"
"Very happy to test your prescription," responded Singer, genially.
I started to go with him, but I couldn't resist turning to Mr. Camp
and his friends and saying--
"Gentlemen, the G.S. is a big affair, but it isn't quite big enough to
fight the U.S."
CHAPTER XVI
A GLOOMY GOOD-BY
At that point my importance ceased. Apparently seeing that the game
was up, Mr. Camp later in the morning asked Mr. Cullen to give him an
interview, and when he was allowed to pass the sentry he came to the
steps and suggested--
"Perhaps we can arrange a compromise between the Missouri Western and
the Great Southern?"
"We can try," Mr. Cullen assented. "Come into my car." He made way for
Mr. Camp, and was about to follow him, when Madge took hold of her
father's arm, and, making him stoop, whispered something to him.
"What kind of a place?" asked Mr. Cullen, laughing.
"A good one," his daughter replied.
I thought I understood what was meant. She didn't want to rest under
an obligation, and so I was to be paid up for what I had done by
promotion. It made me grit my teeth, and if I hadn't taught myself not
to swear, because of my position, I could have given sheriff Gunton
points on cursing. I wanted to speak up right there and tell Miss
Cullen what I thought of her.
Of the interview which took place inside 218, I can speak only at
second-hand, and the world knows about as well as I how the contest
was compromised by the K. & A. being turned over to the Missouri
Western, the territory in Southern California being divided between
the California Central and the Great Southern, and a traffic
arrangement agreed upon that satisfied the G.
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