The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-10-16
In Wall Street
BY EDITH M. DoANE
Copyright, 1906, by Ruby Douglas
By EDITH M. DoANE

Il Copyright, 1906, by Ruby Douglas
Jack Bentley was permitting himself
lhe luxury Of a day off He felt that
he was entitled to it.
For month past the situation had
been too tense, the excitement too keen,
for any thought beyond the whir Of
the ticker.
The firm of Curtice & Co., stock
brokers, was the medium through
which wealthy syndicate had manip-
ulated the stock market to its own adj
vantage. Bentley, the junior partner
Of Curtice & 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 off sue
cessfully
And now upon this bright morning in
early summer Jack Bentley was feeling
decidedly well 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 own hook.
1t was getting well into July, and as
Bentley's automobile whlrled up Fifth
avenue his mind turned longingly from
the city, sweltering in midsummer
heat, to the vision of 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, little winding brook sparkling
and splashing between clunps of fern
and low banks, willow fringed; GIRL
sweet and gracious, her white frock
cool against great moss covered
bowlder, the sunlight falling through
the leaves in Pickering shadows on her
soft, fair hair.
In the height of the fight he had re-
ceived her letter You'd better come"
she wrote. Its as lovely as ever
here and at the end again, do
come" He had smiled as he teIe-
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 a
guardian-strange how he had always
mistrusted that man-could not fail to
be impressed by the tidy sum he had
pulled out 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 a second they
the evidences of his senses, she color.
ing prettily and holding out one slim
hand in cordial greeting.
81 phoned to your Office this morning,
but you were not there"
rs anything wrong?" he asked I'm.
easily.
Nothing, except that return to the
country this afternoon at o'clock, and
| 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
any one to know. He wired me yes
terday to come at once. You know, he
has managed everything for me just as
much since 1 have been of age as be
did before" She hesitated, flushing
with excitement. Jack" she cried, at
is a great secret, but / am going to be
very rich"
He regarded her gravely
Through some stock DEAL" shG
went on, with feminine vagueness.
Perhaps you've heard of it. Mr..
Sheldon has made ever so much
money lately yesterday 1 am t.
make lot in the same way He has
all my securities. l gave them to him
this morning."
DO you mean you have given that
man all your money?' Bentley blurted
out.
Had Sheldon appropriated the girls
money to his own use? That same in
slant Bentley was sure of it. His
brain, used to quick deductions, leap
ed from the rumOr on the street that
Sheldon had been badly hit to the sud
den wire to Constance-the secrecy
the Misrepresentation. These, coupled
with the mans well known shrewd.
ness, could mean only one thing
Sheldon had lost heavily and intended
to recoup with Constance's money.
His first impulse was to tell her of
the deception that was being prac-
ticed upon her But she would not
believe him. Besides, he was not alb
solutely certain of it and might
alarm her needlessly.
How he accomplished what follow
ed he never clearly knew He heard
a voice he hardly recognized as his
own claiming a pressing engagement
and begging her to lunch with him
later.
He saw the surprise in her eyes
succeeded by frank acceptance of his
explanation, lie heard each infection
of her dear voice as she promised to
meet him, and then a moment later
he was speeding toward lower Bread
way. Once only did his pace lessen,
and then only so long as it took him
to rush up the steps of his apartment
and slip something small and shining
into the pocket of his long, loose coat.
The situation from Sheldon's point
of view was bad enough without the
interference of Jack Bentley, who had
entered his private office with scant
ceremony.
Mr.. Sheldon" said that young man
abruptly, II learned an hour ago that
you have, through Misrepresentation,
appropriated certain securities belong
ing to Miss Elliott"
For once Sheldon's self possession
deserted him. What lie is this?" he
cried. half rising from his chair
"And," continued Bentley coolly, ST
have come 10 get them and return
them to her"
q refuse to give them to you"
You must"
Il am acting as her agent. BY what
right do YOU
Bentley leaned across the table
MIR. Sheldon" he said grimly. 81 have
come for the papers and intend to get