Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-11-08

the luxury of day off. lie 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 whr of
the ticker
The firm of Curtice & Co. stock
brokers, was the medium through
which wealthy syndicate had manip-
ulatcd the stock market to its own adj
vantage. BENTLEY, the junior partner
Of Curtice X Co. had labored steadily
at his post on the door 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 III
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.
Bentley's automobile whrled up Fifth
avenue his mind turned longingly from
the city, sweltering in midsummer
heat. to the vision Of a 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
IL lin,
and splashing between clumps of fern
and low banks, willow fringed; Il girl,
sweet and gracious, her white frock
cool against n 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-
ceivcd her letter. You'd better come
she wrote. Its as lovely as ever
here" and ut 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. 4 little while
and he would have them. 4 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
guartlian-strange how he had always
mstrusted 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-
mcnt to meet him. For second they
faced each other, lie scarcely crediting
the evidences of his senses, she color
ing prettly and holding out one slim
hand in cordial greeting.
II phoned to your office this morning,
but you were not there"
us anything wrong" he asked un-
easily.
Nothing, except that | return to the
country this afternoon at 3 o'clock, and
| thought
Il am wondering" he interrupted,
laughing uncertainty to cover his hurt,
"why | might not have known you
were in town."
But | wasn't, not until late last
night, and Mr.. Sheldon did not wish
any one 10 know lie wired me yes
terday TO come at once. You know, he
has managed everything for me Just as
much since | have been Of age as he
did before She hesitated. flushing
With excitement. Jack" she cried. ''it
Is a great secret. but am going to be
very rich"
lie regarded her gravely.
hrough some stock deal" size
went on, with feminine vagueness.
perhaps you've heard of il. Mr.
Sheldon has made ever so much
money Observation-Disclosures | am to
make lot in the same way. He has
all my securities. gave then, to him
this morning"
10 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
prain, used to quick deductions. lean
co from the rumor on the street that
sheidon had been badly hit to the sud
den Wire to ConStancc-the secrecy
'he misrepresentation These. couplcd
win the mans well known shrewd-
ar>', c3uli meaa anly owe gb,pc. a..
She'dou had lost heavily md intended
10 recoup with Constances money
HlS first impulse was TO tell her OF
me deception that was being pr,c-
need upon her, But she would not
believe him. Besides. he was not ab.
soiutely certain of il and might
alarm her needlessly.
How be accomplished what follow
ed he never clearly knew He beard
a voice he hardly recognized as his
own claiming pressing engagement
ana begging her to lunch with him
later.
lie saw the SurpriSa &, bo,. 49,,