Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/358

 "You — you would retain mc as president?" he asked, heavily.

Her answer came with the decisive snap of a rapid fire gun.

"Certainly not. You demonstrated your unfitness to occupy a position of such responsibility when you allowed yourself to be influenced by a man of Neifkins' stripe, to say nothing of the lack of knowledge of human nature which you have shown in your dealings with me.

" The man who enabled me to block your game when you thought you had me down and out — not through any particular kindness of heart or chivalry, but because he had the gift of insight into character — the discernment to recognize a safe loan — will take your place. Abram Pantin, if he wants it, will be this bank's next president."

Wentz looked his amazement.

So that was the source from which her money had come! The bank's ancient enemy had taken what any other man in Prouty would have considered an extremely long chance. Wentz never had blamed himself, but this news made him wince. Pantin — the fox — rather anyone else! A rebellious expression came over the man's face. With Abram Pantin in his chair his humiliation would be complete.

"I won't do it! "he blurted.

" Then you'll suspend. I don't bluff. There isn't a plea you can make, or a single argument, that will have any weight. There's but this one way to save your reputation and your bank. Do you quite realize what failure means, coming at this time? It means the finishing touch to a nearly bankrupt town. It means that the temper of your depositors will be such that you're liable to be