Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-12-27

louS Ol IluSSlan petroleum IN all, at I4
per ton-equals 100000. We buy
at an average of 64s. per ton, or $780,
600, leaving profit of ESQ, 900, very
nice little deal. L think, Crawford,
that when have seen this through
shall sell the business and retire
Indeed, sir!"
eyes, am about tired of CONNER
cial life; these transactions will be
thr ough in three months, and then 1
am go ing to be married."
"You surprise me, sir
"Aye, life is full of surprises. You
know Miss Merrion, L Think"
Miss MerrionW
eyes, Miss Merton; but why in
that tone of voice? Don't you approve
of the lady?"
This is no subject for jest, sir; you
know as well as I do that Miss Mer-
rion is my promised wife,
Indeed! 1t is my turn to be sur
prised. 1 certainly knew that you ad-
mied the lady, and | have no doubt
that you fostered hopes in that direc-
ton; but when you have the cool
effrontery to inform me that you are
engaged to marry her l can only mar
vel at your audacity."
'With all respect due to you, sir, as
my uncle and my employer, l must
say that the statement you have Just
made Is not only untrue, but you know
it to be untrue, L was engaged to
marry Miss Merrion long before she
was an heiress, and we were merely
waiting until my position improved )"
"And do you think you are likely to
improve your position by calling your
master liar? After this conduct you
cannot remain in my employ. [ will
dispense with the three months no.
tice, and draw you check in lieu of
it. Be prepared to leave in five min
utes. Co."
A few minutes later the bell rang
again, and Crawford, hat in hand and
coat thrown over his arm, entered the
sanctum.
81 am sorry to have to part with
you like this, Crawford, but there is
no other course opon to me. L have
just left Miss Merrion, and she has
complained to me of your fortune
hunting propensities, and asked me to
use my influence to put an end to your
persecution of her. Here is a check
for 9200, and 1 sincerely hope that
you will endeavor to cultivate more
gentlemanly manners in your future
| career.
Quietly closing the door after him,
John Markam's nephew left the
Office.
The fickleness of fortune as demon
strated by the events of the last fif-
ten minutes caused an indescribable
feeling of dismay in the young mans
mind.
Charles Crawford as chief clerk to
John Markham & Co., with prospects
of q partnership, was now Charles
Crawford, with 92O0 in his pocket
and few more hundreds in the bank,
and prospects nil.
His first thought upon leaving the
Office was of Norah. Could it be as
his uncle had declared, that she
looked upon him merely as a fortune
hunter? No, he would not believe it,
and full of determination to ascertain
the truth from Norah herself, he made
his way to her home.
The cry of JOY that fell from her
lips when he presented himself before
her soon banished all thoughts of her
Inconsistency from his mind.
In few moments she had told him
| all; the discriminating document,
signed by her brother Wilfred, the per-
secutions of John Markham, and the
extraordinary sacrifice demanded from
her in order to save Wilfred from
| ruin.
''What can we do, Charlie? Poor
Wilfred is SO happy with his wife and
child is an error of the past to rise
up and ruin his life? 1 would give
my whole fortune to find way out of
this trouble. | cannot give you up,
Charlie, and yet if we do not hit upon
some plan"
You will marry John Markam?'
'No, no, do not say that, Charlie,
but | must save Wilfred."
1t was striking 10 o'clock that night
when Crawford left Nora Merrion. As
he walked along plunged in thought
the rattle of a fire engine dashing
past reused him from his reverie, and
a lurid glare in the sky told him that
vast confagration was in progress.
Upon fastening to the spot he found
that the premises and store yards of
large firm of coopers were on fire. A
huge stack of many thousands of newly
made barrels was well alight, and from
the inhammable nature of the mater
ials it was soon evident that all efforts
to hold the fire in check wore hope
less. In few hours the whole of the
premises would be gutted.
As Crawford gazed upon the burn
ing pile, a sudden thought surged
through his brain. After considering
a few moments he hastily retraced his
steps, and late as he was, sought an
other interview with Nora.
They talked far into the night. and