Evening star., 1897-05-08

their old attitudes, looking from the fire.
light to the distant bulk of Black Spur
without a word. The occasional sound of
the voices OF prcmenaders on the veranda
shutting of heavy doors below. and Barker
rose.
You'll excuse me. boys. but must 60
and say Good night to little Sta and see
he's all right. l haven't seen him since
got back. But''-to Demorest-''you'n see
him tomorrow. when Kitty comes. 1t is
as much as my life Is worth to show him
before she certifies him as being present.
able" He paused. and then added: Don't
wait up. you fellows, for me; sometimes
the little chap won't let me go. It's as IL
ne thought. now Kitty's away. 1 was all
he had: But IN be up early in the morn
Ing and see you. dare say you and Stacy
have heap to say to each other on bust
ness and you won't miss me. So I'll say
good night. He laughed lightly pressed
the hands of his partners in his usual
hearty fashion, and went out of the room,
leaving the gloom a little deeper than be-
fore 1t was so unusual for Barker to be
the first to leave anybody or anything in
trouble that they both noticed it. But for
that, said Demorest, turning to Stacy as
the door closed. Il should say the dear
fellow was absolutely unchanged. But he
seemed a little anxious tonight"
Il shouldn't wonder. He's got two wo-
men on his mind, as If one was not
enough
II don't understand. You say his wife is
foolish, and this other"
Never mind that now" interrupted
Sins fet.ns ;a up and putting down his
other stun will keep
by all means.' said Demorest with
smile. settling down into his chair, a little
wearily, however. Il forgot business. And
I've heard all about you even in New York
You're the man. who. according to every
body. now holds the finances of the Pa
cifc slope in his hands. And" he added.
1aQn off fnro fol fnxr I'D hi oII
ner, Il don't know any one better equipped
in honesty, straightforwardness and cour-
age for such responsibility than you.
thoughtfully at Demorest. that 1 didn't
hold nearly million of your money in
cluded in the finances Of the Pacific slope"
Why, said the smiling Demorest, :'as
long as I am satisfied?'
Because 1 am not. II you are satisfied.
I'm wretched idiot and not fit for my
position. Now look here, Phil. When you
wrote me to sell out your shares in the
Wheat Trust L was a little staggered L
knew your gait, my boy, and l knew, too,
that while you didn't know enough to trust
your own opinions of feeling. you knew too
not first class. So 1 reckoned you had the
straight tip. but 1 didn't see it. Now. l
ought not to have been staggered if l was
fit for your confidence, or, If 1 was stag
gered, l ought to have had enough con-
fdence in myself not to mind. you See?"
Il admit your logic, old man., said DEM
crest, with an amused face, but l don't
see your premises. When did 1 tell you to
sell out?'
Two days ago. You wrote just after
you arrived"
Il have never written to you since 1 ar
rived. I only telegraphed to YOU to know
where we should meet. and received your
message to come here"
You never wrote me from San Francis
cor
Stacy looked concernedly at his friend
Was he in his right mind? He had heard
of cases where melancholy brooding on a
fixed idea had affected the memory. He
took from his pocket a letter case and Sc
lecting a letter, handed it to Demorest
without speaking.
He glanced at it, turned it over read its
contents. and in grave voice said: There
is something wrong here. 1t is like my
handwriting, but ] never wrote the letter,
nor has it been in my hand before
Stacy sprang to his side. Then it's
forgery
Wait a moment" Demorest. who. al
though very grave. was the most collected
of the two. went to the writing desk, select
ed sheet OF paper and took up a pen.
Now he said, dictate that letter to me-
Stacy began, Demorest's pen rapidly fol-
lowing him:
Dear Jim:
On receipt of this get rid of my Wheat
Trust shares at whatever figure you can
From the way things pointed in New
York
Stop" interrupted Demorest.
Nv clip said Stacy impatiently
Now, my dear Jim" said Demorest plain
lively, when did you ever know me to
write such a sentence as the way things
pointed?'
Let me finish reading" said Stacy. This
literary sensitiveness at such moment
seemed little short of puerility 10 the man
of business
From the way things pointed in New
York, continued Stacy, and from private
advices received this seems to be the ONLY
prudent course before the feathers begin to
hy. Longing to see you again and the dear
old stamping ground at Heavy Tree Love
barker. Has the dear old boy been at any
fresh crank lately? Yours,
PHIL DEMOREST'
(To be continued)