Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-24

al ed the long line of figures before
him.
1T is a smash-utterly and absolute
ly smash. Well. it's no good whining
I'm done for"
Jack gave a sigh, for there was
something more than financial loss i'm
pending, and he knew it.
Throughout the seven and twenty
years of his life, he had been accus-
toned to regard himself, and had been
regarded by others, as a rich mans son.
Wetmore & Wetmore had always been
held above suspicion. AS he sat in
his comfortably furnished rooms he
could hear the cries of the newsboys
with the special edition of the evening
papers:
Further details of the Wetmore fail
ure."
He rose from the table and pushed
the papers wearily from him. Stroll
ing into the dressing room adjoining
he exchanged his smoking Jacket for
dress coat and arranged his tie with
critical air.
IF it is to be my last appearance"
he said, "at least I'll make it as out
wardly respectable as l can"
Then he frowned and looked
thoughtfully at the fire, his hands un-
consciously moving toward the mantle
piece till 1t touched massive silver
frame containing a portrait, a recent
one evidently, of particularly hand
some girl.
ITS no good, Bessie-no good, my
dear. | dare not speak to you now.
I'm done for"
Twenty minutes later the butler at
Blansford's announced Mr.. Wetmore,
and after few words with Mrs.
Blansford his hostess, he passed into
the ballroom. In all the brilliant crowd
there was only one face he looked for,
one wellknown figure for the sigh of
which he yearned.
At last, after wandering through
several rooms, he saw her. She was
sitting under a shaded lamp, appar-
emily paying but little attention to the
man who was talking to her. But the
instant Mr.. Wetmore passed through
the door she beckoned to him.
Come and sit here, jack" said she,
pointing to the vacant seat just left
by the other man.
She regarded him with an amused
little smile and nod of approval. She
was young woman with Ideas Of her
hn tod thn hsrht
careless manner with which he seemed
to carry his misfortune
you don't look very doleful, Jack,
under the circumstances"
He laughed little.
my dear Miss Blansford, do you
think it would help matters if | went
about looking like a mute at fu-
neral?"
And pray my dear Jack" she re.
torted mockingly, since when have
become Miss BlansfordY"
"Since l heard the news last night,
he answered grimly.
"Oh, very well, If you are going tc
go and quarrel with your friends just
because you've lost little money
1T may be a little, but unfortunate
ly it happens to be all I've got. ow,
good deal besides"
Wetmore rose and held out his hand
He was fast losing his self-control.
II must be off | came only to sa,
good-by to you
Miss Blansford closed her fan Will
snap.
"Sit down, Jack, at once, and don
be an idiot"
Taken aback at this sudden and per
emptory command, he obeyed.
Now, then, what was 1t you reall,
came to say to me?"
'.To say good-by, and ask you t
wish me good luck" he answered.
What would you have said If thing
had-had been different? Shall tel
you?" she whispered. you wou
have said, Bessie l love you An
now, just because you're a goose an
an idiot, and happen to possess NOR
money than know what to do will
you would rather die than say fou
simple little words like that"
"Oh, Bessie"
Eyes. oh, Bessie" she continued