New-York tribune., 1906-10-28

tell him, that they were in a particularly tight
hole. Who helped them out no one knew, and
Atkinson would not have been sorry if Framp-
ton had gone to the wall: but it would have
been hard lines on Ashleigh, who wasn't half a
bad fellow, for he couldn't call his life his own
with that old PeckSniff.
Next morning the manager telephOned to
Ashleigh, and in a few minutes the latter was
in the room. He was well set up and good
looking fellow, with naturally honest express
sion and straightforward manner Recently,
however he had been looking worried and
was nervous when anyone spoke suddenly
to him. This morning he was particularly i'll
at ease. He glanced anxiously at Stirton, who,
if possible was more courteous and agreeable
than ever. By and by he was settled in the
clients chair and under the command of the
managers eye.
Had a match yesterday afternoon with
Frank Atkinson" said the manager, with his
characteristic irrelevancy. " Does a long drive,
but | had rather the advantage on the green.
Banking has its own anXieties, AShlelgh; but
pity you fellows on the corn market, even sup
pose business is as sound as Atkinson's; hard
on the nerves. And it just occurs to me you
are not looking quite so fresh as you used to.
You have been spreading little lately, but
fancy you have been successful"
Yes, said Ashleigh, trying to read Stirton' s
face, which was still good natured riddle; we
have had one or two large transactions, and |
hope you have not been afraid about us. Some
fool was going about saying that we were nearly
broke, and was uneasy lest IS should come to
your ears, or that Mr. Forster should hear about
it. But we are quite solvent | am thankful to
say, and something over; in fact, we have
pulled things off rather well, but l don want
to go through that again.
mo? Well, giving advice is kind OF thing |
hate doing, don't You know; but If | were YOU,
and with all respect to your excellent senior,
would go in for quiet and sure business. 1t pays
better in the long run, and saves a man from a
lot of horrid riSkS-dangerOuS risks. Perhaps
you have escaped this time, but you may not
next time; and it would have been rather bad
bunker-soft sand and a steep side, | guess,
Ashlegh Well, l mustn't detan you; many
thanks for looking in. OH l forgot to con-
graduate you upon having such large transac-
ton with Atkinsons." And now the banker S
keen blue eyes were fixed upon Ashleigh who
had risen from the seat. " In an unwonted mt
of industry was glancing over the bills yester-
day, and found a large one drawn by you on At
kinson's. | always think them one of the best
houses on the street, and have no fear that their
bills will not be taken up; but that IS only IN
DO you know, Mr. Stirton. II was coming
in this week about that very matter The bill
is due on Friday, and, of course, AtkInSOnS
could take it up: but, as matter OF tact, the
circumstances are little unusual. They are
not in the ordinary way of business, and | have
been coming in TO speak to you about that bill
every day, and somehow put 1t off, OF course,
what say to you," and Ashleigh was growing
more nervous every minute" what say you
will regard in strict confidence.
"Well, you see, to be quite frank, things
looked very bad for us two months ago, and we
needed assistance just to tide us over a few
weeks; and, to make long story snort, We
that is, asked help from Mr.. James Atllin-
son. At first he wouldn't give 1t, because he
doesn't quite we'll understand Mr.. Frampton
but at last he allowed us-that is, really me
to draw on them the BILL you know. But of
course this was an absolutely confidential
transaction-in fact, just loan from them
and it was understood that We should withdraw
the bill, and not they. So l was going to call if
you hadn't sent for me, to ask you not to COM
municate with Atkinson at ALL and to allow
us to withdraw it instead of the other people.
As the young fellow labored through this re-
markable explanation the persplration began
to stand on his forehead, but the banker
seemed more gracious than ever.
"Glad you have explained, Ashleigh," the
banker spoke just a tri1e more slowly than
usual. Il almost wish you had come sooner,
and, do you know, if you will excuse me saying
so, that you had not fallen this device of
raising money. This kind of thing must be
very trying to your senior partner, whose prin-
CipleS I'm sure hinder him from speculation