Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-10-10

Slowly resumed his seat at his desk
and pulled the directory to him. In
moment he had found this name:
Vincent, Abnef; promoter. Res. 212o
hillside avenue
Then he carefully copied the address
on 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
We're deepening beneath the vines and
the naples.
Il can't understand it bit" Abner
was saying in his fussy little voice.
Here's young Tennis been coming
round more'n n month every night or
two and pumping me all about that
new aerostatic company until l 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 1
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?"
asked Mary with sarcastic intonation
she couldn't suppress.
Mary" said her mother in n sooth-
ing voice.
"Victim" repeated her father queru-
lously, Henry Tennis a victim.
guess not. Why, there isn't shrewd-
er or more successful invester on the
street. If Henry Tennis goes into n
thing, there's money in it. And from
the very start, from the very moment
lie 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 n reckless prodi-
gal?"
Did 1 say thaty' queried the old
man.
You did" replied Mary. ring of in
dignation in her voice; you said he
was easy picking"
We'll, that" shufHed Abner, was
just figure of speech. 1 must have
said it before 1 really knew him. But
hush, 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 '4Ah, Mr.
Vincent" he added, "if the ladies' will
excuse us, want just word or two
on business with you"
bustling up. "This way. Mr.. Vincent"
and he led the caller into lighted
apartment.
1t wasn't long interview. When the
men came back to the porch, Tennis did
not take the chair that was offered
him
Perhaps Miss Mary would enjoy a
little STROLL" he said. looking toward
the dark corner of the porch where
the girls white dress family glimmer-
ed.
''I guess she would" said the father,
and there was n nervous energy in his
tone that seemed quite unusual.
The girl hesitated. Then he arose
and fetched her hat. and the two went
down the street together.
Miss Mary" said Tennis presently,
II want to confess to you that am
an arrant fraud have been coming
to your home on the pretense of busi-
ness with your father-for it was n
pretense. Can you guess what really
brought me? Mary, when you went
out of my office that eventful morning
made up my mind that you shouldn't
go out of my life. VIII you be my
wife,"
The girl was silent
Put your hand in mine, dear, If It
means yes"
And now" said Henry a moment
later with an ecstatic sigh of satisfac-
tion, "and now for another confess
sion. DO you know that up to the day
you came to see me l had never even
heard of your fatherT"
'Henry|' cried the startled girl.
WAS it all fathers romancingY"
Il guess it was. But when his ro-
mancing ended mine began"
How undutiful you must have
thought me. how forward. But father
had angered me so. And-and my
warming was all thrown away?7
Thrown awayw cried Tennis. Not
a bit of it. 1t warned me of the utter
emptiness of a bachelors selfish life.
Why. my dear girl, there's nobody
lookingl"