Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-06-16

Sy. nc WASAeO uOW " COuSIIuCI u 4O6
ging railroad. Then he promised him
self and Wallace that they would be
ready to commence paying operations.
He had made all the estimates and
even the preliminary survey. He was
therefore the more grievously disap-
pointed when Wallace Carpenter made
Il impossible for him to do so.
It was about the middle Of July. He
was sitting back idly in the clean
painted mill Office with the big square
desk and the three chairs. Through
the door he could see Collins perched
on a high stool before the shelf-like
desk. From the open window came the
clear, musical note of the circular saw,
the fresh, aromatic smell of new lum-
Der, the bracing air from Superior spar
king in the off1ng. He felt tired. In
rare moments such as these, when the
muscles Of his striving relaxed, his
mind turned to the past. Old sorrows
rose before him and looked at him with
their sad eyes. He wondered where
his sister was. She would be twenty
two years old now. A tenderness,
haunting, fearful, invaded his heart.
At such moments the hard shell Of his
rough woods life seemed to rend apart.
He longed with great longing for
sympathy, for love.
The outer door, beyond the cage be-
hind which Collins and his shelf desk
were placed, few open. Thorpe heard
a brief greeting, and Wallace Carpen-
ter stood before him.
"Why, Wallace, didn't know you
were comingy' began Thorpe, and stop
ped. The boy, usually SO fresh and
happily buoyant, looked ten years old
er. Wrinkles had gathered between
his eyes. "Why, what's the matter?"
cried Thorpe.
He rose and swiftly shut the door in
to the outer Office. Wallace seated
himself mechanically.
Everything! Everything!" he said
in despair. "I've been a fool. I've
been blind"
So bitter was his tone that Thorpe
was startled. The lumberman sat
down on the other side of the desk.
"That III do, Wallace" he said sharp
~. s"Tell me briefly what is the mat
ter"
1--WE been speculatingy' burst out
the boy.
"Ah!'' said his partner.
II bought on margin. There came
q slump. met the margins because /
am sure there will be rally, but now
all my fortune is in the thing. I'm 60
ing to be penniless. I'll lose it all"
"Ah!" said Thorpe.
"And the name Of Carpenter is so
old established, SO honorabler' cried
the unhappy boy. "And my sisterv'
Easy" warned Thorpe. being
penniless isn't.the worst thing that can
happen TO man."
'No, but am in debt" went on the
boy more calmly. II have given notes.
When they come due I'm goner."
"How much?" asked Thorpe lacon-
ieally.
"Thirty thousand dollars:.'
"Well, you have that amount in this
6rm."
Wnat 90 you mea0v
III you want it you can have it,
Wallace considered moment.
"That would leave me without
cent" he replied.
"But it would save your commercial
honor
Harry" cried Wallace suddenly,
couldn't this firm 60 on my note for
tnlrty thousand morey Its credit is
good, and that amount would save my
margins
you are partner" replied Thorpe.
your signature II 40 good a. mine in
this firm"
"But you know I wouldn't do 1t with
out your consent" replied Wallace re-
proachfully. "Oh, Harry cried the
boy. when you needed the amount I
1T you have I'll!
Thorpe smiled.
''You know you can have II 4 it's to