"Miss Wharton," he said slowly; "do you know what Gary Warden is doing--what the company with which your father is connected, is doing ?" "Yes," said the girl, frankly; "they--all of them--are trying to control the western cattle market." She looked straight at him, with no sign of embarrassment.
"That is business, isn't it?
It is what men are beginning to call 'big business.' It means centralization of power, resources--and a number of things that go with it.

It is an admirable scheme--don't you think?
It eliminates uncertainty, risk of loss.

It means the stabilizing of the cattle industry; it means gigantic profits to the men who have brains big enough to control it." Lawler smiled.

"Also, Miss Wharton, it means the complete subjection of the cattle raiser.

It means that competition will be stifled; that the cattle owner will be compelled to take what prices the buyers offer.