River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-02
A FORTUNATE
FAILURE
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co..
BY wHREN wRYDELL

i
CANDLES, be it cards or stocks, she re-
peated.
Joel wondered at her attitude, but re-
solved that she should never be the wiser
in regard to his recent schemlng on the
market.
PERHAPS that is why you did not at
tend the last progressive euchre party
at the De Laneys."
"You guessed right; it was in con-
fict with my principle, hence declined
to attend"
He began to suspect that his path in
the wooing of Marie would not be as
smooth as his sanguine expectations had
pictured it,
ut is very exciting" he ventured
"And very exhilarating when you
lose, l presume"
''To lose is not necessary for our
health and happiness, besides it is fine
sport to win"
81 hope you are not speaking for your
self; if you are we can never be the pest
of friends, ! am sure"
He gaZed through the window down
the broad avenue and, although it was
nine O'Clock at night, he readily recog-
nized the face of Williams, his most
hated adversary on exchange, passing
in his automobile. His wife and daugh-
ter were with him, evidently out for an
evening spin, and for moment Joel
realized that he was planning their rum.
A moment later she continued: L
am at present writing a magazine ar
ticle upon the evils of stock gambling.
I shall use the most telling arguments
in favor of government control OF the
market"
He suddenly came to the conclusion
that there was only one way open to
him and that was to win her before his
corner of eggs was announced. She
stepped to the piano and he obediently
followed. Possessing a fine baritone
voice he now, as he so often had done
before, poured out his love in song. He
laid such stress upon each recurrence
of any reference to the delicate passion
that she could not help but understand.
She seemed engrossed in the manipula-
ton of the keyboard, but he recognized
by the bowling of her head that his plead
ing in song was not in vain. Between
the lulls in the music he would whisper
what he left unsung, and the result
as sooner or later was to be expected,
their engagement would be announced
in the near future.
Upon leaving he added: Let me hope
that your magazine article will be ap-
preciated by your readers, and chuckled
within himself while stepping around
the corner to his residence.
The next morning he awoke with the
firm conviction that Ife was one long,
sweet song Not that he doubted this
before, but he began to realize that the
proper incentive had been lacking.
While partaking of his breakfast he
glanced over the morning paper. In the
financial column there was naturally
much to interest him. and with glance
of satisfaction he noted prominent
heading about his relations with the
market. His corner is well-nigh COM
plete and he is recognized as a genius
of speculation. 1t is admitted that he
will amass a stupendous fortune. In the
editorial section he also finds leading
article about himself. Here he is round
IL abused; Is accused of forcing the
price of eggs to an unprecedented height,
thereby robbing the poor of a necessity
of life. His speedy downfall is fervently
hoped for; which causes Joel to become
only more decided in his endeavor.
There is no turning back now, no mat
ter what the papers say.
With a start he is reminded that
Marie may read this. To say the least
his mind was far from its accustomed
ease that morning.
On arriving on exchange his mind in
voluntarily cleared for action With
scant deliberation. but with marvellous
foresight. he swept everything before
him. His adversaries, including Will
liams. were upon mad stampede. vain
ly endeavoring to hold their forces to-
gether. and, above all, ruin stared them
in the face.
At the first sight of Marie in the draw
ing room at her home that evening he
fell prey to decided misgiving. We will
speedily discover, the cause.
From the table she produced news
paper and pointing to leading editorial
inquired for an explanation. Having
concluded, she added: Remember, will
never marry a man who CANDLES"
But, dear" he answered in some
alarm, eff l do not make fortune by
manipulating the market some one else
will"
Rather q poor argument, and mo-
ment later he became convinced of it.
as she answered with spirit:
Does another's wrong-doing justify
your own? Joel, you cannot imagine
how, this has affected me to-day" Point
ing to the editorial, she continued: 81
could hardly endure the pain of the
thought that this was to be my future
husband. Mercy! For your own loves
sake-give it up!"
She fell into his arms and wept bit
terly. He had experienced many try
ing moments in business. but he readily
confessed that, this was the limit. He
never for a moment, however, intended
to relinquish his corner on the market
for a mere sentiment He did not doubt
his ability in the least to convert her to
his standpoint in the matter.
He. kissed her upturned face tenderly
murmuring the while softly:
My own, my darling own. The pa
pers have grossly exaggerated the mat
ter. Cannot the love we bear each other
mold this slight difference over?''
mold it over! Oh, how miserable
am! For my sake stop the daily gam