The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-01-25

| y
that his companion seemed neither an.
CRY nor indignant. Indeed, Mr. Stephen
Carlow, who was weak-eyed beardless
young man, with receding chin and O
propensity for giggling, apparently re-
garded the old gentleman's parental anx'
iety as an excellent joke, and chuckled
for several minutes before he could find
words to reply.
$50 you've heard Of 1t at last, have
you, Mr.. Brown?" inquired the young
man, as soon as he could speak.
"Rumors have reached my ears" said
the old gentleman, greatly startled
"What have you heard, eh?' inquired
young Carlow, abruptly.
"Well, nothing definite. I should be
very much obliged to you If you will
tell me every thing. You will be doing
a real service to your friend," said MIR.
Brown, earnestly.
"Shall | though? Perhaps he may not
think so, said the young man, sagely,
as he contemplated his hosts anxious
countenance with a humorous glance.
"He shall never know. / give you
my word of honor that will not men,
tion your name" cried the old gentle
man, who could scarcely control his
nervous excitement.
THAT won't quite do, either. You
got me into row once before, Mr..
Brown. / told you something in CON
fidence, ana Jack at once guessed whore
you got it from. No, hang me if I'll say
word" said Mr.. Carlow, with sudden
seriousness, evidently strongly moved
by some unpleasant reminiscence.
81 will comply with whatever condi-
tion you like to make" said Mr. Brown,
| lingering his cigar nervously.
"I'll tell you what; promise that you
won't say any thing to Jack about the
matter! There are more ways than one
of killing cat. Your best chance of
| stopping this little affair is to get at the
lady," said Mr.. Carlow, with a knowing
wink.
Every we'll, l PROMISE" said Mr..
Brown, trembling at the mention of the
substantive feminine.
cts Lola Bell he's gone upon.
Mr.. Carlow.
"Who is Lola Bell?' inquired the old
gentleman, setting his teeth.
Lola Bell! Don't you know? Why,
you can see her photo in all the shop
windows, " said Mr.. Carlow, little con-
temptuously. "a celebrated actress, of
course"
so, that is the lady, is it? Lola Bell"
said Mr.. Brown, endeavoring to speak
calmly.
THAT is her name at present, but
Jack is so gone on her that she may be
Mrs. Jack Brown by this time, for all l
know" said Mr.. Carlow, airilv.
Good heavens! You don't mean to say
that he has married her?" cried Jacks
unfortunate parent.
mo, don't think so, really" said
Mr.. Carlow, with deliberation. "But
he will"
'He shan't, said Mr.. Brown, desper-
ately.
"There is only one way to prevent it,"
returned Mr.. Carlow. "If you like to
leave it to me, Mr.. Brown, think | can
manage it"
"You" exclaimed Mr.. Brown, perhaps
trifle contemptuously.
"Ges, me. I've seen something of the
world, and know how those things are
done. It's a question of squaring," said
Mr.. Carlow, lowering his voice.
''Oh! you mean that you think the
the lady can be bribed," said old Mr..
Brown, with CLEAN of hope.
III manage it if you give me carte
blanche, Mr.. Brown" replied Mr.. Car
low, with easy confidence. But it's
delicate business, and ] expect she will
open her mouth pretty wide"
what sort of fgure?" inquired Mr..
Brown, cautiously.
''It might be five thou.," said Mr.. Car
low, blowing cloud of smoke, and
watching it with an distracted express
sion.
Five thousand pounds! Preposter-
ous," exclaimed the old gentleman.
II say it might be; but daresay can
make her listen to reason" returned Mr..
Carlow. Anyhow, you can rely upon
my getting you off as cheap as possible"
Old Mr.. Browns business instincts be-
ing fully aroused by the turn the con-
versation had taken, he began to recover
from the state of nervous excitement
into which he had been thrown by Mr..
Carlow's news, and to reflect with toler-
able calmness on the situation. His first
impulse had been to avail himself of his
young friends proffered services, but
few minutes consideration caused him
to abandon the idea. He did not doubt
Mr.. Stephens honesty and good inten-
tions, but he had no reason to feel conf
dence in his tact and business capac-
ity, Beside which, it occurred to him
that possibly young Carlow might be
equally wrong in his surmises as to
Jacks intentions and the lady's nature.
There might be no question of marriage
between them, or, in any case, Miss Lola
Bell might be open to the conviction
that by marrying penniless, disinher
tied young man she would be acting
foolishly in her own interests. In short,
Mr.. Brown concluded that he could con-
duct the negotiations himself at least as
well as his young friend, and he there
fore said at length:
81 really don't think that / need
trouble you, Mr.. Carlow. If You will
give me the lady's address / will call
upon her."
Mr. Stephen Carlow looked so startled
and disconnected by this announcement
that for single instant he inspired his
companion with vague feeling of doubt
and mistrust; but he said at length, with
a careless laugh:
"All right! don't want to interfere,
Mr.. Brown, but let me give you tip
don't let out who you are"
"Why?" inquired the old gentleman.