the annual dividend."

He paused and as Mary went on with her writing a dead silence fell upon
the room. L. W. glanced at Jepson and then at Stoddard and at last he
cleared his throat.

"Well, Mr. President," he said, half-heartedly, "this is a new
proposition to me. I regret very much that Mr. Jones isn't here,
but--well, I make a motion that we build the smelter and pass the
annual dividend."

He spoke with an effort, his eyes on the table, and at the end he sank
back in his chair.

"Did you get that, Miss Fortune?" asked Stoddard solicitously and Mary
nodded her head.

"Yes, I second the motion," she answered sweetly and an electric thrill
passed round the room. It had not been expected by the most optimistic
that the vote would be unanimous.

"All in favor, say 'Ay!' spoke up Stoddard sharply, but L. W. had
sprung to his feet.

"Mr. President!" he began, suddenly panting with excitement, and
Stoddard fixed him with his steely eyes.

"Very well, Mr. Lockhart," he responded curtly, "what is it you wish to
say?"

"Why, I--I didn't know," began L. W. haltingly, "that she was going to
vote--that way."

"Well, you know it now," answered Stoddard freezingly, "does that
conclude your remarks?"

"Oh, no!" burst out L. W., his drawn face twitching. "I--in that case,
I change my vote. I don't think Mr. Jones----"

"You haven't voted yet," corrected Stoddard shortly, "all in favor
please say: 'Ay!'"

"Ay!" said Mary and as Stoddard echoed it he cast a sneering glance at
L. W.

"Do I understand, Mr. Lockhart," he enquired pointedly, "that you wish
to go on record as voting 'No'?"

"Yes, put me down 'No!'" directed L. W. feverishly. "I don't approve
of this at all. Rimrock needs the money--he wrote me particularly--I
wouldn't put him out for the world." He straightened the stoop from
his long, bent back and his eyes opened up appealingly. "Put me down
for a 'No,'" he repeated wildly. "My God, he'll kill me for this. I
wouldn't cross that boy for anything in the world--he's the best friend
a man ever had. But put me down 'No'--you will, won't you, Miss? I
don't want Rimrock to know."

"Mr. Lockhart votes 'No,'" broke in Stoddard peremptorily, "the 'Ayes'
have it and the motion is carried. Is there any other business?"

His cold, incisive words seemed almost to stab, but L. W. still swayed
on his feet.

"I'd like to explain," he went on brokenly. "I never go back on a
friend. But Rimrock,