Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-09-04


men rushed by, hopping their fevered
brows; throng Of people had gathered
near the broad entrance to the cham
Der, and all its windows were low
cred to secure free and fresh currents OF
air. Lane fancied he could hear the
shouts of the combatants in the pit even
above the ceaseless roar and rattle of
wheels upon the stone pavement. Little
by little the minute hand was stealing to
the vertical, and still no sign from Clark.
Has she touched a half YETI he heard
one man eagerly ask another as they
dived into the brokers' Office underneath.
Not yet; but I'm betting she does in
side of five minutes and reaches ninety
nine first thing tomorrow"
At last boom went the great bella
single, solemn stroke. There was rush
Of men for the street, general scurry
towards the great board of trade build
ing, rapidly increasing crowd along
the curbstones as the members came
pouring ont, and brokers and their Gus
toners hurried away towards numberless
little offices all ovor tho neighborhood.
Dozens Of them passed along under his
post of observation, some flushed, some
deathly pale. and finally Clark himself
appeared and Lane fastened forth to
meet him.
Saved by q mere squeak 30 far," was
the almost observation-disclosures as Clark
removed his hat and,wiped his clanmy
forehead. "But we know not what a
day may bring forth. It's mere res
pite."
"Can the syndicate carry any more
weight, think you, Prices jumped mp
two and three weeks ago. Now they only
climb hairs breadth at time. I hear
they are loaded down-that it must
break; but I'm no expert In these mat
tiers"
"r you were, you'd be wise to keep
out of it. Who can say whether they
will break or not2 It Is what everybody
confidently predicted when eighty-nins
was touched twelve days ago; and look
at it,"
do you go back to the Office from
here? Goodl I'll join you there in ten
minutes" said Lane, "for I shall not
come down town this afternoon, and
may not be able to in the morning"
And when Capt. Lane appeared at the
Office of Vincent, Clark & Co., he
brought with him stout little packet,
which, after the exchange of few words
and a scrap or two of paper, Mr.. Clark
carefully slowed in the innermost COM
partment of the big safe. Then he grasp
ed Lanes hand In both of his as the cap
tain said good-by.
That afternoon, quite late, the captain
rang at the Vincent's door, and it was al
most instantly opened by the smiling
Abigail, whom he SO longed to reward for
her evident sympathy the day before, yet
lacked the courage to proffer a green
back. Lane was indeed little Yersed in
the ways of the world, howsoever well
he might be informed In his profession.
r miss Vincent is in the library, sir, if
you will please to walk that way" was
her brief communication; and the cap
tain, trembling despite his best efforts to
control himself, stepped past her into the
broad hall, and there, hurrying down the
stairway, came Mrs. Vincent, evidently
to meet him. Silently she held forth her
hand and led him into the parlol', and
then he saw that her face WAS very sad
and pale and that hes eyes wera red with
weeping.
81 will only deUa1n you a moment,
captain" she murmured, "but felt that
must see you. Mr.. Vincent wrote to
me on the train as he left here, and he
tells me you how-the worst"
''Mr. Vincent has honored me with his
confidence, dear lady; and I-saw Mr..
Clark today"
She looked up eagerly: What news
had he from New York? Did he tell
you:-about Mr.. Rossiter, that is? /
knew perfectly well what Mr.. Vincent's
hopes and expectations were in going"
There was telegram. fear that
he was disappointed in Mr.. Rossiter; but
the money was not needed up to the
closing of the board at o'clock"
81 am not disappointed. thank God
that the Rossiters refused him money. It
will open his eyes to their real charac-
ters-father and son. would rather go
and live In hovel than be under obn-
cations to either Of them" And now the
tears were raining down her cheeks
do not grieve SO, Mrs. Vincent" said
Lane. IL cannot believe the danger is
so great. I have listened to the opinions
Of the strongest men on change this af-
ternoon. A break In this corner was
predicted in New York at II this morn
ing, and that is the universal opinion
among the best men now"
Eyes, but it may be days away yet,
and Mr.. Vincent has confessed to me
that his whole fortune hangs by single
hair-that this wretched speculation has
swallowed everything-that rise Of .
single penny means beggary to Us, for
he can no longer answer his brokers'
calls
THAT may have been so when he
wrote; but Mr.. Clark seems to have had
little better luck locally. infer from
what he told me that they were safe for
today and could meet the raise Of that
critical cent or two; 50 that, despite the
great loss they have sustained; there Is
not the certainty Of ruin that so over
whelmed Mr.. Vincent on Wednesday,"
"You give me hope and courage" cried
the poor, anxious hearted woman, as she
seized and pressed his hand. and
and you come to us In the midst Of our
troublesl Mr.. Vincent was so touched
by your writing first to him; 1t brought
back old days, old times, old fashions
that he loved TO recall-days when he,
too, was young and brave and full Of
hope and cheer"
And l have your good wishes, too,
Mrs. Vincent5-even though am only .
soldier and have so little to offer her be-