The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1901-05-09
CHAPTER NII.-CoNr1NUEp.
BY Will NJ HagbeD.

When she had left the room, a
strange, glorious light in her young
face, he began again to walk the floor.
He was tingling in every vein. His
heart had begun to beat excitedly. He
tried to think of Jeanne, the awful
disease which was eating Blanche's
life away, but he could only feel the
pressure of his wards hands, the
warmth of her breath on his face, the
depth of her great, trustful eyes.
''Great God! what can this mean?"
he exclaimed.
He continued to walk back and forth
across the room for half an hour, then
he stopped suddenly and rang.
James obeyed the summons.
"Where is Mr.. Talley?" he asked.
"In the study, at work, SIR" James
saluted in military fashion.
THAT is all" The major went to
the study, where he found his private
secretary at work at a typewriter.
"Talley," he began, "you wanted to
see me yesterday, I believer"
81 did, major. I believe the amount
you were keeping for me is exactly
$5,OOO?"
"You are right, Talley; that is the
amount, and, as I told you, you can
get it at any time you wish. All you
have to do is to draw the check. I
will sign it."
81 have it ready now" said the young
man, handing Goddard a slip of pa
per.
II hope you are not thinking of leav-
ing me?" said the major, as he signed
the check.
"Not that, but I am fatty disobeying
your injunctions, major. You have
tried to keep me out of speculation,
but the temptation is too strong to re-
sist. This check covers all my savings.
and yet I am going to put every cent of
it into G. N. G. W. railway stock"
ooh, you can't be so foolhardy, Tai
ley!"
II am fortunately on the inside as
to the future outcome of the Stock"
declared the young man. 81 have a
young friend, Hubert johnson, the son
of the Wall street Johnson. You know
him by reputation. Well, this friend
of mine happened to overhear a con-
versation in his fathers office which
let him on to an important secret. His
father and other big SPECTATORS have
formed a syndicate to depress this
stock. 1t has been going down like
lightning for the last two months.
It has reached it's lowest notch. They
are certainly buying all they can lay
their hands N. l know I cannot be
running any risk. I am in a sure deal.
I tell you this because I hope that you
will take a hand. I had rather see you
make money than anyone, major, for
you have been the best friend I have
I ever had"
'I shall not invest" answered God
dard; .'but I wish you luck, Talley. I
hope it will make you rich"
"Thank you major" The secretary
put the check into his pocket.
ST have an important commission
for you, Talley." The major cleared
his throat, sat down at his desk,
turned in his revolving chair and
crossed his legs. A slight color had
risen in his face. Talley1 had never
seen him look so handsome.
II am at your service, major"
"What if I were to tell you I am
going to get married, Talley?"
The secretary stared. The carriage
of his typewriting machine, with
which he was toying, fell with a sharp
click.
"Are. you in earnest, Maj. Goddard?"
"Quite in earnest, Talley. I have
decided to marry my ward"
Miss Briscoe?" exclaimed Talley,
his face suddenly falling.
"Yes, Miss Briscoe. And we have de-
cided, under existing circumstances,
that we will have the affair take place
in as quiet a name as possible. I
want you to drive over to Rev. Mr..
Strothers at once and see if we may
come to his house tomorrow morn
ing. If he consents, then I want you
to attend to any other arrangements
without delay"
The private secretary had turned
quite pale. His eyes were expanded