as “Gentlemen ,of the Executive Committee Chairman,” of the League." to disarrange the regular proceedings the commitiee. Wouly it not be ‘preferabie to defer ‘l'he reading of his reporc uli “new business” was called for? in the meun- while, let the committee proceea with its usual work. He understood the neces- sarily deicate nature of this work, and ,Jouid be pieaseu to witndraw till tae proper time arrived for him to speak. Good deal of backing and tiling about the reading of a column of res,” mut- tered Annixter to the man at his elbow. Lyman “awaited the committee’s decis- fon”" He sat down, touchi nds of his_mustache. e Oh, play ball,” growled Annixter. Gethings rose to say that as the meet- ing haa been called solely for the purpose of hearing and considering the new grain tariff, he was of the opinion that routine business couid be dispensed with and the schedule read at once. It was so ordered. Lyman rose and made a long speech. Volubie as Osterman himself, he, never- Lheless, had at his command a vast num- ber of ready-made phrases, the staples of a political speaker, the stock in trade of the commercial lawyer, which rolled off his tongue with the most persuasive fiu- ency. by dégrees, in the course of his sp.ech, he began to insiouate th: idea thag ine wheat growers had never expected to setule their vifficuities with the rfllruud by the work of a single commission; tnat they had counted upon a long, continued campaign of many years, railway com- mission succeeding railway commission, before the gesired low rates should be se- cured; that the present Board of Com- missioners was only the beginning and that too great rexuits were not expected from them. All this he contrived to men- tion casually in the talk, as if it were a gr;,re‘gfiue coaclusion, a matter understvod As Lhe speech continued, the eyes of the ranchers around the tabie were fixed with Brow.ng atténtion upon this weli-dressed, city-bred young man, who spoke so fiu- cntly and who told them of their own in- ilentions. A feeling of perplexity began to spread. and the first taint of distrust in- vaded ‘their minds. "But the good work has been most au- spiciously inaugurated,” cnnunuid Ly- man. “Reforms so sweeping as the one contemplated cannot be accomplished in & single night. Great things grow slowly, benefits to be permanent st - accrue gradually. Yet, in spite of all this, your commissioners have done much. Already the phalanx of the enemy is pierced, ai- ready his armor is dinted. Pledged as Were your commissioners to an average ten per cent reduction in rates for the carriage of grain by the Pacific and Southwestern Railroad, we have rigidly adhered to the demands of our constitu- ency, we have obeved the people, The main problem has not yet been completely solved; that is for later, when we shail have gained sufficient strengih to attack the enemy in his very stronghold; but an average ten per cent cut has been made all over the State. We have made a great advance, have taken a great step forward, and if the work is carried ahead, upon the lines laid down by the present commis- sloners and their constituents, there is every reason to believe that within a very few years equitable and reasonable rates for the shipment of grain from the San Joaquin Valley to Stockton, Port Costa and dtldewater will be permanently im- posed.” ““Well, hold on,” exclaimed Annixter, out of order and ignoring the Governor's reproof. “hasn’t your commission reduced grain rates in the San Joaquin?” “‘We have reduced grain rates by ten per cent all over the State,” rejoined Ly- man. “Here are coplies of the new sched- Hedrew them from his valise and passed them around the table. “You see,” he observed, “the rate be- tween Mayfield and Oakland, for instance, has been reduced by 25 cents a ton.” “‘Yes—but—but—"" said old Broderson, “it is rather unusual, isn’t it, for wheat in that district to be sent to Oakland?”’ “Why, look here,” exclaimed Annixter, looking up from the schedule, “where is there any reduction in rates in the San Joaquin—from Bonneville to-Guadalajara, for instance. 1 don't see as you've made any reduction at all. Is this right? Did you give me the right schedule?” “Of course, all the points in the State could not be covered at once,” returned Lyman. “We never expected, you know, that we could cut rates in the San Joa- quin the very first move; that is for later. But you wll{ see we made very material reductions on shipments from the upper Sacramento Valley: also the rate from Jone to Marysville has been reduced eighty cents a ton.” “Why, rot” cried Annixter, ‘“no one ever ships wheat that way.” ‘The Salinas rate,” continued Lyman, has been lowered seventy-five cents; the St. Helena rate fifty cents, and please no- tice the very drastic cut from Red Bluff, north along the Oregen route to the Ore- =on State line.” ““Where not a carload of wheat is ship- ped in a_vyear,” commented Gethings of the San Pablo. “Oh. you will find yourself mistaken there, Mr. Gethings.” returned Lyman, courteously. “And for the matter of that, a low rate would stimulate wheat pro- duction in that district.” The order of the meeting was broken up, neglected; Magnus did not even pre- tend to preside. In the growi excite- ment over the inexplicable schedule rou- tine was not thought of. Every one spoke at will. “Why, Lyman,” demanded Magnus, looking across the table to his son. “is this schedule correct? You® have not cut rates in the San Joaquin at all. We— these gentlemen here and myself, we are no better off than we were before we se- cured vour election as Commissioner."” ‘“We were pledged to make an average ten per cent cut, sir—" “It is an average ten per cent cut.” cried Osterman, ‘““Oh, yes, that’s plain. It's an average ten ger cent cut all right. but you've made it by cutting grain rates between points where practically no grain is shipped. We, the wheat growers in the San Joaquin, where all the wheat is rown, are right where we were before. he railroad won't lose a nickel. By Jin- £0. boys,” he glanced around the table, “T'd like to know what this means." ““The rallroad, if you come to K:AJ turned Lyman, “has already lodgt test against the new rate.” Annixter uttered a derisive shout. That’s good, that is. When . W. objects to rates it don't ‘protest,” m'son. The first you hear from Mr. Shelgrim is an injunction from the courts preventing the order for new rates from taking effect. By the Lord,” he cried arigrily, leaping to his feet, “I would like to know what all this means, too? Why didn’t you reduce our grain rates? ‘What did we elect you for?” es. what did we elect you for?” de- manded Osterman gnd Gethings, glso get- ting to their feet. 4 ““Order, order, gentlemen,” cried Mag- nus, remembering the duties of his office and rapping his knuckles on the table. ““This meetlnf hsll! beden"lfloved to de- generate too far already. “You elected us,” declared Lyman, dog- gedly, “to make an average ten per cent cut on grain rates. We have done it Only because you don't benefit at once, you object. It makes a difference whose ox I:s gored, it seems. “Lyman . It )wn us who spoke. He had drawn himsel his full six feet. His eyes were flashing diréct into his son's. His voice rang with severity. g “Lyman, what does this mean?" The other spread out his hands. “As you see, sir. We have done our best. 1 warned you not to expect too much. 1 told you that this question of transportation ‘was difficult. You would not wish to put rates so low that the ac- tion would amount to confiscation of prop- erty.” “Why did you not lower rates in the valley of the San Joaquin? ““That was not a prominent issue in the affair,” responded Lyman, carefully em- phasizing his words. “I understand, of ourse, ft was to be approached in time. The main point was an average ten pel cent reduction. Rates will be loweres in the San Joaquin. The ranchers around Bonneville will be able to ship to Port Costa at equitable rates, but so radical a measure as_that cannot be put through in the turn of the hand. We must study " re- a pro- “You knew the San Joaguin rate was an issue,” shouted Annixter, lhlul;‘ his finger across the table. “What do we men who backed you care about rates up in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties? Not & whoop in hell. It was the San Joaquin rate we were fighting for, and we elected you to reduce that. You didn’t do it and ou don't intend to, and, by the Lord arry, I want to know why.” “You'll know, sir— began Lyman. “well, I'll_tell you why.” vociferated Osterman. “T'll tell you why. It's be- cause we ha n_sold out. It's be- cause the P. and 8. W. have had their spoon in this bolllnf. It's because we're' a set of cad:dmn f?o farmers and have > cin again.” Lyman paled under his dark skin at the airect attack. He evidently had not ex: pected this so soon. For the fraction of one instant he lost his se. He strove to speak, but caught breath, stam- mering. “What have you to say, then H-fl'nn,t wh‘o. u’nlll now, “d not cried spoken. 1 have this to say,” answered Ly making head as best this is no proper spirit in which to dis- cuss businesm, The commission filled its obligations. rates to the best of its ability. We have been at work for two preparation of this schu = ‘“That’s a lie,” shouted Annixter, face gcarlet, “that’s a lie. was drawn in the offices of the Pacific and Southwestern and you know.it, It's @ scheme of rates made for the railroad and by the railroad, and you were bought Over 1o put your name tc it.” ( here was a concerted outburst at fhe worde. * All the men in the room were on their feet, gesticulating and vociferating. entlemen,” cried Magnus, olboys, are we ruffians on ‘We're a set of fool farmers and we've been betrayed,” cried Osterman. “Well, what have you to say? have you to leaning across of the league—were goNg tArougn tue. mAnLdl UL arms Under drran. Derrick's ‘Luey Were @i equipped with SUpel vision, Harran carried Niew \vinchester rilies. oue of tnese mmselt and with it he illus- trated tne various cuinmanas he gave. onths on the AS Suon as oue Of tue ldeu . under afie—" Bupervisivly Lecdnie udle Lhaa That schedule “Gentiemen, “‘are we scho the street?” toward his Ppossession, “For God’s sake, Lyman, you've got_some explanation."” “‘You've misunderstood,” protested Ly- man, white and trembling. You've expected too much. year—soon now, the—the com- San Joaquin ““You've mis- commission will take u mission will consider the We've done our best, that is all.” “‘Have you, sir?”’ demanded Magnus. The Governor's head was in a whirl; a sensation, almost of faintness, had seized Was it possible? Was it pos- ““‘Have you done your best?" second he compelled Lyman's eye. glances of father and son met, and, in spite of his best efforts, Lyman's eyes ‘he matter over again Y:ay,” he added, * from the beginning. But Magnus did not In that brief lapse of time he was terrible thing had unhe ‘evable had It was in the air. in some subtle convinced that the gon come to pass. tween father and son, fashion, the truth that' was a lle stood But even then Magnus_would Lyman do this! descend to this! more and for the last time he turned to him and in his vo'ce there ring that compelled silence. “Lyman,” he said, not receive {t. his eldest son, “I adjure you—I—I demand of you as you are my son and an honorable p! What is there behind all th's? longer as chairman of the committce [ speak to you, you a member of the Rail- road Commission. It is your father who spcaks, and 1 address you as Do vol understand the gravity of this crisis? Do you realize the responsibility of your position? Do you not see the im- por(tgnce of this moment? Explain your- Magnus. “There is nothing to explain.” of the “You have not San Joaquin? rates between reduced rates You bhave not Bonneville and “I repeat sir, what I have sald before. An average ten per cent cut—-'" “Lyman, answer me, yes or no. you reduced the Bonneville rate? “It could not be done so soon. Give us ernor,’ By God, sir, do you dare Yes or no; hawe “Yes or mo! equivocate with me? ¥ou reduced the Bonneville rate?” No days. over. “And answer -me,” leaning far Were you pald by the railroad to leave the San Joaquin rate untouched?’ ghouted Harran, vantage. some day.” ‘‘The cost of maintaining a number of small holdings,” sald Magnus, indifferent- ly, “is, of course, greater than #if they were all under one management. ¥ be, that may be, rejoined turious upon his brother. ‘Dor’t you dare put that question Lo “That ma; the other. There was & long pause. Genslinger leaned back in his chair and rubbed a Magnus, standing erect in front of the safe, waited for him to speak. “This is an unfortunate business, Gov- ernor,” began the editor, “this misunder- standing between the ranchers and the railroad. 1 wish it could be adjusted IHere are two industries that must be in {mrmtolly with one another, or we ail go o pot. ~'I should prefer not to be interviewe: on thé subject, Mr. Genslinger,” sai agnus. *'‘Oh, no; oh, no. * erled Harran, ‘“because I'll tell you to your villain’s face that you were raid to do it.” On the instant the clamor burst forth afresh. Btill on their feet, had. little by little, worked around tire table, Magnus alone keeping his place. The others were in a group before Ly- man, crowding him, as it were, to the wall, shouting into his face with menac- The truth that was a lfe, trust betrayed, was plain to knee. the ran’hers ing ‘gestures. the certainty pledge ruthlessly broken, every one of them. “By the Lor less than thi men havs been shot for cried Qsgrman. ’ sold us out, you, and °f you ever bring that dago face of yours on a level with mine again, I'll slap It.” “Keep your hands off, man quickly, the aggressiveness of the flaming up within “him. Don't you go too far.” “How much were you paid? ‘were you paid?” exclaimed Ly- cornered rat *No violence. sion,”” he remarked. esting campalgn mento and San Francisco.' Magnus held his peace, his hands shut Did Genslinger know of Lyman's or this he had come? ‘Would the story of it be ‘the leading arti- cle in to-morrow’s Mercury? “An interesting campaign,” repeated “a very interesting I watched it with every dqgfiete vociferated Harran. “Yes, yes, what was your price?” cried They were beside themselves with anger; their words came harsh from between their set teeth; were made with their fists clenched. the commission acted in good faith,” retorted Lyman. “You know that aif was fair and aboveboard.” “Liar,” shouted Annixter; ‘‘Liar, hrlhe: You were bought and paid for, and with the words his arm seemed al- tight. their gestures disgrace? Was it “You know Genslinger, siowly; campaign, of interes Derrick.” . “The campaign was not without its in- terc squarely in the face and the force of it sent him staggering backward He tripped over lis valise and fell half way, his back supported against the closed door of the room. sprang forward. struck and the instincts of a fathcr rose up in instant protest; rose for a momeit, then forever died away hecked the words . He lowered his upraised in his heart. iD tl H'm, curious, “Let's see. arm. No, he had but one son. The poor, staggering creature with the fine clothes, white face and blood-streaked lips was A blow could not dishonor him more than he had dishonored him- Safety De no longer his. Y. ng Annixter back, crying: lhlls won't do. Not before his “I am no father to his man, men,” exclaimed Magnus. T have but one son. n to Lyman, “you. sir, leave my house. Lyman, his handkerchief to his iips, his smart cravat in disarray, caught up his He was shaking with fury, eyes were bloodshot. “From now on hat and coat. his protrudin “Ruffians!”’ he shouted from the thres- irty business yourselves after this. I'm e ou. How is it, all of a sud- about honor? How is it that all at once you're so clean and straight? 0 particular at Sacramento he nominations. board elected? I'm a bribe-eater, am Is it any worse than giving a bribe? Ask Magnus Derrick what he thinks Ask him how much he paid the Democratic bosses at Sacramento to swing the convention.” He went otit, s ammin Presley followed. made him sick at heart, filled him with infinite disgust, wished to get away from it all. the dining-room and the excited, clamor- ehind him and stepped out on the porch of the ranchhouse, closing the door behind him. Lyman was nowhere in sight. Presley was alone. and after the lamp-heated air of the. din- ing-room the coolness of the night was delicious, and its vast silence, after the noise and fury of the committee meeting, descended from the stars like a benedic- Presley stepped to the e to the south’ im, mile after mile, illimit- able, covering the earth from horizon to horizon, lay the wheat. The growth, now ny days old, was already high from There it la; You weren't just before fo'fe weeks. weariness. He porch, looking o leaded, the more imj the ground. ocean, shimmering a the moon and under the stars; a ml force, the strength of nations, the life o the world. There in the night, under the dome of the sky, it was growing steadily. To Presley's mind the scene in the room he had just Jeft dwindled to paitry in- significance before this sight. the wheat—it was over raflroad, the ranchers, the traitor false to his trust, all the members of an ob- scure conspiracy. were wrangling. As if human agency could affect this colossal hat were these verish, small nute swarmin, the great, maljestic, si- wheat itself! . resistless, it moved in its ap- d green under mented /Geénslinger, squabbles, . this fe mankind, this' mi hwnan insect, lent ocean of ent, 'e’l‘nuc nti in the sunshine, tiny battles, 6 through their little day, died, and were forgotten; while the wheat, wrapped in Nirvanic calm, grew steadily under the night, alone with the stars and with God. Jackrabbits were a pest that year and Presley occasionally found amusement in hunting them with Harran's half-dozen unds, following the chase on horse- day, béetween two and three months after Lyman's tos, s he was ranch house from ly upon a strange e twenty men, A terman’s tenants, from east of Guad; t he Lumo unex- ixter's and Os- and small ranch the porch, if he could 1 saw its every phase, ,admitted vernor?”’ . S0 great has been the de mand for the firat installment of “The Octopus,” published in The Sumday Call of November 9 that only & few coples of that edition remain. If you missed the firnt number of t| gren. story apply The Sun- day Call of that date at once or you will be too late. “The Gctopus” was written by the late Frank Norria, It is Mr. Norris’ strongest novel. It has justly beer consider- ¢d the nenrest approach to the “great American novel” ever written. It portrays life Jn California mere vividly than y other book extant. 1t mow runaing in The Sunday Call. ) No extra charme! And by this means you read the best uovel of the day—FRFEI A ) i usuany pronicient, he was toid uif (0 instruct a nle of ne more backward. Atter manual ol alws, haifal gave loe com- mand 10 lase aistance as Snirmisners, and when the une hLad Opeued LUL S0 Lnat some haif qozen ivet inlervened between each man, an advance was made across ine fleid, the men StOOPINg IOW and snap- ping the ha lmaginary enemy. The league nad its agents in San Fran- cisco, wuy watched the movements of tne raiiroaq as ciosely as was possible, and some Ume betore this, Annixter had re- ceived word that the marshal deputies were coming down to Bonnevilie 10 put' the dummy bayers of ms rancn in ‘Lne repurt proved to be but lhe first of many faise a.drms, but it had stmulated the league 1o uUnusual activ- ity, ana some three or four huanared men Were furnistied wiln arms and from time to time were drilled in secret, Among themseives, the ranchers said that if the rauroad managers did not be- lieve they were Lerrioly 1l earnest in the sland they had taken, they were makin, a tatal mistake. Hauiran rea-serted this statement Pres.ey on the way home to the ranch hcuse that same duy. Harran had caught up with him by tne time he reached the lower road, and the two jogged homeward through the miles of stanung wheat, ‘“Yhey may jump the rancn, Pres,” he sald, *1f they try hard enougn, but they Wil never do it while I am aive. By the you know we served notices yesterday upon 8. Behrman and Cy. Ruggies to quit the country. se, tney won't do it, but they won't be able to say they didn't have warning.” About an hour later, the two reached the ranch house, but as Harran rode up ihe driveway, he uttered an exclamation. “Heilo,” he sald, ‘'something. is That's Genslinger's buckboard.” In fact, the editor's team was tled un- dernezth the shade of a glant eucalyptus tree near by. Harran, uneasy under this unexpected” visit of the enemy's friend, dizmountcd without stabling his horse, ana went at once to the where visitors were invarlably received. But the dining-room was emply, and his mother toid him that Magnus and the editor were in the “office.” 851G they were not to be disturbed. Earlier in the afternoon had driven up to the porch and had asked rs. Derrick, whom he iound reading a book of poems mers Of Lueir Iifies at an and his you had got ihe rai.ro dining-room, Magnus had the editor At the time the Governor had gone with Phelps to inspect the condition oung wheat on Hooven’s holding, but within half an hour he returned, and Genslinger had asked h ments’ talk in private. The two went into the “‘office,” Magnus locking the door behind him. “‘Very complete you are here, Gov- observed the editor in his alert, Jjerky’ manner, his black, bead-like eyes twinkling around the room from behind his glasses. “Telephone, safe, ticker, count books—well, that's progress, u?fi it? Only way to manage a big ranch these But the day of the big ranch Is As the land appreciates in value, the {emptation to sell off small holdings will be toofstrong. And then the small holding can be cultivated to better ad- 1 shall have an editorial on that im for a “‘few mo- Lord love you, Govs. ernor, I don't want to interview you. We all know how you stand.” ;. Again there was a long silence. Magnus wondered what this little man, usually so arrulous, could want of enslinger began again. He did not look at Magnus, except at long intervals, “About the present Railroad Commis- “That was an inter- you conducted {n Sacra- him.” At iength, b’l‘nus. e: said Genslinger, still more de- liberately, “‘and some phases more interesting than others, as, for in- stance, let us say the way in which you— personally—secureéd the votes of certain chairmen’ of delegations—need I particu- larize further? Yes, those men—the wa. you got their votes. Now, that T say. Mr. Derrick, was the most interest- ing move in the whole game—to you. he murmured, musingly. You deposited two one-thou- cand dollar bills and four five-hundred dollar bills in a box—three hundred and cight was the number—in a box in the sit vaults In San Francis; and then—let's see, you gave a key to t| box to each of the gentlemen in question, and after the election the box was empty. Now, I call that lntenltin%—curlou. cause it's'a new, safe and , ous method of hrlbegA ow did you pen to think of it, 'Go “Do you know what you are doing, sir?"" Magnus burst forth. “Do you know what you are insinuating, here, in my own house 3 ““Why, Governor,” returned the editor, blandly, “I'm not insinuating -anything I'm talking about what I know."” “It's a lie.” Genslinger rubbed his chin reflectively. “Well," he answered, “you can of it were— shouls , be: hly ingéni. ap- ave a chance to prove it before the Grand Jury, if you want to." “My character is known all over the State,” blustered Magnus. “My politics are pure politics. My—" ““No one needs a better reputation for politics than the man who sets out a briber,” interrupted Genslinger, “‘and I might as well tell you. Governor, that you can’t shout me down. my hand on the two chairmen you bought before it's dark to-dav. I've had the'r depositions in my safe for the last six We could make the arresis to- _morrow if we wanted. Governor, you sure @d a risky thing when that Sacramento fig] thing. Some men can afford to have bribery charges preferred against them and it don't burt one little bit, but you— Lord, it would bust you, Governor, bust you dead. 1 know all about the whole shananigan business from A to Z_ and if ou dn?'lz bell!eve It—h?re." - long strip of paper from his cket, “here's a galley proof of the atory?’"’ 85 Magnus took it in his hands. under his eyes, scare-headed, double. i portant clauses print- ed in bold type. was the detailed aceount of the ““deal” Magnus had ma two delegates. It was pitiless, remorse- less. bald. Fvery statement was sub- stantiated. every statistic verified with Genslinger's meticulous love for ness. esides all that it bad the ring of truth. It was exposure, ruin, absolute annihilation. “That's about correct, isn't it?" com. as Derrick finished i e CE S et B bave so insisted upon the pra 'fi' of our sition as opposed to railroad chicanery, I can put ¥you went into ht, an_awful risky he drew a de with the Xact- . Magnus did not . “I think it is chough,” the m continued, “But I thought it. would only be fair to ou to let you see it before it was pub- Highear'*t ¥ The one thought uppermost in Derrick’s m(ndhl‘tu one impulse cf the moment at whatever cost, to preserve his dignity, not to allow this man to exult in the ll’b{ { one quiver of weakness, one trace of defeat, one suggestion of humiliation. By an effort that lyut all his fron rigidi to the test he forced himself to lool straight into Genslinger’'s eyes. *1_congratulate you,” "he observed, g-ndlu back the proof, *“‘vpon your jour- alistic enterprise. Your paper will sell to-morrow."” ‘‘Oh, I don't know as I want to publish this story, remarked the editor, indiffer- ently, putting away the galley. ' “I'm Just like that. The fun for me is running a food story to earth, but once I've got it lose interest. And, then, I wouldn't like to see you—holding the position you do, president of the league and a leading man of the county—I wouldn't like to see a story like this smash you over. s worth more to you to keep it out of print than for me to put in it. I've got nothing_much to gain but a few extra edmgn}:! but you—Lord, you would iose everything. Your committee was in the deal right enough. But your league, all the San Joaquin Valley, everybody in the State belleves the commissioners were fairly elected.” *‘Your story,” suddenly exclaimed Mag nus, struck with an idea, “will be thoroughly discredited just so soon as Lhe new grain tariff s published. I have means of knowing that the San Joaquin rate—the lssue upon which the board was elected—is not to be touched. Is it likeiy the ranchers would secure the election of & board that plays them false?"” ‘Oh, we know ali about that,” answer- ed Genslinger, smiling. *“You thought you were electing Lyman ily, You thougnt to wa.k right into your trap. You didn’t understand how you could pull off your deal so. easily. Why, Governor, Lyman was Piedsed to the railroad two years ago. He was the one particular man the corporation want- ed for commissioner, And your peopie elected him—saved the rallroad all the trouble of campaigning for him. And you can’t make any counter charge of bribery there. No, sir, the corporation didn't use such amateurish methods as that. Con- fidentially and between us_two, all that the railroad has done for Lyman, in or- der to attach him to their interests, is to promise to back him politically in the next campaign for Governor. It's too bad,” he conunued, aropping his voice, and chang- ing his position. *It really is too bad,to sce good men trying to bunt.a stone Wall over with their bare heads. You couldn’t have won at any stage of the game. I wish I could have talked to you and your friends before you went into that Sacra- mento fight. 1 could have told you then how littie chance you had. hen will Yyou people realize that you ecan't buck -iuln-t the railroad? hy, Magnus, it's like me going out in a per boat and shooting peas at a battleship. “Is that all you wished to see me about, Mr. Genslinger?”’ remarked Magnus, be- nh‘-’rlnq. himself. “I b am rather occupied ay. ~Well,” Yeturned the other, “you know what the publication of this article would mean for you.” He paused again, took off his glasses, breathed on them, polish- ed the ienses ‘with his handkerchief and readjusted them on his nose. “I've been thinking, Governor,” he began again, with renewed alertness, and quite Irrelevantly, ‘of enlarging the 'scope of the ‘Mercury.’ You see, I'm midway between the two big centers of the State, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and I want to extend the Mercury’s’ sphere of influence as far up and down the valley as I can. 1 want to illustrate the paper. You gee, If 1 had [ phom-epmvlns plant of my own, I cquld,Po 2 good Jeal of outside jobbing as well, and the investment would pay 10 ger cent. But it takes money to make money. I wouldn't want to put in any dinky, ohe-horse affair. I want a good plant. I've Been figuring out the business. Besides tha gmm. there would be the ex- Eer.we of a high grade paper. Can't print half-tones on anything but coated paper, and that ‘costs. Well, what with this and with that and running expenses till Lhe thing- began to pay, it would cost me about ten thousand dollars, and I was wondering If, perhaps, you couldn’t see your way clear to accommodating me.” “Ten thousand?”’ “Yes. B.E ve thousand down, and the balance within sixty days.’ agnus, for'the moment blind to what Gensidnger had in mind, turned on him in astonishment. “‘Why, man, what security could you giye me for such an amount?" ‘‘Well, to tell the'truth,” answered the editor, 1 hadn't monggt much about se- curities. In fact, 1 bedeved you would se¢ how greatly it was to your advantuge to talk business with me. You see, I'm not going to ‘rflnt this article about you, Governor, and I'm not going to let it get out 80 as any one else can print it, and it seems to me that one good turn de- serves apother, You understand?” Magnug understopd. An overwhelming desire luddfiy took possession of him to grip this blackmailer by the throat, to strangle him where h% stood; or, if not, at least to turn upon him with that old- time terrible anger, before:which whole conpventions bad anag cowered. But in the salne moment the Governor realized this Only its righteo: had made b B terrible; only ihe Jmicr or b2 anger had made him feared. Now the foundation was gone from under his feet; he had knocked it away himself. Three times feeble was he whose quarrel was |unjust. Before this count !paid speaker of the ?ury Ly R Iroad, he stood, convicted. The man had him_ at his mercy, The detected briber could not re- sent an Insult. Genslinger rose, smooth- “Well, e , ‘“of course you want time to'think It over, and you can't raise moaney like that on short notice. 1'll wait till, Friday noon of this week. We begin to set Baturday's paper at 4, Friday aft- ernoon, and the forms are locked about 2 in the morning. I hope,” he ads turning back at the dcor of the room, “that you won't find anything disagreea- Dble in your Saturday morning ‘Mercury,’ Mr. Derrick.” - He went out, closing the door”behind him, and in a moment, Magnus heard the Sl}eel! of his buckboard grating on the riveway. The following morning brought a letter to Magnus from Gethings, of the San Pueblo ramch, which was situated very ciose to Visalia. The letter was to the effect that all around Vi- salia, upon the ranches affected by the 'regrade of the railroad, men were arming and drmhaf, and that the ‘strength of the league In that quar- ter was undoubted. “But to refer,” con- tinued the letter “‘to a most painful rec- +cligction. You will, no doubt, remember that, at the close of our last committee meeling, specific charges were made as to fraud in the nomination and election of one of our commissioners, emanating, most unfortunately. from the commis- sloner himself. These charges, my dear Mr. Derrick, were directed at yourself. - How the secrets of the committee have been noised about, I cannot under- stand. You may be, of course, assured of my own unquestioning confidence and to state not only that the rumor of the charges referred to above is spreading in this district, but also their are made use of by the enemies of the le: 1t is to Be deplored that some of ihe league themsélves—you know, we number in olfi ranks many small farmers, ignorant Portuguese and foreigners—have listened to these storics and have permitted a feeling_of uneasiness to devglo{ among them. Even though it were admitted that audylent means had been employed in the elections, which, of course, T do not ° per;anl!ly admit, I do not think it would make very much difference in the confi- dence which the vast majority of the leagyers repose in their chl ety Yot we hat I believe it advisable to dispel t! distant suspicion at once; to publish a de- nial of these rumored charges would only be to give them too much importance. However, cannot you write me a letter, stating exactly how the gn’ was conducted. and the comm n nomi- nated and elected? I could show t to some of the more disaffected, and it would serve to allay all suspicion on the ~instant. I think it would be well to write as though the Inm%flve came. not from me: but from yourself, ignoring this pres- ent letter. I-offer this onl: a sugges- tion, and will confidently indorse any de- cision you may arrive at. 4 The letter c! %ud with renewed protest- nce, 2 e il S Th 4 vpd e ;- re e SRbiBet 1n' his office. and wiped the swea from his forehead and face. He stood for one m&mg}} g:l‘ hands rigid at his sides, his nched. TS it priege i e i e T "ot opr What ant 1t do’ Ah, the bitterness of una compromise . with con- _the re-ou.! 2 bad deed dong :m:ihc-t of :l“ t. Ah, hu- itlation o!dnccdom d-rndn'a:n of being caught, caugnt like a schoolboy pil- I e LeHOWS GesSKS, and, Worse L.ai all, Worse ian all, Lue CuloCiUUsuESsS us lost seif-respect, the Knowiedge of a pres- tfic vanishing, a dignity impaired, Kuowi- that tne grp wulca bed a mutitude in checa was (re.aping, LOAL CONLIVE Was Wavering, Lial command was being weas- ened. ‘iuen lae utue tNcks to deceive Lhe crowd, tne litue subLertuges, tne litue pretenses thal Kept Up appeurances, tne lies, the bluster, the pose, the strut, tne iuconude, wnere unce was ilron author- ¥; lne turning of ine head so as not to Ses tnat whnicu could not be prevented: the suspicion of suspicion, the hauntng fear of tne man on the street, the un- easiness of the direct giance, the ques- tioning as to motives—why had this been sald, Wluthawnlmenq{l by that word, tnat gesture, that glance 2 passed, and Thursday. Mag- nus kept to nimseif, seeing no visitors, avolding even his family. tHow to break through the mesh of the net, how to re- gain the oid position, how to prevent dis- covery? If there were only some way, some vast, superhuman efiort by which he could rise in his old strength once more, erushing Lyman with one hand. Gensiinger wich the other, and for one more moment, the last, to stand supreme again, indomiiabie, the leader; then go to bis death, triumphant at the end, hi3 memory untarnisned, his fame undimmed. But tne piague spot was in himself, knit- ted forever into the tabric of hig being. ‘Lhough Genslinger should be sllenced, though Lyman should be crusned, though even the league shouid overcome the ra: road, tnouga he should be the acknow edged leader of a resplendent victory, yet the piague spot Wou,u remain. There was no success for him now.. However con- spicuous the outward achievement, he, he himseif, Magnus Derr.ck, had faied, mis- erably and irredeemably. Petty, material cu.apiications intruded, sordid consiuerations. Even if Gensinger was to be pluh where was the money to ccme from? His legal batties with the railroad, extenaing 1.0w over a period of many years, had cost him dear; his plan of sowing ail of Los Muertos to wheat, discharging the temamts, had proved ex- pensive, the campaign resulting in Ly- man's election had urawn neavlly upon kis account. All along he had been rely- ing upon a “bonanza crop'’ to reimburse him. It was not bellevabie that the ral- road would “jump” Los Muertos, buc if this should happen, he wouid be left with- oul ‘resources. Ten thousand doilars! Could he raise the amount? Possibly. But to pay it out to a blackmaller! To be heid up thus in road agent fashion, with- out a single means of redress! Would it not cripple him financially? Genslinger could do his worst! He, Magnus, would brave it out. Was not his character above suspicion? Was {t? This letter of Gethings’. Al- ready the murmur of uneasiness made itself heard. Was this not the thin edge of the wedge? How the publication of Genslinger's story would drive it' home! How the spark of suspiclon would flare into the blaze of open accusation! There would be investigations. Investigation! There wag terror in the word. He could not stand Investigation. Magnus groaned aloud, covering his head with his clasped hands. Briber, corrupter of government, ballot-box stuffer, descending to the level of back-room politicians, of barroom beelers, he, Magnus Derrick, statesman of the old school, Roman in his iron integ- rity, abandoning a career rather than en- ter the “new politics,” had. in one moment of weakness, hazarding all, even honor, on a single stake, taking great chances to achieve great resuits, swept away the work of a lifetime. Gambler that he was, he had at last chanced his highest-stake, his personal honor, in the greatest game of his life, and had lost. It was Presley’s morbidly keen observa- tion that first noticed the evidence of a new trouble In the Governor's face and manner. Presley was sure that Lyman's defection had not so upset him. The morning after the committee meeting. Magnus had called Harran and Annie Derrick into the offics and, after telling his wife of Lyman’s betrayal, had for- bidden either of them to mention his name aga'n. His attitude toward his prodigal son was that of stern unrelent- ing resentment. But now Presley could not fail to detect traces of a more deep- seated travail. Something was in_ the wind. The times were troublous. What next was about to happen? What fresh calamity impended? One morning toward the very end of the week Presley woke early in his small, white-painted iron bed. He hasf:ned to get up and dress. There was much to be done that day. Until late the night before he had been at work on a coliec- tion of some of h's verses, gathered from the magazines in which they had first ap- peared. Presley had received a liberal offer for the publication of these verses in book form. *“The Toilers” was to be included in this book, and, indeed, was to give it its name—'"The Toilers and Other Poems.” Thus It was that, until the previows midnight. he had h-an pre- paring the collection for publication, re- vising, annotating, artang..g. ihe DOUK was to be sent off that morning. But also Presley had received a type- written note from Annixter. inviting him to Quien Sabe that same day. Annixter explained that it was Hilma's birthday, and that he had planned a picnic on the high ground of his ranch,'at the head- waters of Broderson Creek. They were to go im the carry-all—Hilma, Presley, Mrs. Dyke, Sidney and himself—and were to make a day of it. They would leave Quien Sabe at 10 in the morning. Pres- ley had at once resolved to go. He was immensely fond of Annixter—more so than ever since his marriage with Hilma and the astonishing transformation of his character. Hilma, as well, was delightful as Mrs. Annixter; and Mrs. Dyke and the little tad had always been his friends. He would have a good time. But nobody was to go into Bonneville that morning with the mail, and If he wished to rend his manuscript he would have to take it in himself. He had re- solved to do this, getting an early start, and going on horseback to Quien Sabe, by way of Bonneville. It was barely 6 o’clock when Presley sat down to his coffee and eggs in the dining-room of Los Muertos. The day romised to be hot, and for the first time Tesley had put on a new khaki riding suit, very English looking, though in lace of the regulation top boots he wore gl- laced knee boots, with a great spur on the left heel. Harran joined him at breakfast, in his working clothes of blue canvas. He was bound for the irrigating ditch to see how the work was getting on there. “How is the wheat looking?” asked Presley. 3 P Bully.” answered the other, stirring hls toffee. ‘The Govérnor has had his usual luck. Practically every acre of the ranch was sown to wheat, and every- where the stand Is good. I was over on Two, day. before yesterday, and if noth- ing_happens 1 belleve it will go thirty sacks to the acre there. Cutter reports that there are svots on Four where we wi?l get forty-two or three. Hooven, too, brought up some wonderful fine ears for me to look at. The grains were just be- ning to show. Some of the ears carried {vlrnenty grains. That means nearly fort bushels of wheat to every acre. I call it a bonana year.! ‘“Have you lflt, nl'lyi ‘tm“tl?" said Presley, rising. “T'm going into town. Harran shook his head and took himselt away, and Presley went down to the stable-corral to get his pony. As he rode out of the stable yard and passed by the ranch house on the drive- way he was surprised to see Magnus on the lowest step of the porch. “Good morning, Governor,' clntfl.’Pflh ley. ‘“Aren't you up pretiy el::;y? = “Good morning, Pres, my e Governor _came forward and putting his hand on the pony's withers walked along by his side. g “Going to town, Pres?” he asked. “Yes, sir. Can I do anything for you, Governor?" Magnus drew a sealed envelope from lis pocket. “1 wish you would drop in at the oflice of the Mercury for me. he said, “and Mr. Genslinger anully and give fif- this envelope. is a package of pers, but they involve a considerable sum of money, and you must be careful of them. A few years ago. when our g Mr. Genslinger and I had some business dealings with each other. I thought it as well just now, considering that we are so openly opposed, to urm‘l#ne the whole affair, break off relations. We came to a settlement a few days ago. These are the final papers. They must be given to him in person, Presley. You nnderstand.” Presiey cantered on, turning into the county road and holding northward oy the I‘:’Imh waufl}x' tank and Broder- son’s. popular windbreak. As he passed SsLr.an Maasmeaeh a enlutluon which the other returned. ° egrees Presley aad come {o con- sider Caraher in a more favorable light. 1 to_his immense nn&nhhmmt. St CaTEhes e Parthont Bt bodis cts and quotations from but from extra o v tings, inted in the U %:‘ un:h(’v‘vo - .geld loi 'wnnr- M,‘”lnd from -aher’ n‘&n IE: gflq hear death of his wife, who had been acci- dentally kilied by Pinkertons during & demonstration” of strikers. It invested the saloon-keeper, in Presiey’s imagina=~ tion, with all the ‘dignity of the tr':rdr He even wondered how it was the saloon- keeper had not put his theories into prac- tice and ag:ned his ancient wrong with his “sixTnches of pluzged gaspipe.” Pres- ley began to conceive of the man as a “‘character.” “You wait, Mr. Presley,” the saloon- keeper had once said when Presley had protested against his radical ideas. “You don't know the railroad yet. Watch it and its doings long enough and you'll come over to my way of thinking, too.” It was about 7:3) when Presley reached Bonneville. The business part of the town was as yet hardly astir; he dis- patched his manuscript and then hurried to the office of the Mercury. Gen- slinger, as he feared, had not yet put in appearance. but the janitor of the build- ing gave Fresley the addr: ed- itor’s residence, and it was there he found him in_the act of sitting down to break- fast. Presley was hardly courteous to the little man and lbfll?‘fly refused his offer of a drink. He delivered Magnus’ envelope to him and departed. It had occurred to him that it would not do to present himself at Sabe on Hilma's birthday empty-han and on leaving Genslinger's house he turned his “pony’s head toward t! business part of the town, again pulling up in front of the jeweler’s, Just as the clerk was taking down the shutters. At the jeweler's he purchased a little breoch for Hilma and at the cigar stand in the lobby of the Yosemite House a box of superfine cigars, which, when it was too iate. he realized that the master of Quien Sabe would never smoke, holding. as he did, with deflant inconsisteney, to, miserable weeds, black, bitter and flag- rantly doetored, which he bought, three for a nickel, at Guadalajara. Presley arrived at Quien Sabe nearly half an hour behind the a ited time; but, as he had expected, the party were in no way ready to start. The carry-all, {is horses covered with white flynets, stood under a tree near the house, youn Vacea dozing on the seat. ima an Sidrey, the latter exuberant with a gay- ety that all but brought tears to Presley’s ¢yes, were making sandwiches-on the back perech. Mrs. Dyke was nowhere to be seen and Annixter was shaving him- seif in his bedroom. This latter put a half-lathered face out out of the window as Presley cantered through the gate and waved his razor Wwith a beckoning motion. ““Come on in, Pres,” he cried. “No- aody ready yet. You're hours ahead of ime. Presley came into the bedroom, his huge spur cllnkm*on the straw .matting. Annixter was without coat, vest or col- lar, his biue suspenders hung In loops over either hip, his hair was disordered, the erown lock stiffer than ever. “‘Glad to see you, old boy,” he 1= nounced as Presley came in. “No, don't shake hands, I'm all lather. Here, find a chair, will you? I won't be long."” “I thought you said 10 o'clock,” ob- served Presley, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Well, 1.did but—" “But, then again, in a way, you didn't, rax his friend interrupted. nnixter grunted good-humoredly and turned to strop his razor. Presley iooked with suspicious disfavor at his suspend- ers. “Why is it."” he observed, “that as soon as 4 man s about to get married. he buys himself pale blue suspenders, silk ones? Think of it. You, Buck Annixter, with sky-biue, silk suspenders. It ought to be a strap and a nail.” iz, “'Old fool,” observed Annixeter, whose repartee was the heaving of brickbats. “Say,” he continued, holding the razor from his face and jerking his head over his shoulder, while he looked at Presiey's reflection in his mirror, “say, look around. -Isn't this a nifty little room? We refitted the whole house, you know. Notice she's all painted?” have been looking around,” answered Presley, sweeping the room with a serfes of glances. ‘He forbore criticism. An- nixter was so boyishly proud of the effect that it would have been unkind to have undeceived him. Presley looked at the marvelous, department store bed of brass, with its brave, gay canopy: the mill-made washstand, with its pitcher and bowl of blending red and green china. the straw- framed ,lithographs of symbolic female figures ‘against the multi-colored, new wall paper; the inadequate spindie chairs of white and gold; the sphere of tissue paper hanging from the gas fixture, and the plumes of pampas grass tacked to the wall at artistic angles. and overhanging two. astonishing oil paintings, in dazal golden frames. “‘Say. how about those paintings, Pres?” inquired Annixter a little uneasily. “T don’t knew whether they're good cr not, They were painted by a three-fingered Chinaman in Monterey, and I got the lot for $30, frames thrown in. Why, I think the frames alone are worth $30.” “Well, so do I’ declared Presley. He hastened to change the subject. “‘Buck,” he said, “I hear you've brought Mrs. Dyke and Sidney to live with you. You know, I think that's rather white “‘Oh, rot, Pres,” muttered Annixter, turning abruptly to his shaving. “And_you can’t fool me, either, old man,” Presley continued. “You're givin; this picnic as much for Mrs. Dyke an: the little tad as you are for your wife, just to cheer them up a bit.” e Phat s the et e o do “Well, that's the right t to Buck, and ' as gieh Tor your sare ac’l am for theirs. There was a time when you would have let them all go to and never so much as thought of ti . I don’t want to seem to be officious, but you've changed for the better, old man, and I guess I know why. She—" Presley caught his friend's eye, and added grave- ly, “she’s a good woman, Buek.” Annixter turned around abruptly, his face flushing under its lather. ‘Pres,” he_exclaimed,. “she’s made a man of me. I was a machine before, and if another man, or woman, or el got in my way I rode 'em down, and I never dreamed of anybody else but myself. But as soon as I woke up to the fact that I really loved her, why, it was glory hal- lelujah all in a minute and, in a way, I kind of loved everybody then and wan to be everybody’s friend. And I see that a fellow can’t live for any more than he can live by He's got to think of others. If he's got brains, he’s got to think for the poor ducks ‘that haven't 'em, and not give 'emy a boot in the backsides because they hape Een to be stupid; and if he's got m, s fol to help those that are hy and If he’s got a house, he's got to think of those that ain't got anywhere to T've got a whole lot-of ideas since I Ban to.Jove Hilma, and just as can I'm going to get in and hel, and I'm going to keep to that rest of my natural life. That ain’ of a religion, but it's the best and Henry Ward Beecher couldn’t any more than that. And it’s all come about because of Hilma, and because we cared for each other.” Presley jumped up and caught Annix- ter about the shoulders with one arm, gripping his hand hard. This absurd ure, with dangling silk suspenders, laf ered chin and tearful eyes, suddenly invested with true nobility. “You're all right, old man,” claimed, unable to think of anything ade-. quate. “You're all right. That's the way to talk, and here, by the way, I brought Yyou a box of cigars.” Annixter stared as Presley the box on the edge of the “Old fool,” he remarked; “what in hell did you do_that for?"” *“Oh, just for fun.” “I suppose they're rotten stinkodoras, or you wouldn't give 'em away.” be"'l'hh cringing gratitude—" Presley gan. “‘Shut up,” shouted Annixter, and the incident was closed. Annixter resumed his shaving, and Presley lit a cigarette. "A:xej‘r’_ news from Washington?” he quer! “Not! that's any good,” An- nixter. ““Hello,” he added, sing his head, “there’s somebody in a hurry for The noise of a horse Gglll So fast that the boofbeats mn!:‘a’ one unin- !srn?l.d rattle abruptly made itself heard. ’l‘h-nnmw-lqn.fifiu-fln direction of; the road that from_the mission to.Quien Sabe. With incredible swiftness the hoofbeats drew nearer. brought ' Presley to his feet. Annixter '.hra.vh :auw” i e ‘‘Runaway,” “excial Presley. an “Jum ranch, flung hand (o his t.