The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-04-14
He was walking up and down the

Seven o'clockI' he said, glancing at
the time. The office is closed long
ago. In another hour Brisket will sign
over those bonds, and then-hello" as
the shrill alarm of the telephone sum-
moned him across the room. There
is no one at the Office" he thought,
taking up the receiver. Il wonder
what's pnow? Hello! Who are you?"
Helen Archer, Mr.. Wayne" said q
voice he knew well.
"Why, what are you doing at the
Office this time Of night p he asked, in
voluntarily.
81 am not at the office-tbat is. not
at your office. 1 am at the Central
Station. Can you hear me p
"Yes."
81 have something important to tell
you. Our wire got crossed with Mr..
Brisket's to-day, and could hear every
word said over it, l could not under.
stand what they were talking about
only Mr.. Brisket was talking to q man
named Danbury."
"Danbury p exclaimed Wayne, in
great excitement
"They were talking about bonds,
and said lot of things I couldn't com.
prehend, but at last your named was
mentioned.
"'This will put Wayne in a hole
MIR. Brisket said.
"'Yes said Mr.. Danbury it'll bury
him alive. It's O good thing he's
shelved tonight. There is no danger.
l suppose, Of his getting wind of this
before CLOCK
"'No danger at ALL said Mr.. Bris.
ket ii you don't go back on me. There
will be new deal around and we'll
boost the market over Wayne's head
"Do you hear distinctly what say?"
she inquired. H.
"Yes. yes!' Wayne said. ezcitedly.
"What else 2"
Nothing moro that I could under
stand. except that they were to meet
at the Continental Hotel tonight. 1
came hers because was afraid 70 talk
from the office. I thought some one
might get on our wire. and I have you
here direct. That's all. Good.by."
For Roland Wayne 10 dress and leave
the house was the matter of o very
short while after lie had received this
message from Helen Archer His illness
and tho danger of exposure were quite
forgotten.
He was present, very unexpectedly to
MIR. Brlsket and MIR. Danbury, at the
evening conference at the hotel.
1t was a stormy scene that ensued be-
tween Royland Wayne and these two
men who had combined against him--a
scene from which the young broker is
sued pale with exhaustion, but still
triumphant.
What had passed no one knew, but
the next day the street was fairly elec.
tritied by the news that Wayne was
closing up his affairs to go abroad.
THAT will throw us all out" said
Burns, gloomily.
Helen Archer heard the news with a
sinking heart. She was late that night |
IN gong home, having some small er-
rands to attend to on her way, and,
moreover, her steps Jagged with the !
consciousness that she had bad news to
carry to her ailing mother.
You are late, Nelly" Mrs. Archer
said, as she came in. This gentleman
has been waiting to see you for some
time"
1t was Ronald Wayne who rose and |
held out his hand warmly.
Miss Archer" he said, II have come |
to thank you for the service YOU did
me last night. Thanks to you, L have
saved my fortune from absolute ruin.
Ii it had not been for your prompt ac-
ton | should have been beggar to-
day"
Il had no idea it was so serious
as that" Helen said hastily. Il am very
glad l could do you such a service"
Il shall never forget it, Roland said,
with steadfsst look into her soft, gray
eyes, land have learned wholesome
lesson. When went into the broker.
age business did not dream that so
much OF my intercourse would be with
men wholly devoid OF conscience or
principle. i am sick and disgusted.
Last night I had expected to make
100000 by one transaction. To-day
find myself thanking heaven-and
you-that 1 got out without losing any.
thing. ] am tired Of such chances. I
do not feel that can enter into con.
tract with men like Brisket and Dan
bury without compromising myself,
and 80 have decided to get out alto
gether."
~ understand that you are going out
OF business, i" said Helen, quietly.
eyes, l am. I shall close up the
Office as soon as possible"
II expected that, and-and I don't |
wish to trouble you, Mr.. Wayne, but if
you see an opening for me anywhere,
would you be SO kiad as to remember
me?"
81 have just been talking to your
mother" said Roland, bowing to Mrs.
Archer. II am going abroad. NY
health requires it. but do not like the
idea of going alone. want you ana
your mother to accompany me. 1t will
do you both good-indeed. Won need IL