The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01

displeasure of the other side. To this
eccentricity, therefore, may be attributed
in no small degree the mystery surround
ing the stranger-a mystery as desirable
to one as the other, at least for the pres
ent.
Il tell you, Burrows, there's something
wrong. There's a niger in the fence, or
my name is not Morrison
my opinion, and has been for a week
or more" declared Mr.. Lowe. another
member of a group of men engaged in
earnest discussion. Mr.. Lowe was a
banker and broker having Cathalee's
financial affairs in charge. Mr.. Morrison
was also a broker, and both men, as well
as others of the group. were closely al
lied with Mr. Burrows in various large
financial transactions.
What do you say, Francis?" sarcasti-
cally inquired Mr.. Burrows of another
member of the group. do you believe we
are about TO be swallowed up by nlgger
in the fence7 NonsenseF' he growled,
with infinite disgust. What can be
wrong? The whole thing is In our hands
as 1t always has been. and as it will re-
main so long as we have any use for 1t.
But It's on its last legs-good for about
one more squeeze. She's served us pret-
ty well, and we can't complain if she is
finally MIXED dry
May be all right. but looks very sus-
picious TO me just the same,' Mr.. Morri-
son insisted. THE stock has been climb
ing slowly and steadily for several weeks
past; in the last few days it seems to
have taken a new lease of life despite the
fact that we have been selling pretty
freely. Somebody is picking it up as fast
as we drop 1t. May be the public taking
new interest-or may not be. Whatever
the cause, We must put a stop to 1t at
once-it has gone far enough. We are
not prepared for a bull movement in the
stock at this time"
II don't feel just right about it my
SELF" said Mr.. Lowe. ACTS very strange
fly TO me- have been watching 1t pretty
closely of late as | have made Mrs. Dav-
idge interested. feeling assured that 1t
was perfectly safe. 1 have been holding
this money of hers for some time await
ing certain investments, and thought it
might make a turn for itself while lying
idle. Besides, / am pretty heavily inter-
ested myself, and 1 cannot afford to see
the thing go wrong at this particular
time
Utter and complete roti" declared Mr..
Burrows. with irritable impatience. You
are all frightened before you are hurt 1
tell you the thing is all right. To be sure
tie stock has been going up-all the bet
ter-it will drop all the harder. Some
idiots have taken to buying simply be-
cause it has shown little life, and they
imagine there is something behind it; but
they'll run like a flock of scared sheep
when we get after them.
oh. | have no doubt whatever as to
ultimate outcome-not the least in the
world" Mr.. Lowe hastened to assure his
leader.
Il am advised that the mills were shut
down tight as q drum today continued
Mr. Burrows. $50 much for the new
board of directors. Fact is, they are
landed high and dry-worked sout fiat.
have been waiting for them to get to the
end of their rope. You see 1 am in pretty
close touch with them-not move can
they make but is Immediately reported
to me. Looks like a fiourishing condition
at the nines-very inviting indeed for
bull movement in the stock he sarcas-
tically observed.
Now is the time to strike-shell sim
ply fall of her own weight declared Mr..
Morrison.
"We'll get after the whole crowd bright
and early tomorrow morning and break
their backs before they have a chance to
unload. Well drive them into the woods
so far they'll never get pack. Wen Sc
cure possession of the Properties prac-
tically on our own terms, and then Pll
show you trick that has not yet been
turned"
Gentlemen! Gentlemen! 1 protest!'
room just in time to catch these dire
threats What terribly cruel man you
are, to be sure, Mr.. Burrows. And upon
whom, pray, is such punishment TO be
inaicted?'
"Bullsr' laughed Mr. Morrison "The
bulls are to be summariy dealt with to-
morrow. We must apologize, Mrs. Da-
vidge, for talking shop. but the fact
is, we are all interested in a GER
fofr, ont m no
augurated tomorrow, in which, by the
way, you are also nterested-Consoli-
dated Properties-as perhaps you are
aware?"
Il was not. but you are quite excus-
able. The whole party seems to have
gone stark mad over the general sub
ject. AS it seems quite the proper
thing, / suppose / should be glad that
1 am-what shall l say-in on it? Is
that slang, or a technical expression? I
said it, and then wondered where /
got it."
general movement was being made
toward the parlors. A very mysterious
and impromptu feature of the enter
tainment had just been announced.
Cathalee ascended the little stage and
stood for a moment awaiting quiet be-
fore speaking. What piece of devil
try is that girl up to now?" queried
the major of his friend the colonel.
Something is going to happen, I'd
stake my old head / see it in her
eyes-shes just boiling over with mis-
chief"
Friends" she said. pausing for a
moment and glancing over her audi
enee as il to sense its humor Il am
about to announce a very unusual fea-
ture of entertainment. 1t is not neces-
sary that l should mention the very
worthy object for which you are all
lending me your hearty and generous
and very substantial assistance this
evening, nor need l speak of the sacri-
fees more or less exacting many of us
are called upon to make in order to
successfully prosecute the work we have
undertaken. Suffice to say, we reckon
not the mental or physical discomforts If
our poor efforts but accomplish the de-
sired purpose. This. then, is the justi
fication that / feel and offer-if, in
deed justification really be needed in
behalf of so worthy cause. Frankly,
ladies and gentlemen, / am about to
offer to the highest bidder a--kiss.
The single stipulation, that the fortu-
nate gentlemanApardon my presump-
tion-shall receive his purchase imme-
diately. and on this stage, unless he