Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-03-26

field would be ruined Ruined? Was
there no way to save him, even now?
She must see Grierson!
And now she was waiting, oh, so anx-
iously. If there were any way to save
Delafield, she was determined that no
effort on her part should be spared, but
the utter hopelessness of inducing Grier-
son to see matters in any other light
maddened her. Why should he change
when now everything was going his
way? What #
Grierson came in.
"Ah, Miss Huntingdon, you are the
identical person I want to see. Been
waiting long? Carlotta is now at 80,
and you will have your wish fulfilled in
a very short time. Delafield is on the
ragged edge. His loans have been call
ed, and he has been given until o'clock
to meets the advances on his stock.
What little money he has outside of his
Carlotta shares is tied up, and even that
would not suffice him. We caught him
just at the right time. All the morning
have been forcing the stock down by
floating the shares in small lots at a
time. Just as quietly have been buy
ing them back. Delafeld can't help
himself, he can't get any money now,
and he will go down. By tomorrow
morning at II o'clock he will not have
enough money to buy half dozen
shares of Carlotta if he wanted them.
for Carlotta will be On its feet again,
and the work will be done.
And now, Miss Huntingdon, con-
tinued the man of stocks, lowering his
voice and speaking more slowly, Il
have something to say to you on very
important subject-to me. You will,
l am sure, pardon the time and place,
for what I am going to say must be said
now. In short, my dear Miss Hunting
don, wish to make you an offer of
marriage. l have long admired you,
and l feel confident that you would
make me a charming wife. We have
much the same tastes and have always
pulled together famously. Your atti-
tude toward me has been such as to
embolden me to ask you to become my
wife. 1 am practical man of business,
and may not propose in the conven-
tional lovers fashion, but [ am sincere.
offer you a handsome fortune, posi-
ton and an honest love-"
The banker stopped, and leaning for
ward looked eagerly down into the
young woman's face. What he saw
there did not please him, for her express
sion Of establishment was succeeded by
one of impotence.
Mr.. Grierson, l cannot" said she,
quickly rising and facing him.
why Eot!" he asked, for moment
disconnected, but thinking only that he
had been too abrupt, too confident.
For the simplest of all reasons, Mr..
Grierson, she returned petulantly, 81
do not love you. Really, am surprised
that you should take this time to speak
of such thing. 1 did not come down
here to listen to proposals of marriage.
came to-
go on" quietly urged Grierson, a
cunning light creeping to his beady
eyes.
"Iregret that you have preached this
subject, Mr.. Grierson. Miss Hunt
ingdon replaced her wrap about her
shoulders and began moving toward the
door. Grierson saw her bite her lip in
vexation and fancied he detected sus-
picious moisture in her eyes. 1T is of
no USE, " she was thinking; "he would
never forego the deal now
lone moment, Miss Huntingdon, -
said the banker, with what struck her
as tantalizing infection in his voice,
81 have word to add. 1 have been
thinking of the ruin you propose to
bring upon Mr.. Delaield. Mr.. Della
field has never injured me. -"
Miss Huntingdon started. A singular
light came into the eyes partly hidden
by the long lashes.
DO you mean to say that you de-
cline to carry out that part of the con-
tract?" she asked.
II fear l shall have to Decline
"You will save him.
Il think So"
How"
by furnishing him the means with
which to pull through"
1t was plain to Miss Huntingdon that
Mr.. Grierson' s act was one of petty
spite. He did not say to her in words,
You will not marry me, and will
not do your bidding" but the cause of
his refusal to carry out that part of
their agreement was as evident to her
as if he had spoken it in words. Con-
cealing her pleasure at the unexpected
turn of affairs, she cast glance at him
in which she concentrated all that would
still further irritate his wounded pride.
1T is no more than I might have OK
pected from such as you, she said,
''but you dare not do what you threat
en-"
You shall see." said the banker
quietly.
And you shall see," she replied de-
family. Turning upon him another con-
temptuous glance, she swept out of the
room.
III mr. muttered Mr.. Grierson. "A
clear case. She loves that man, and
doubtless he has Tilted her. Nothing
but his ruin will satisfy her. Ten to
one before this time tomorrow she will
have dropped the principal part of her
fortune -