The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-01-18
MI.
MOST ~UNLADYLIkE.

When L saw WAS TO have u respite
of Q month or so. l went over to the
National Industrial bank with Healey's
roll, which my tellers had counted and
prepared for deposit. l finished my
business With the receiving teller of the
National Industrial. and dropped in on
my friend Lewis, the first vice presi-
dent. l did not need to pretend cool
ness and confidence; my nerves were
still in that curious state of traauuil
eNhilaration, and 1 felt master of my
self and of the situation. Just as
was leaving, in came Tom Langdon
with Sam Ellersly.
Toms face was a laughable exhibit
of embarrassment. Sam-really, l felt
sorry for him. There was no reason
on earth why he shouldn't be with Tom
Langdon: yet he acted as if 1 had
caught him with the goods on him"
He and suffered. clasped
my hand eagerly, dropped it as If it had
stung him: he jerked out q string of
hysterical nonsense, ending with s.
laugh so crazy that the sound of 1t dis
concerted him. Drink was the expla-
nation that drifted through my mind:
but in fact 1 thought little about it,
SO full was l Of other matters.
When is your brother returning?"
said to Tom.
On the next steamer, 1 believe" he
replied. H vent only for the rest and
the bath of sea air." With an effort
he collected himself. drew me aside and
said: Il w you an apology, Mr..
Blackjack. I went to the steamer with
Mowbray to see him off n he asked
me TO tell You about our new dividend
rate-though it vas not to be made
public for some time. Anyhow, he told
me to go straight to you-and frank
ly. l forgot IT." Then, with the win
ming, candid Langdon smile. he added,
ENORMOUSLY: The best excuse in the
world-yet the one nobody ever &C
cepts.'
No apology necessary." said I with
the utmost good nature. I've no per-
sonal interest in Textile. My house
deals on commission only, You know
never on margins for myself. I'm a
panker n broker, not a gambler.
SoHe or our customers were alarmed
by the news of the big increase, and in
sisted on bringing suit to stop it. But
I'm going to urge them now to let the
matter drop"
Tom tried to look natural, and as he
Is an apt pupil of his brothers, he sue
ceeded fairly we'll. His glance, how
wouldn't fix steadily on my gaze.
circled round and round it like a
at an electric light. ITO tell you
the truth" said he, Tn extremely
as to what my brother will say
do-to me, when I tell him. I
hcae no narm came to you through my
forgetfulness."
None in the world" 1 assured him.
Then turned on SAM. What are you
doing down town today?" said l. "2zs
you on your way to see me?"
He flushed With angry shame, read
ing an insinuation into my careless re-
mark. when | had not the remotest in
tention of reminding him that his Gus
tomary object in coming down town
was to play the parasite and the sponge
at my expense l ought to ave guessed
once that there was some good rea-
for his cover of his refined, high
bred, gentlemanly Representatives.:
| was not IN the mood to analyze
trifles, though my nerves We're taking
careful record of them.
"Oh. l was just calling on Tom" he
rather haughtily.
Then Melville himself came In, brush
lng back mis- white tufted burnsides and
licking his lips and blinking his eyes
looking for all the world like a cat at
It's toilet.
ooh! ah. Blacklock,." he exclaimed.
With purring cordiality-and l knew he
had heard of the big deposit l was max
ng. Come into my office on Your way
ou~t-nothing especial-only because it's
always a pleasure to talk With YOU"
CONTINUED Next Week.)