The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-10-09
on"-he snatched a kiss-"a purely
business matter, darling"

In his little once, IOur stories UP,
which boosted no more than room,
and that barely large enough to swing
a cat, Midway sat the following morn
ing with an appearance of busy pre-
occupation, judging by the books and
papers skillfully Uttered before him,
which might have deceived more OBJ
servant eyes even than those OF Mr..
Nllingham and Foxbrook. Even the
luxury of an office boy was forbidden
him, and for an hour Midway had sat
alone expectantly biting his pen as he
awaited the couple of financiers.
Ten o'clock had barely struck, how
ever, an early hour for men like Fill
bingham and Foxbrook to be aield,
when he heard their voices on the
creaking staircase. Bending over his
desk, he applied himself with an ar
dor to the sheet before him that per-
haps we may have all assumed at ONE
time owe an imaginary task.
His look of absent-minded industry
as he glanced up at the entry of the
two was worthy Of a skilled actor; but
rising after a look of inquiry, tinged
by just the faintest touch of politely
assumed surprise at the sight of Fill
bingham, he offered the only two chairs
the Office possessed.
I'VE shall not detain you long, Mr..
Midway" rejoined the financier, de-
clining them somewhat distantly.
"Just a trifing business matter on
which Mr.. Foxbrook and myself, as
representatives of the Suburban Land
Investment and Building Syndicate,
find ourselves brought in touch with
you. We learn, in short, from Messrs.
MULTI and Fudge that you have been
granted an option of purchase of the
Irwell Hall estate for 100000. Is
that so?"
You have been rightly informed"
replied Midway.
THE estate, as o are probably |
aware" proceeded Mr.. Fillingham,
has been on the market for a consid-
cradle time without a purchaser; but
latterly our syndicate have considered
the matter as to whether by careful
development it might not be made to
pay as a building Site"
precisely, said Midway.
I'VE presume" proceeded Mr.. Fill
bingham, that you do not contemplate
buying the estate yourself, Mr.. Med
way, and that you have secured the on
ton from a speculative point of view.
In short, we are disposed to purchase
for 100000. allowing you a fair per-
centage of commission"
II fear not" smiled Midway, bland
ly. Your surmise that l do not con-
template buying myself is entirely un-
shall probably do so. Per-
haps you are not aware, gentlemen,
that the new line to Darnley will skirt
the whole length of the estate, consid-
erably increasing its value. I should
nave nc difficulty in raising a 500
400 mortgage on the security of the
estate alone, and I dare say Steinway
n Goldthorpe would be glad to snap it
Up for 100000 or 100000"
"N-nonsense!" stammered Mr.. FIJI
ingham, weakly, with a blank glance
t Foxbrook. Forty thousand? Pre-
'osterous, MIR. Midway"
Il have it on good authority" re-
lied Midway, coolly, that the estate
t carefully developed will be worth
ESQ, OOO."
Foxbrook laughed at Mr.. Filling
ans face even amidst his dismay.
you have stolen a march on us,
fedWay," he declared. Though how
on got the news so early Heaven only
nows! l suppose there is no chance
+ buying you out? OF course, the es-
ate wants a building capital to be
roperly worked. Have you a price,"
There is a price, certainly, Mr.. Fox
smiled Midway.
And that?" demanded both men
Can ] rely on 0 to keep a secret,
Foxbrook?" asked Midway.
Decidedly" replied Foxbrook. !
Still, it is a purely business mat
err observed Midway. Ten thou 8
and pounds down for my option.
'eat on the board of your syndicate
With enough shares to entitle me to
hat position, and the estate is yours
IN n other condition"
Name it" cried Fillingham.
That you give your consent to the
marriage Of Phyllis and myself"
"Bravo!" laughed Foxbrook, hearth
y. "A fair offer. You consent, Fill
ingham, of course"
Mr.. F%illingham did assent "a
gracefully as lay in his power. Later 5
N the day, too, he made known the /,
withdrawal of his objection to the /,
radiantly happy Phyllis. ;
Il find, indeed, my dear" he ex- {
planned, that Mr.. Midway, in an i'm.
financial matter in which we
nave beer jointly concerned, has
such u%ndoubted business ability
and promise that, in short, | have no
further objection to your immediate
marriage.'-Cassell's Saturday Jour
nal