The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-11-24

moment he had found this name:
"Vincent, Abner; promoter. Res. 2120
hillside avenue"
Then he carefully copied the address
on a card.
Six weeks later Abner Vincent and
his wife and Mary We're sitting on the
porch of their modest little cottage. 1t
was early twilight, and the shadows
were deepening beneath the vines and
the naples.
Il can't understand it bit,'' Abner
was saying in his fussy little vone.
Here's young Tennis been COL g
round mOre'n month every night or
two and pumping me all about that
new aeroStatic company until | guess
there isn't fresh question left for
him to ask me. Seems perfectly salts
| fed, too, but somehow he fails to put
up the $4,000. By George, if he doesn't
come to time pretty soon I'll give some
| other fellow the chance, or I'll bring
out one of my other schemes. But
| want Henry Tennis. 1t isn't his money
| alone-I want his name"
"Are you always so particular about
the names of your-your victims p
| asked Mary with sarcastic intonation
she couldn't suppress.
"Mary," said her mother in a sooth-
| ing voice.
"Victimv' repeated her father queru-
lously. "Henry Tennis a victim.
guess not. Why, there isn't a shrewd.
| er or more successful invester on the
street. If Henry Tennis goes into 4
| thing, there's money in it. And from
the very start, from the very moment
| he sent for me to come to his office
he's seemed all wrapped up in my
latest idea. But he doesn't put up the
money"
Father" said Mary, trying hard to
control her voice, what did you mean
by saying that Mr.. Tennis was young
and inexperienced and reckless prodi.
galY'
did say thatY' queried the old
man.
"You did," replied Mary, a ring of in.
dignation in her voice; you said he
was easy picking"
1
just a figure of speech. l must have
said it before l really knew him. But
hush, l think he is coming up the
| street."
Henry Tennis stepped lightly
through the gateway, hat in hand.
Good evening, ALL" he cried with
the easy air of an old friend. "Ah, Mr.
Vincent" he added, "if the ladies will
excuse us, l want just word or two
on business with YOU"
Certainly" cried the little man
bustling up. This way, Mr.. Vincent,
and he led the caller into a lighted
apartment.
1t wasn't long interview. When thu
men came back to the porch, Tennis die
not take the chair that was Offered
him.
perhaps Miss Mary would enjoy {
little STROLL" he said, looking TOWARD
the dark corner of the porch where
the girls white dress family glimmer
ed.
81 guess she would" said the father
and there was nervous energy in hi
tone that seemed quite unusual.
The girl hesitated. Then he aros
and fetched her hat, and the two wen
down the street together.
"Miss Mary" said Tennis presently
81 want to confess to you that l an
an arrant fraud. l have been coming
to your home on the pretense of busi
ness with your father-for it was
pretense. Can you guess what reall.
brought me? Mary, when you wen
out Of my office that eventful morning
I made up my mind that you shouldn'
go out Of my life. Will you be m,
wife?"
The girl was silent.
"Put your hand in mine, dear, If !
means yes"
"And now," said Henry a momen
later with an ecstatic sigh of satisfac
ton, "and now for another confes
sion. Do you know that up to the da.
you came to see me | had never evel
heard of your father"
Henry cried the startled girl
"Was it all fathers romancing?'
Il guess it was. But when his re
mancing ended mine began"
''How undutiful you m st hav,
thought me, how forward! But fathe
had angered me so. And-and m,
warning was all thrown away?"
'Thrown awayw cried Tennis. "No
a bit of it. 1t warned me of the ute
emptiness of bachelors selfish life
Why, my dear girl, there's nobod.
looking"
And on the porch Abner' Vincent wa
saying in his querulous voice:
81 never was so disappointed. Whel
he told me that it was Mary and no
the company, you could have knocked
me down with a feather"
'She loves him." said the mothe
softly.
"She'd betterv' cried Abner. "She'l
never get another such chance. And tn,
$4,000" He paused and sighed. "Dit
l tell you how he intends to invest tn,
$4,000"
NO" said the mother.
"He's going to settle it all on Mary.
-Cleyeland Plain Dealer,