Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-25
.EREDITH NICHOLSON

| sions- Vanity is not. as Is usually assumed.
| a mere incident Of character; 1t Is q disease.
II suppose" said Margrave, that man
| could buy barrel Of that stuff just now at
| a low figure"
Wheaton could not resist this opportu-
nifty
What I have I got at thirty-one.'' he
| answered. as II 1t were the most natural
| thing I'm the world for him to have Trac-
| tion stock. This was not bank conf
I dence: there was no reason why he should
not talk of his own Investments II he
| wished to do so.
Margrave had reseated himself. and
lounged on the settee with confidential
| air that he had found very effective in the
committee rooms at the state capitol when
it was necessary to deal with difficult leg
islator.
| than that" he said carelessly. BILLY usu-
ally gets In on the ground floor" He
chuckled to himself in admiration of the
bankers shrewdness. But fellow
do what he pleases when he's got money.
Most of us see good things and can't go
, into the market after EN-
| what's your guess as to the turn this
Traction business will take?'' asked whea-
ton. He had not expected an opportunity
to talk to any one Of Margraves standing
on this subject. and he thought he would
get some information while the opportu-
nifty offered.
Don't ask me! If knew I'd like to get
into the game. But. look here"-he moved
his fat body little nearer to Wheaton
the way to go into that thing is to go into
1t big! I've had my eye on it for q good
while. but amt going to touch 1t unless
can swing 1t all. Now. you know Porter,
and know him. and you can bet your las.
dollar he'll never be able to handle 1t. He
amt built for it," His voice sank to a
whisper. But If 1 decide to go in, I've got
| to get rid of Porter. Me and Porter can't
travel In the same harness. You know
that. he added. pleadingly. as IL there
were the bitterness of years of controversy
in his relations with Porter
Wheaton nodded sympathetically
Now, don't know how much he's got
this In an angry tone. as If Porter were
guilty of some grave ofrense against him
land he's SO id mysterious you can't
tell what he's up to. You know how he is;
you can't go to a fellow like that and do
business with him. and he won't play any
how. unless you play his way.
We'll. don't know anything about his
affairs, of course" said Wheaton. yet feel
Ing that Margrave's condolences must be
rectprocated. Just between ourselves-he
waited for Margrave to nod and grunt In
his solemn way-"he did buy little some
time ago. but no great amount. It would
take good deal of money to control that
company
You're dead right. 1t would: and Porter
hasn't any business fooling with 1t. You've
got to syndicate a thing like that. He's
probably got tip from some one Of his
eastern friends as to what they're going to
do, and he's buying in, when he can. to get
next. Buy say. he hasn't any Traction
bonds, has hep"
Wheaton had already said more than he
had intended. and repented now that he
had been drawn into this conversation; but
Margrave was bending toward him with a
great air of condescending intimacy. Porter
had never been confidential with him. and
it was really Margrave who had given him
his start.
Il don't think so; at least never knew
of it,
His mind was on those checks to Peckham,
which clearly represented purchases of
stock. OF course, Porter might have bonds.
too, but having gone thus far he did not like
to admit to Margrave how little he really
knew of POrtsr's doinRs. Margrave was
putting solennly at his cigar. and changed
the subject. When he rose to go and stood
stamping down his trousers, which were
forever climbing up hts fat legs when he
sat, Wheaton felt an impulse to correct
any false impressions which he might have
given Margrave; but he was afraid to try
this. He would discredit himself with Mar
grave by doing SO. He had not intended to
leave early. but he hated to let 60 of
Margrave, and he followed him into the
coat room.
That's all between us-that little mat
ter" said Margrave. as they were helped
into their coats by the sleepy colored boy.
Wheaton wanted to say this himself, but
Margrave saved him the trouble.
Certainly. Mr.. Margrave."