The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-09

been Immediately reinvested in the
business. Thorpe intended to establish
in few years more a big plant which
would be returning benefices in pro-
portion not only TO the capital origt-
nally invested, but also in ratio TO the
energy, time. and genius he had him
self expended.
Every autumn the company found it.
self suddenly in easy circumstances. At
any moment that Thorpe had chosen
10 be content with the progress made
he could have, so = speak. declared
dividends with his partner Instead of
undertaking more improvements. for
part of which he borrowed some mon
ey, he could have divided the profits of
the seasons cut. But this he was not
yet ready to do.
lie had osta bIished five more camps,
he had acquired over a hundred and
fifty million more of timber lying con-
tiguous to his own. he had built and
equipped a modern high-e efficiency mill,
he had constructed a harbor break-wa-
ter and the necessary booms. he had
bought a tug, built a boarding house.
All this costs money. He wished now
to construct a logging railroad. Then
ne promised himself and Wallace that
they would be ready to commence pay
estimates, and even the preliminary
survey. He was therefore the more
grievously disappointed, when Wallace
Carpenter made it impossible for him
to do SO.
It was about the middle of July He
was sitting back idly in the clean
painted mill office with the big square
desk and the three chairs. Through the
door he could see Collins. perched on a
hiob before Ghn1F-Iflra
From the open window came the clear.
musical note of the circular saw. the
fresh aromatic smell of new lumber,
the bracing air from Superior spark
ling in the offing. He felt tired. In
rare moments such as these, when the
muscles OF his striving relaxed. his
mind turned to the past. Old sorrows
rose before him and looked at him
with their sad eyes. He wondered
years old now. A tenderness, haunting.
fearful, invaded his heart. At such mo-
ments the hard shell of his rough wood
life seemed to rend apart. He longed
with great longing for sympathy, for
love.
The outerdoor. beyond the cage be-
hind which Collins and his shelf desk
were placed, flew open. Thorpe heard
a brief greeting. and Wallace Carpenter
stood before him.
why Wallace, I didn't know you
were coming!" began Thorpe, and
stopped. The boy, usually so fresh and
happily buoyant looked 10 years older.
Wrinkles had gathered between his
eyes. why, what's the matter?" cried
Thorpe.
He rose and swiftly shut the door
into the outer office. Wallace seated
himself mechanically.
atE,VarVthinert aUarutnirer ba coi1 ~
despair. 'Tve been fool! I've been
blind"
So bitter was his tone that Thorpe
was startled The lumberman sat down
on the other side of the desk.
'"That'll do, Wallace" he said, sharp
ly. Tell me briefly what is the mat
ter"
i've been speculating!" burst out
the boy.
"Ah!" said his partner.
Il bought on a margin. There came
slump. l met the margins because l
am sure there will be a rally, but now
akp my fortune is in the thing. I'm GO
ing to be penniless. I'll lose Mt an
"Ahi" said Thorpe.
And the name of Carpenter is so
old-established, so honorablel" cried
the unhappy boy. land my sister,"
Easy" warned Thorpe. Being pen
niless isn't the worst thing that can
happen to a man."
mo; but / am in debt" went on the
boy more calmly. 81 have given notes,
When they come due, I'm a goner.'
How much?" asked Thorpe lacon-
ically.
Thirty thousand dollars"
well, you have that amount in this
firm"
What do you mean?"
If you want 1t, you can have it."
Wallace considered a moment.
THAT would leave me without a
cent" he replied.
But 1t would save your commercial
honor"
Harry" cried Wallace suddenly.
couldn't this firm go on my note for
thirty thousand more? Its credit is
good, and that amount would have my
margins"
You are partner" replied Thorpe:
your signature is as good as mine in
this firm"
but you know I wouldn't do it with
out your consent" replied Wallace re-
proachfully. "Oh, Harry!" cried the
boy, when you needed the amount, l
let you have it,"
Thorpe smiled.
"You know you can have it, if it's to
be had, Wallace. l wasn't hesitating
on that account. 1 was merely trying
" bSulC OuL w AtGlG we CdIl raise Sucn
a sum as 100000. We haven't got it,"
But you'll never have to pay it,"
assured Wallace eagerly. IF / can
save my margins, I'll be all right
"A man has to figure on paying
whatever he puts his signature to-"
asserted Thorpe. 81 can give you our
note payable at the end of a year.
Then I'll hustle in enough timber to
make up the amount 1t means we
don't get our railroad that's ALL"
II knew you'd help me out Now it's
all right" said Wallace, with a reliev-
ed air.
Thorpe shook his head. He was al
ready trying to figure how to increase
his cut to $4,000, 900 feet
I'm do IT." he muttered to himself,
after Wallace had gone out to visit
the mill I've been demanding sue
cess of others for good many years;
| now I'll demand it of myself"
CHAPTER XXI.
The moment had struck for the wo-
man. Thorpe did not know it, but
it was true. A solitary, brooding life
in the midst of grand surroundings, en-
active, strenuous life among great re-