The Redwood gazette., 1904-12-28

business. Thorpe intended to establish
in few years more big plant which
would be returning benefices in pro-
portion not My to the capital original
ly invested. ,ut also in ratio to the en-
ergy. time and genius he had himself
expended
Every autumn the company found it
self suddenly in easy circumstances.
At any moment that Thorpe had cho-
sen to be content with the progress
made he could have, so to speak, de-
clared dividends with his partner. In
stead of undertaking more improve
ments, for part of which he borrowed
some money, he could have divided the
profits of the seasons cut. But this he
was not yet ready to do.
He had established FIVE more camps;
he had acquired over 150,000.O00 more
of timber lying contiguous to his own;
he had built and equipped modern
high efficiency mill; he had constructed
a harbor breakwater and the neces-
sary booms; he had bought tug; built
a boarding house. All this cost mon
ey. He wished now to construct log
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
1t 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-
ber, the bracing air from Superior spar
king in the offing. 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 a 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
brief greeting. and Wallace Carpen-
ter stood before him.
'FWhy. Wallace l 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! Everythingr 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 II do, Wallace" he said sharp
". ''Tell me briefly what is the mat
ter
'I've been speculatingr' burst out
the boy.
'Ah!'' said his partner.
"I bought on a margin. There came
a slump. I met the margins because
am sure there will be rally. but now
all my fortune is in the thing. I'm go
ing to be penniless. I'll lose it ALL"
"Ahp' said Thorpe.
"And the name of Carpenter is Sc
old established, so honorable!' cried
the unhappy boy. "And my sister?'
Easy" warned Thorpe. Being
penniless isn't the worst thing that can
happen to a man."
mo, but l am in debt went on the
boy more calmly II have given notes
When they come due I'm a goner."
"How much?" asked Thorpe lacon
ically.
Thirty thousand dollars"
"Well, you have that amount in this
firm"
what do you mean?"
"If you want it you can have it,
Wallace considered a moment.
'That would leave me without 8
cent" he replied.
"But it would save your commercial
honor"
Harry cried Wallace suddenly
couldn't this firm go on my note fol
thirty thousand more? It's credit i:
good, and that amount would save my
margins"
"You are partner" replied Thorpe
"Your signature is as good as mine il
this firm"
"But you know I wouldn't do it with
out your consent" replied Wallace re
proachfully 'Oh, Harry" cried tn,
boy. When you needed the amount
let you have itr'
Thorpe smiled.
'eYou know you can have it il it's t.
be had, Wallace. wasn't hesitatin: