The Holly chieftain., 1904-09-30
CHAPTER XIV.



on Gen. Garden. The pronounced &C
tivity in L. & o. served as preteXt
for an evening visit to the Bishop resi-
dence. Blake was greeted by the old
banker with dignified cordially, and
his heart beat high as Jessie frankly
welcomed him.
Under the witchery of her presence.
James Blake wondered that he had
hesitated for moment to risk life
itself to win her. What was friend
ship, loyalty, fame or fortune in the
balance with one smile from the wom-
an he had learned so suddenly to
love? His whole being thrilled with
keenest joy as be felt the faint clasp
of her hand, and his ears drank in the
melody of her voice.
Papa was saying at dinner that the
market had taken decided turn, and
that he thought you would call this
evening"" said Jessie. He felt so GER
tain of it that we postponed theater
party. You are to be congratulated.
papa, on your intuition"
Il am the one to be congratulated,
said Blake, with a smile and a bow.
but | should preface my self-felicita-
tons with an apology for the infor-
mality of my call. If Gen. Garden
will stand sponsor for my plea that
business eXigencies cover a multitude
of social improprieties, | may hope
| for forgiveness; and, if forgiven,
warn you that shall commit the Of
| tense again."
| oil 10 An To-
| face and frightened the radiance Of
| her eyes.
you will never become an outcast
| by such transgressions, she laughed.
| Il will leave you and papa to your
business plottings. Edith is here, and
when you have ended your serious af-
| fairs perhaps you will join us and wo
can have music or cards"
Blake's face glowed with pleasure
no formal words could conceal.
Our business will be ended in a
minute" he said. Il know the gen.
eral has not forgotten the defeat we
administered to him the other even
ing, and as an old soldier fancy he
is eager to wipe out his repulse with
a victory"
"He certainly is asserted Gen.
Garden. I'm SO sure Of winning to-
night that on behalf of Edith chal.
whist, with a box tomorrow evening:
for Booths production of "A Fools
| Revenge as a wager!"
"Done!" exclaimed Blake.
Il warn you that papa generally
wins when something is at stake,s
| said Jessie, but I'll do the best /
can, and hope for good luck to offset
my poor playing
She excused herself, and Blake and
| Gen. Garden plunged into stock tech
nicalties.
81 wished you to know the cause OF
to-day's advance in L. & o." ex-
planned Blake. For reasons you sur
mise, am picking up blocks of this
stock. 1t will go higher tomorrow,
and then a slump may follow, but you
need not worry whether it advances
control. From present indications
you will be called on to exercise your
option inside of ten days"
| Il have confidence in your judg-
ment and you can rely on prompt ex.
ecution of your Instructions" said
Gen. Garden. For twenty years
have been identified with Wall street,
and understand its ethics. In this
compaign you are the general. You
will find me loyal aide
There was more talk, but since
Blake had nothing of Importance to
disclose, the conference soon ended.
Blake was triumphantly satisfied
with his progress. He rightly inter-
preted Gen. Gardens suggestion OF
theater party as a tacit permission
to pay his addresses to Jessie Garden.
Later in the evening, through
chance remark by Miss Hancock, he
learned that they had declined a thea
ter invitation from Arthur Morris. He
no longer had the slightest fear Ct
Morris. He felt sure of the consen.
and even the support of Gen. Garden
in his suit for the hand Of his daugh-
ter.
The. whist game was closely con.
tested, but as Jessie had predicted
the general and Edith won n hard