The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1906-09-20
In Wall Street
By EDITH M DOANE
Copyright. 1906, by Ruby Douglas


Jack Bentley was permitting himself
the luxury Of day Off. He felt thai
he was entitled to it.
For month past tn situation had
been too tense, the excitement too keen
for any thought beyond the whir OF
! the ticker.
brokers, was the medium through
which wealthy syndicate had manip-
ulated the stock market to it's own ad-
vantage. Bentley, the junior partner
Of Curtice s. Co, had labored steadily
at his post on the floor of the exchange.
cool and imperturbable in the midst Of
the rising storm, and only the day be-
fore the deal had been pulled or sue
cessfully
And now upon this bright morning in
early summer Jack Bentley was feeling
decidedly we'll satisfied with life in
general His part of the transaction
had been well handled, his share in the
way Of commissions was distinctly
gratifying, and in addition he had
cleaned up neat little sum by going
Into the deal on his osyn hook.
1t was getting well into July. and as
Bentley's automobile whiried up Fifth
avenue his mind turned lonstngiy from
the city, sweitering in midsummer
heat, to the vision Of q clubhouse in
the heart of the Berkshire hills.
1t was picture often in his thoughts.
The long, low, rambling clubhouse,
with its old fashioned garden at one
side, a little winding brook sparkling
and spiashing between clumps Of fern
and low banks. willow fringed; girl.
sweet and gracious. her white frocE
cool against a great moss covered
bowider, the sunlight falling Trough
the lea yes In Pickering shadows OF Ter
soft, fair hair.
In the height OF the fight he lad re
ceived her letter You'd better come"
here" and at the end again. DO
come" He had smiled as he te.e-
graphed his answer There was no
doubt OF his attitude where Constance
Elliott was concerned.
A great longing for country sights
and sounds swept over him, for the
woods and hills and her. A little while
and he would have them. A few days
attention to strengthening out the after
math OF the great fight and then
Constance had no parents to object,
and even her old curmudgeon Of
guardian--strange how he had always
mistrusted that man-could not fail to
be impressed by the tidy sum he had
pulled oNt of the late deal.
Where Fifth avenue broadens into
! the plaza he mechanically lessened
speed. his mind still with the girl in
the Berkshires as the huge car turned
smoothly into Central park.
And the first person his eyes lighted
on was Constance Elliott.
The next instant he was before her,
cap In hand, and she rose in astonish-
ment to meet him. For second they
faced each other. lie scarcely crediting
the evidences of Ms senses, she color
ing prettily and holding out one slim
hand in cordial greeting.
II phoned to your Office this morning,
but you were not there"
as anything wrong?' he asked I'M
easily.
Nothing. except that return to the
country this afternoon at o'clock, and
l thought
II am wondering" he interrupted.
laughing uncertainty to cover his hurt,
why I might not have known you
were in town.
But l wasn't, not until late last
night, and Mr.. Sheldon did not wish
teYday to come at once. You know, he
has managed everything for me just as
much since I have been Of age as he
did before she hesitated, flushing
with excitement. Jack" she cried, I'll
is great secret but am going to be
very rich"
He regarded her gravely.
Through some stock DEAL" she
went on, with feminine vagueness
Perhaps you've heard of it. Mr.
Sheldon has made Ver so much
money lately yesterdV and l am to
make lot in the same way. He has
all my securities. gave them to hin,
this morning"
DO you mean you have given tina,
man all your money! Bentley blurtec
out.
Hac Sheldon appropriated the girls
money to his own use? That same in
slant Bentley was sure of it. Hi:
brain. used to quick deductions, leap
: ed from the rumor on the street tina
Sheldon had been badly hit to the sud
den wire to Constance-the secrecy
the Misrepresentation. These, coupiet
with the mans well known shrewd
ness, could mean only one thing
, Sheldon had lost heavily and intende'
TO recoup with Constance's money.
His first impulse was to tell her o
the deception that was being prac
ticed upon her. But she would no
believe him. Besides, he was not at
, solutely certain of it and nigh
alG-;,l her needlessly.
How he accomplished what follow
ed lie never clearly knew. He hear
a voice he hardly recognized as hi