The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-11-14
cts bad p she demanded.

father says that if were partner in the
Company it would be all right
"Very well, y she cried joyfully.
"What do you mean?'
"Why," she continued delightedly,
"be partner, and that is all there is to it. y
Winship frowned as he looked at her
dolefully
"But you don't know how difficult
how impossible this is
''Oh," she cried confidently, as she
drew closer to him, ''you can do anything
you want And surely you'll do it for
me-
And thereupon he said that he would
promised that he would--swore that he
would. With the strength of her conf
dence and the increase of his own natural
courage it seemed for the moment again
almost as if it could be DONE With her
hand in his-with her soft hair brushing
against his cheek-there was no diffiulty
that could not be overcome. Even the
ogre of the Atlas Company might be over
thrown and led in obedient slavery.
The chill of depression fell upon him
only when he found himself alone on the
hard, dusty, dark road on his way back to
the club.
CHAPTER III.
How to do it? That was the question
that beset Winship as he journeyed back
to make his report to the Company. That
was the question that came between his
eyes and the printed words Of the news
paper. That was the question which dis
turbed the calm influence of his cigar.
That was the question the wheels Of the
train seemed to take up and ask him with
steady rhythmic persistence that was mad
dening. Certainly the position was per-
picking enough. That he, with no capt.
tai, no claim on the position except re-
cord of capable usefulness, should expect
to be made partner in the largest Com
pany in the State having national repu
tation, and known, indeed, all over the
world, was proposition that staggered
even his hearty optimism. He did not
even know how to advance the proposal
without appearing to have taken leave of
his senses.
The matter was no more settled in his
mind when, on the following morning, he
stood prepared to appear before the active
members Of the Atlas Company to give an
account of his mission He knew very
well before he entered the private office
what he should see, what he should find:
Pierson sitting in the preternatural silence
which had won for him in past years a re-
putation for preternatural wisdom; Trip
lev, voluble and animated, who served as
a means of communication with the outer
world, very much as speaking tube might
be used through which the purposes Of the
Company were blown shrilly.
As Winship advanced, Pierson waved
suavely toward a chair while Tripley seized
him by the hand.
ave must congratulate you, said the
latter as he hustled back to his seat.
|
bly, managed. "
Tripley having bestowed praise in an
unstinted manner, Pierson proceeded to
establish more moderate average by the
just introduction of a little disparagement.
"Of course" he observed, ''in several
minor particulars you might, | think, have
brought them little more sharply to
book
The pendulum having swung forward
and backward, both members of the Com
pany felt that affairs had been established
upon satisfactory basis.
"We might now 60 into the business
more in detail, - suggested Tripley.
"Certainly,'' Winship assented. "But
first, there is something | should like to
say
YES" said Pierson doubtfully.
eyes" responded Tripley cordially.
"You are satisfied with what I have
done p Winship asked.
"Measurably," granted Pierson slowly.
'Eminently,' assented Tripley swiftly.
''You think that [ have-ability for the
business p
"Presumably," murmured Pierson.
"Unquestionably," attested Tripley.
'Then," said Winship with headlong
rush. II should like to ask to be taken
into the Company-to be made partner. -
As the momentous words passed his lips
Winship felt that something must happen.
He almost expected to see the heavy Office
desk shaken to its foundations, the legs of
the office chairs totter before his eyes. He
braced himself and waited. Instead of
the shock that he had half anticipated,
deep silence, hardly less appalling, fell up
on the room.
"Really-'' began Tripley, recover
ing the first.
As if reassured by the sound of his
voice, his partner ventured forth with
something of the manner of one looking
out to see whether a storm has passed.
"Mr. Winship-'' began Pierson.
~ know that it S saying a good deal, y
Winship continued more readily, now that
he had taken the plunge and risen to the