Middletown transcript., 1907-12-21

learned was that the operating
expenses of the road exceeded Il
per cent. Of the gross earnings.
Less expensive motive power
was foreshadowed.
Singleton sat down to work
the problem out. He held 5000
shares Of the stock, which had
cost him $63, 900, and upon which
he had borrowed $25, 900. This
money he had invested in the G.
G. aud I. q. r. r. Company. He
had other securities worth about
49,, 900, which he could quickly
turn into cash. He found that
4o,ooo shares of the Bonanza
stock were in the market, and he
felt confident that if he could
obtain an option on this, with the
information in his possession,
there would be no difficulty in
obtaining in Philadelphia and
New York the capital to control
the road. With this accomplished
he would be in q position to man.
lipulate other combinations. which
would make him a millionaire
several times over. Edna as q
wife was not so far off, after all.
1t turned out just as he had
expected, except in one particu-
lar. A st. Louis syndicate al
ready held an option on the
40, 600 shares coveted by Single
ton, but the syndicate's option
would expire on December oath,
just two weeks from the day
upon which he made his offer.
This was discouraging, but not
final, as the st, Louis people had
evinced a disposition to with
draw. The syndicate's option
was to be executed at the Success
| National Bank in Philadelphia.
| Singleton determined to take the
remaining chances, and upon the
deposit of S45, 1000 he obtained a
conditional option on the stock
at $1o.5o, to be operative at 4
o'clock on the afternoon of De-
cember oath, the day before
| Christmas. Fate was to decide
whether Singleton's Christmas
should be glad or sad.
| The young broker, had he not
been in love, would have insured
his prompt presence in Philadel-
phia. and left Immediately for
that city upon the completion of
the arrangement about the op-
ton, on December 18th, but in
stead he remained in Chicago in
the hope of catching a glimpse
of Edna, whom he had not seen
for over two years, if he could
look upon her without violating
his pledge to her father. AL
this time Edna was a guest Of
Mrs. Playfield, who was in hopes
of making a match between the
White heiress and Viscount Pou.
let, of Buckingshire, England, an
attache of the English Embassy
at Washington, who was visiting
Chicago. Needless TO state that
Edna would have none of the
foreigner.
| Uncle Fairfax did not fail to
acquaint Edna with the fact of
Lees expected presence in Phil
adelphia the day before Christ
mas and he told her about the
Bonanza railway option. I'm
nediately she announced to Mrs.
Playfeld that she must return
home, that ber mother was sick.
This was a white lie, but Edna,
who also hoped to get glimpse
of Leein few days, thought the
tib necessary. Uncle Fairfax's
letter contained the following:
| 1 think | have given you q
faithful outline of Lees plans,
and you may guess what is to be
his prize if be should succeed
in his efforts. Iexpect him here
every day, and it is imperative
Chat he should present the option
at the bank promptly at 8 o'clock
on the oath. If he finds the
other people out of the way the
future is assured, as we have
ample capital to carry out the
scheme. 1 hope he has had lit
properly drawn and that he wiz
not be too late. =
In less than four hours Edna
was on her way to Philadelphia.
Singleton who had put off his
departure until December %,
had received disquieting infor.
nation from ST. Louis, in tele-
gram from a business CORES.
pondent. The Bonanza syndicate
people there had just been in.
formedof Singleton S offer for the
stock, and arranged to dispatch