The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-20
TIE EVENING STORY
In wall street.
lBy Edith 81. Doane.)

ror month past the situation nad
been too dense. the excitement too keen,
for any thought beyond the whirr Of the
ticker
The firm of Curtice & Co.. stock
brokers, was the medium through which
a wealthy syndicate had manipulated
the stock market to its own advantage.
Bentley, the junior partner of Curtfce
& 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 before the deal
had been pulled off, successfully.
And now, upon this bright morning in
early summer, Jack Bentley was feeling
decidedly well satisfied with life in gen.
eral. His part of the transaction had
been well handled. his share in the way
of commissions was distinctly crafty
ing, 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 whirled up Fifth
avenue his mind turned longingly from
the city, swelterIng in midsummer heat,
to the vision of club house in the heart
of the Berkshire Hills.
It was q picture often in his thoughts.
The long, low. rambling club house.
with its old fashioned garden at one
side, little winding brook sparkling
and splashing between clumps of fern
and low banks, willow-fringed; a girl,
sweet and gracious, her white frock cool
dSdA1ASl q great InOSS covered DOulO6As
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, p
she wrote. IT'S as lovely as ever here
and at the end again. do come.' He
had smiled as he telegraphed his an
swer There was no doubt of his atti-
tude where Constance Elliott was con-
cerned.
praaf Ionosre, %o- -o,,,,+r4, sior1,fs
and sounds swept over him. for the
woods and hills, and her. A little while,
and he could 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 mistrust-
ed that man-could not fail to be inn
pressed 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
faced each other, he scarcely crediting
the evidence of his senses, she coloring
prettily and holding out one slim hand
in cordial greeting.
4 'Dhoned to your Office this morn
ing. but you were not there
is anything wrong?" he asked, I'M
easily.
Nothing, except that I return to the
country this afternoon at o'clock.
and 1 thought"
am wondering. he interrupted,
laughing uncertainty to cover his hurt,
why l might not have known you
We're in town.
But I wasn't. not until late last
highland 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 have been of age as
he did before" She hesitated, flushing
with excitement jack" she cried,
TT is a great secret. but I am going
to be very rich"
He regarded her gravely
Through some stock DEAL" she went
on, with feminine vagueness. Per
haps you've heard Of it. Mr. Sheldon
has made ever so much money lately
yesterday-and 1 am to make a lot in
the same way. He has all my securi-
ties. 1 gave them to him this morn
ing"
do you mean you have given that
man all your money!" Bentley blurt-
ed out
Had Sheldon appropriated the girls
money for his own use? That same
instant Bentley was sure of It, His
brain, used to quick deductions. leaped
from the rumor on the street that
Sheldon had been badly hit. to the
secrecy-the Misrepresentation. These.
coupled with the mans well known
shrewdness. 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 need1essly.
How he accomplished what followed
he never clearly knew. He heard
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, he heard each infection
Of her dear voice as she promised to
meet him, and then, moment later
he was speeding toward lower Broad
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 nisrep-
resen ton. appropriated certain Sc
curities belonging to Miss Elliott
For once Sheldon's self-possessfon
deserted him. What lie Is this?" he
cried, half rising from his chair.
and continued Bentley. coolly,
s'I have come to get them and return
them to her"
Il refuse to give them to you'll"
you must!'
II am acting as her agent-by what
right do you
Bentley leaned across the table.
'sdr. sheldon he said. grimly, 81 have
come for the papers and intend to get
them"
Sheldon. his face Iivid. reached for