The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-04-22


Oh.
The fact is, be was determined 70
succeed. He wanted fame and hc
wanted money. lie wanted fame fOI
itself, and he wanted money because il
meant power. 1t meant something else
something SO far away that it made
him gasp TO think that he could ever
stretch out his arms for it.
John Hammond often said 10 him
John Hammond was his partner and
very good friend-"Jim Warwick,
you're putting too much good fuel into
your frebox. Youll have nothing 10
fail back upon when you need a little
reserve force. Slack up, my boy, and
take things easier. We are doing well
enough. This is a rising firm. We are
going TO climb all right, and there's
10 use taking any short cut 10 the sum
nit Put on the brakes, my lad
SO spoke John Hammond, threc-and-
thirty, TO James Warwick, nine-and-
twenty. il was the voice Of experience
and the voice of wisdom, but James
Warwick wasn't ready 10 heed it.
once in while John Hammond drew
him into society. pleasant little card
parties, a theatre party once, and once
a dance. John Hammonds wife liked
jim everybody liked him. for that
matter-there hadn't been more pop
ular man at college-and she dcvOtcdly
wished that he would encounter some
charming girl, who would lure him
away from that Uttered desk for a
reasonable portion OF the time.
There was such a girl, but Anna
Hammond. for all her cleyerness,
never dreamed of her identity And
Jim Warwick scarcely dared TO dream
ii either.
Jim was alone in the office this Jan
nary afternoon. Hammonds wife had
called for him and he had gone away
with her. She had put her bright face
for moment in the doorway.
"All work and no play makes Jim n
dull boy" she cried. 81 want you TO
come TO dinner Sunday. and you are
going with Us TO the theatre next week.
And Jim, looking aft,S her, felt that
Hammond was a very l,.cky man.
Presently he pushed the papers back
and lifted his head with a little sigh
He even leaned back and pushed his
hand through his thick hair. He felt
n sudden impulse to grab his hat and
run away. Was the game worth the
candle?
He put his teeth together with n
sharp click and seized his pencil again.
Lady wants TO see you sir"
1t was the voice Of the office boy in
the doorway. q
Tell her Mr.. Hammond Is out"
asked for you, sir"
Warwick frowncd.
Pm very busy" He looked around.
"Are you sure she asked for me-"
Sure. She said, i want TO see Mr.
Warwick
Jim leaned over his papers again.
"Show her in" she said.
lie did not hear the light football as
the visitor entered. He was not aware
of her presence until her pleasant voice
electrified him
Good afternoon, Mr.. Warwick"
He turned sharply and arose. A dull
red suddenly surged in his checks.
Miss Ormsby," he stammcrcd.
She put out her slim hand, and he
took it timidly.
How do you do, Mr. Warwick
"Thank you" he replied, 81 am quite
well"
She looked at him critically.
Are you sureT she asked. 81 fancy
] have seen you when you looked less
tired"
81 am quite well" he repeated. He
was still da2ed by her sudden appear
ance. "Will you take a chair?"
"Yes, thank YOU" she answered. "Do
j interrupt you at an inopportune mo-
mentY"
"Not at ALL" he replied, as he pushed
the papers back.
81 warn you she said that my
business will take little time"
II am quite at your service" War
wick said. He was beginning 10 feel
more at his ease. He knew that he
hadn't appeared at his best. She had
startled him by entering In this un-
expected manner. He never could
have dreamed that such call was
possible. Yet there she was. almost
beside him. her fair presence filling
the dingy room with radiance.
There was n little silence.
This is entirely n confidential mat
Ter, Mr.. Warwick"
He bowed aud waited. but she
seemed at n loss for further words.
Yet the glance from her clear gray eyes
did not waver.
"Mr. Warwick" she presently said.
81 fancy ] have known you much
longer than you imagine"
She met his surprised look with n liz.
lie smile.
II cannot understand" he said. chow
you have this advantage-if adyantag,
IL can be called"
do you remember Arthur Ridge
lcyr'
II remember an Arthur Rldgeley who
was n college man.
Arthur Ridgeley is my half brother,
But he never told me"
II have no doubt he told you he hat
n sister"
"Yes, ] remember now. ] was n tuto
then. He did tell me OF his sister. ii,
seemed proud of her"
She nodded.
Arthur and 1 are quite alone in th