Ridgway of Montana (Story of To-Day, in Which the Hero Is Also the Villain)

talk with Ridgway, which he had graciously promised the latter. Eaton and his chief we

t it; said it was imp

ough the letter swiftly, and tossed it to

he suggests. Add that I expect to be in my offices all morning, and shall be glad to make an appointment

compromise with the great trust builder would be cause for felicitation. He had confidence in his chief to any point in reason, but he could not blind himself to the fact that the wonderful successes he had gained were provisional rather than final. He likened them to Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah raid, very successful in irritating

der that answer before we send it, W

smissal to the secret

consid

to reject his advances bef

re doing business on equal terms. Even if I meant to comp

not to offer hi

t worry me

avail. "It would worry me a good deal. He has shown an incli

s

look like

and looked thoughtfully at his

ean?" asked the su

e, and I'm happy. You've got to take the world by the throat and shake success out of it if you're going to score heavily. That's how Harley made good years ago. Read the story of his life. See the chances he took. He throttled combinations a dozen ti

if you

"But YOU don't need to take it. If you want, you can get out now at the top market price. I fe

temperament resp

sit tight. I'

have hated like hell to see you leave me. You're the only man I

tment, and appeared at the offices of the Mesa Ore-producing Company at the time set. That Ridgway, who was busy with one of his superintendents, should a

o himself as the only possible explanation,

been in litigation between the two big interests at Mesa. Neither party to the suit had waited for the legal decision, but each of them had put a large force at work stoping out the ore. Occasional confl

-drill pipe as soon as they break through. Have a lot of loose rock there mixed with a barrel of lime. Let loose the air pressure full on the pile, and give it to their men straight. Follow them up to the

dge. "You'll stand by me,

ouble. But if anything does, I'll see you thro

done, Mr. Ridgway," sa

d," suggested Eaton du

e bold course is always the safe one? It's the quitter that loses out every time. The strong man gets there; the weak one falls down. It's a

He had gone to meet another man instead of making the man come to him, and he had waited

stened, wary and unwavering. They might have been jungle beasts of prey crouching for

are extremely unusual. I rest under so great a personal obligation to you that I am willing to overlook a certain amount of youthful pr

? I left you to

at you did for

the younger man curtly. "You are un

nerous of you, M

generosity at all. What I mean is that the thing I did was done with no reference whatever to you. It is between me and her alone.

o him by her guardian, under fear of imminent ruin, before her ignorance of the world had given her experience to judge for herself. The money and the hidden hunger of sentiment he wasted on her brought him only timid thanks and wan obedience. But for this man, with his hateful, confident youth, he had seen the warm smile touch her lips and the delicate color rose her cheeks. Nay, he had seen more her arms around his neck and her, warm breath

am concerned, but I have always made it a rule to look after details when it became necessary. I came to Montana to crush you. I have always regarded you as a menace to our legitimate interests, and I had quit

ghed hardily. "I

uietly. "Many men have heard and not belie

xperience instead of borrowing it

except to serve some purpose of His own. I think I see that purpose. 'The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,'" he quoted unctiously. "I am con

ner circle of finance that in effect ruled the nation. That Harley's suave friendliness would bear watching he did not doubt for a moment, but, once inside, so his vital youth told him proudly, he would see to it that the billionaire did not betray him. A week ago he could have asked nothing better than this chance to bloat himsel

od's pity that such a lamb should be cast to this ravenous wolf! He felt again her arms creeping round his neck, the divine trust of her lovely eyes. He had saved her when this man who called himself her husband had left her to perish in the storm. He had made her happy, as she had

one competent for the great work lying before you. The opportunity is waiting; I furnish it, and you the untiring energy of youth to make the most of the chance." His wolfish smile bared the tusks for a moment. "I find myself not so young as I was. The

man had ever penetrated. He began to see why nobody had ever understood Harley. He knew there would be no r

petition, and consequent harmony and reduced expense in management. Mr. Ridgwa

repression of a rage that had been growing intense. "I say war, and without quarter. I don't believe you can beat

t he never winked a lash at the ringing challenge of his oppo

ll remember that I offered you the greatest chance that ever came to a man of your age. You are one of those men

my own master and not as the slave of Simo

but those of the New Yo

sionless smile at his thin lips. "I make you a business propo

d man of his time, execrated by the working classes, despised by the country at large, and distrusted by his fellow exploiters. Yet, as a business opponent, Ridgway had always taken him impersonally, had counted him for

weet, shy smile, her sudden winsome moments, the deep light in her violet eyes; and in the b