The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-02
CHAPTER XXI.
Amos Gwynne's Bad News.

Amos Gwynne was a portly, gray |
headed gentleman, with a shrewd kindly |
face and an eye that could twinkle or be |
stern according to circumstances. |
world in whom her father reposed more :
confidence, and she clasped his hand
warmly. sd K
He held hers in his a few seconds and
looked at2sher without speaking, and, as
the girl thought, pityingly
II hope my letter did not alarm you
very much, my dear?'' said he.
II am not quite sure. Itawas certainly
puzzling. i Are you the bearer Of bad
news?' N-"
Some people might call it bad-very
bad. Others might not, but these others
are philosophers, and what philosophers
think Is of not much account in the opin-
ion Of the world generally
you are speaking In riddles, Mr..
| Gwynee."
He looked at her again, as II studying
| her features and trying to read her
| thoughts. ~,
You are very like your father, my
dear-wonderfully like. The same steady,
| resolute eye, the same firmly-cut mouth
| and chin. I don't think you will faint or
go into Mysteries at what I am about to
tell you" s- H.
Probably Amos Gwynne meant to COM
pliment and reassure her, but his preface
was not very encouraging. Like her
father? How could she tell, she who
knew so little of her fathers history?
You have come to tell me OF some
misfortune" she answered quietly, land
the greatness kindness you can show is
to let me know as quickly as possible"
Good. Tine glad to hear you say this.
1t lightens my task With my co-execu-
tor I have for the last week been going
into your fathers affairs. and the first
tx.rs f.rI o.
figures in the will--the date Of which, by
the way, is year ago. This will. appar-
emily. makes you a rich woman, BUT when
we went into the matter we found that
tho securities he mentioned have been
realized, that the business. instead of
showing a profit. has been worked at a
loss for. the past two years. that there
are heavy liabilities which, unless met,
will bring ruination on the house-in short
that. legally speaking, you have not a
penny place In the world"
Eleanor heard him calmly. TO say that
she was unnoved would be an exaggera-
; ton. but her nerves were under perfect
control.
us that all?' she asked, In a low voice
after a pause.
Yes. 1t Is enough, I hope?. Believe
me, wish 1t had fallen upon some one
else to tell you this But you have met
me with so much fortitude that my duty
: has been robbed Of Its terrors. You have
: astonishing courage"
Oh that's Of no consequence" she re.
Joined, impa tiently. Anyone ought to BIZ
able to bear the simple loss Of money. Il
: IS when All, Mr. Gwynne" she cried
" irnpulsively and with a tender anxiet,
in her eyes which made them inexpress
ibly beautiful, you said just now you hat
told me all. Are you sure?
4 "sure?" he repeated, struck by some
thing In her face. "Of course I'm sure
I Why do you ask p"
There is nothing-nothing in this los
discreditable to my father?' she faltered
"Ah, l see now what's In your mind
returned the old gentleman, quickly INC
/ no. The cause of the downfall is com
!! mon enough in this go-ahead age. Owe
speculation and hazardous trading. An
even for this my dear old friend was no
to blame. The manager, Mr.. Boscott, t
whom he gave a free hand after his Ill
ness. and while he was abroad. was over
anxious to shew what he could do to pu
things straight. There had been some ter
rible heavy losses just before the Jubile
! Day-an Australian house, believed to b
perfectly sound, unexpectedly failed-an
| it was then that your father realised hi
securities in order to weather the storm
: No doubt things would have righte
hurry. Well. it's over, and the onl
thing we can do is to save what we ca
out Of the wreck for you
st docs that mean anyone-any of tt
q creditors you know will suffer-
u. m Mr.. Amos Gwynne shrugged his SHOULD
ID ders. 1.-The creditors will suffer in an
Or case. II everything were realized it woul
I: not be sufficient to pay fifteen shillings
the pound