"The local claims amount to something like sixty-five thousand dollars,
which is a sum of considerable importance, distributed in a town of this
size. I had intended to pay these claims in full, largely as a matter of
sentiment, presuming that among those affected there were at least a
few of my daughter's friends. What she has said to-night gives the
matter a new face. It is now a business proposition with me. I am no
philanthropist where my interests or affections are not concerned.

"The offer I am about to make you can take or you can leave, but I've a
notion self-interest will prevail over your temporary pique, since you
no doubt realize that unless something is done almost immediately this
segregated land will revert to the state.

"I will not pay any debts of former companies, and I will take over the
controlling stock--not at the figure at which you are holding it, but at
what I consider a fair price. I will enlarge the ditch and complete the
project so that it will meet every requirement of the state engineers
and turn it over to the settlers under it when it has been demonstrated
to be a complete success."

They thought he had done, and again looked at each other with deep-drawn
breaths, when he resumed:

"There is one more condition upon which I insist: It is that in the
purchase of the stock I deal with the stockholders direct. There shall
be no commission paid to a go-between." He looked at Toomey as he spoke.
"My reason for this is purely personal, but nevertheless my offer rests
upon this stipulation." There was no mistaking the finality of his tone
or the cold enmity of his voice.

In a night of surprises this seemed the climax. What did it mean, since
there had not been the slightest hint that Toomey and Prentiss were not
the warmest of friends? In the dramatic silence each could hear his
neighbor breathe.

Toomey looked stunned, then, as he recovered himself, the vein in his
temple swelled and his sallow face darkened to ugly belligerence.

"I don't understand this!" he cried, raising his voice as he endeavored
to return Prentiss's steely gaze with one of defiance. "But I'll serve
notice now that I'll have the commission to which I'm entitled, or I'll
sue for it and tie the whole thing up!"

Gov'nor Sudds started to his feet to voice a hot protest, as did other
leading citizens who saw the chance to rehabilitate their fortunes
vanish at the threat, but they were overshadowed, overborne by the