ts, and that a movement was on foot to reopen the estate
with a view to challenging the inventory. The names of Charles Holton
and his Uncle William, president of the First National Bank of
Montgomery, appeared frequently in the article, which closed with a
statement signed by both men that the stories afloat were baseless
fabrications; that the company was earning its charges and that the
rumors abroad through the state were the result of a conspiracy by a
number of stockholders to seize control of the company.

Looking up, Phil saw her father pass the window, and before she could
knock on the glass to attract his attention he came in hurriedly.

"'Lo, daddy!"

"What are you up to, Phil? Where's Barker?"

"Out taking the air. His local's quit and I'm doing a few literary gems
for him." She rose and leaned across the counter. Anxiety was plainly
written on her father's face, and she surmised that something of
importance had brought him back from the city at this hour. He had not
expected to return until Saturday, and this was only Thursday.

"I must see Barker. Where do you suppose he went?"

"He's trying to make up his mind what to do about that," said Phil,
indicating the clipping.

Kirkwood took from his pocket several sheets of typewritten legal cap,
and ran them over.

"I want him to print this; it must get in to-day. The people here
mustn't be stampeded by those stories. A repetition of them in the
'Star' might do great harm--incalculable harm to the community and to
all its interests."

"It doesn't sound pretty--that piece in the 'Advertiser.'"

"It's all surmise and speculation. That's what I've been in the city
about lately; and if they give us a chance we'll pull it out without
scandal."

"Suppose I write an interview with you along that line and stick your
statement on the end of it?"

"I'll have to see Barker first: he's supposed to be unfriendly to the
Holtons--old political feeling."

It occurred to Phil that it was odd for her father to be interposing
himself between the Holtons and scandalous insinuations of the press as
to their integrity. Tom Kirkwood reflected a moment, then opened the
gate in the office railing and sat down beside her.

"I've got to get the twelve o'clock train back," he said, "and this must
go in to-day. We must reassure the people as quickly as possible."

She wrote an opening paragraph without further parley and read it. He
made a few changes, and then dictated