The Opelousas courier., 1898-01-15
the payment Of nearly 600, 900 barrels
at prices ranging from 3s. to As. each'

at prices ranging 1fou os. w 10 o"oA'
John Markham was we'll satisfied WITH
himself-matters were flowing very
smoothly with him, his business en-:
eaeements he calculated would BRING
him in a comfortable fortune, and SO
far as he could see no cloud appeared
upon the horizon Of his prosperity.
In his hours of leisure the thought
of Norah Merton and her fortune
brought a smile of triumph to his lace:
Once welded to her and the turmoil OF
business would involve him no more,
and if q doubt of the success OF ms
matrimonial schemes crossed his mlnd
Abe perusal of Wilfred Merrion's con
fession instantly banished it.
"She will wed me to save hel
brother. Crawford is out OF my path,
so [ have nothing to fear.'
But the plans of the ~cleverest men
sometimes go astray, and when John
Markham attempted to negotiate fo'
barrels in which to store his oil, he
suddenly awoke to the fact that some
smart firm had cornered the market.
His contracts had to befulflled dur
ing the next thre months. Unless he
had barrels tokend his oil away IN,
Me contracts would fall through Il
hS~sbuld be ruined.
But when he discovered the name O.:
the firm, his rage knew no bounds,
The delay of a few hours had placed
him at the mercy of Norah Merrlor
and Charles Crawford.
Toward the end of the month, wher
the first contract became due, he poe
keted his pride and wrote to Merr1on,
| Crawford & Co., asking for a quotatlo1
of 100, 900 barrels, and when the an
swer came back, "1Os. per BARREL" ht
felt that he was really in the hands O
the enemy, and utter despair took pos
session of him.
The next day he received a rot'
from Crawford: eff John Markan
will come to Benger's Court, at l:
o'clock, matters might be arranged te
suit both parties" E,
When at - o'clock he was usheret
into the private Office at Bengerl
Court he fonud himself in the pres
ence of Norah Merton.
As he came forward to take he?
hand. she rose and motioned him to
seat.
For a moment there was silence.
eve meet under somewhat different
--,. Nv Markham - Hl
bowed in assent.
"It is not my wish," she continued
"to indulge any idea of revenge which
would probably recommend itself tt
any other person in my position.
understand from Mr.. Crawford that
it depends upon this firm whether yor
become a rich man OF a bankrupt"
"That is So"
"I have certain terms to offer which,
if you accept, we'll and good-ifnot-'
"Name them!"
SIN the first place you must hand
me the confession written by my
brother, and sign a document promis'
ing not to modest him in any way"
"And then?"
SIN the second place, this firm has
contracts on which will bring in a con
siderable sum; you have engagements
which I understand will make you
practically independent. Agree to my
first proposition and take Mr.. Craw'
ford into partnership; that is to say,
combine the two firms, work off all
the contracts, and then dissolve
each to have half the profits. Do you
agree?"
"You are too generous, but what
does my nephew say?"
"Here is Charles to answer for him.
SELF"
81 say let us bury the whole of this
miserable business and ring a peal Of
bells over its grave. Norah and I are
to be married next week, uncle; will
you come and dance at our wedding?'
II will, my boy, and I ask pardon
from both Of you for the unhappiness
I have caused you. It has been a case
Of diamond cut diamond. I envy you
your happiness, and [ shall never
forget that it vas your generosity thai
brought to a triumphant issue my
deal in petroleum '"-London Tit
Bits.