The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

of the publicly known. plans of the
Iron Crowd, as she called the pro-
moters of the combine, she regarded him
with distinct loss Of favor. Here is
George, whose father is the chief attor-
ney for the Worthington interest, and
George knows no more about the iron
deal-though every one knows that the
Worthington interest is heavily engaged
than If his father was a candlestick
maker Though. as far as that goes, his
father. Caleb Bann-s ster, is a hard hearted,
soulless-"
"Motherw cried Mrs. Carr, but Mrs.
Marble quite undisturbed. said, "If you
know Mr.. Caleb Bannister better than
do. Gertrude, perhaps you will tell Mr..
Paxton what he is''
He is Georges father" Gertrude said
reproachfully.
'Pish!" Mrs. Marble exclaimed, and
then to Howard: There will be some
money on the first Of July that must be
reinvested. If your Bunton stands like
a dog in a manger, holding up this plan,
the stock will not be ready to be issued
by that time, and I want some at that
time"
"Madam" suddenly exclaimed Bannis-
ter. my father shall acknowledge that
he was wrong. He shall call upon you.
1 swear itl'
well. you know what will never hap
grimly. To Howard's surprise and dis
tress Gertrude burst into tears and Ban
mister into a passion OF protests that he
was the most miserable. the most help
less of mortals. IT am a futile dupe!"
he cried in a frenzy. MY father sees me
with heaven almost within my grasp, and
mercilessly stays my eager hands,
IF you g-g-gave up your wr-wr-writing,
and went into h-h-his law Office" sobbed
Gertrude. ''he would be more d-d-disposed
toto
Bannister interrupted her by jumping
to his feet and kissing. "You hate mel?
"Georgel George, dear" she cried.
you taunt me with not doing all in my
power to end this wicked strife that Is
keeping US apart! Very we'll! let the river
close coldly over this undeserving, but
loving heart"
Thereupon he rushed from the room,
and Gertrude rushed after him sobbing,
and calling to him not to destroy himself.
Howard was seriously concerned for his
friend. and would have followed to lend
a mans strong arm to Gertrude in her
struggle to keep the unhappy lover from
doing himself harm But Mrs. Marble s
action held him from his purpose. That
lady called a servant and said. I'VE will
not have dessert served until Mrs. Carr
and Mr.. Bannister return"
The absent ones voices could be heard
from the next room, gradually subsiding
from their stormy pitch, and thus reas-
sured. though much bewildered, Howard
was; was glad t have Mrs. Marble explain a
This has been going on with but one
brief interval since Gertrude was six and
George nine years old. They were en-
gagged when they were yet mere chill
dren-seventeen and twenty, or some
such ages-but the Bannisters and quar-
relied; the children had more than US
ually violent quarrel also. George went
to Paris where the reports OF him were
well he did not seem to be improving his
morals there-and Gertrude married.
admit that I approved the marriage
Caleb Bannister can console himself
with that, II II will do him any good
and Gertrude would have died within q
year, I now admit that; but heaven was
Just and merciful. Mr.. Carr was called
hence six months after the marriage. His
investments had been we'll made. and he
had been unable to waste moro than the
income. There were mono encum-
brances. 1t was a nightmare, but It is
all over"
The lovers returned, as calmly smiling
as II no more than a caressing June-day
zephyr had ever rippled the placid cur
rent of their true love. Gertrude was
hungry for dessert, and ate IT with a
sturdy appetite that much comforted
Howard 20 observe; so eloquent Of a rest
full heart II was to see her consume a
plateful OF bonbons, and then put as much
sugar IN her black coffee as 1t would dis
solve.
After dinner. while the lovers loved and
Quarreled. and loved again. somewhat
apart. Mrs. Marble returned to the sub
ject Of Isaac Bunton. Howard was sur
prised not only by the eagerness, but the
keenness of her questioning, and incl
dentally the deep knowledge she seemed
to possess Of all matters relating to the
world of investments.