The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-14
SHARPLY.

WHATS THE MATTER?" DEMANDED,
SHARPLY.
my uncle to do this thing when Nor
man, as the principal stockholder IN the
Twenty-seventh street company, was
sure to be terribly involved. Of one
thing I am certain: Norman had no
suspicion of the way things stood, as
between the two companies. He re-
lied entirely upon his relations with
my uncle's family to save him."
"Miss Davis fortune will be ample
to requite him for any loss he may suf-
fer" said Stalbridge. Her 1ather
will, of course, deal literally with her
when she marries. And besides, as
have already said, think 1t is his i'm
tention to fix Norman all right when
the consolidated stock is issued. re-
peat that expect to see him president
of the Union"
"That is an absurd falsehood." re-
torted. "You are trying to drive him
10 desperation that you may break off
the match. If it were conceivable that
che would accept you, should believe
that you had designs upon my cousins
hand"
'She is charming woman" said
Stalbridge, calmly.
was anxious to break of the con-
.versation. My object In talking with
Stalbridge had already been attained,
] had wished TO learn what was going
to happen to Norman in this bad busi-
ness of the absorption of his enterprise
by that which my uncle nominally.
but Stalbridge actually, guided.
knew Stalbridge's methods so well that
i was able to judge of the truth or
falsity of what he had said about my
uncles intentions toward Norman. [
perceived that he had come as near the
truth as he ever did; that my uncle was
going to make reparation to Norman
unless Stalbridge succeeded in pre-
venting him from doing SO. That the
rascal for once distrusted his power
over my uncle and feared that Norman's
interests would be guarded, l could
read in his eyes. II was. then. timo
for me TO go upon the mission that had
int NiaClA fNec w
see my uncle and plead Norman's cause.
AS a matter of fact, knew that that
cause needed all my effort. My uncle's
consent to the marriage was thing not
TO be depended upon. had been sur
prised when IL had been dragged out Of
bin; and / had looked for him to change
his mind at any moment.
/ turned about abruptly, and began
TO walk back toward the Ann Street bank
Stalbridge kept by my side.
/ could not shake him off. We entered
the building together, by the side door.
which is very little used, as there is
DO elevator in chat hail.
Ny uncles room was on the third
floor at the rear. The Union lines had
offices at the front; my uncle's
room was hidden away. There was no
name on the door. Nobody else but
Stalbridge had desk there, even the
harmless, necessary typewriter being
banished.
Stalbridge knocked. That was his
bad impression of the room, as place
where secret meetings were held-meet-
ings OF two where neither dared permit
a witness to be present.
There was no answer TO StalbTidge's
knock.
cdr. Davis must have gone out" he
saiG. "Will you whit for him?" p
lie drew ont his key and tried TO put |
IL into the lock-, but il met an Oh
There's key on the inside" ho
whispered. Gle must be there. after
oil"
AT that moment | heard something
fall with faint ring on the carpet |
within, and following that sound there
came a low, sobbing cry. and then "a
crash.
Stalbridge, who. becatrc of his
strange stature, was bending over tho |
lock. suddenly stusightencd mp. and |
turned almost around. He leaned |
against the door. had never seen "a
live mans face look "a his looked then. !
The hound was thoroughly frightened.
seized the key out OF his hand; un-
locked the door, and flung IL open. "A
did so. door hpoa the other side of |
the room closed with snap. This I |
perceived mechanically. for my gaze
was riveted upon my uncle.
He was on his knees beside his desk. |
his face turned toward me. One hand |
ciutched the desk for support; the other
ma dressed uncn his breasA