The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-10

transactions for the day, was really alarmed
at the reckless nature Of some of them.
'This sort of thing won do, anyhow y
he reflected. cat this rate, it won t run
to frocks at all, and Maddie mustn't be
done out of them
The following day was to be porten-
tous one for Mr.. Kelter, and its porten
tousness was to reflect in somewhat sensa-
tional fashion on the affairs of Dick and
Madeline.
In the first place, things went wrong
with Mr. Kelter. He was perusing his
paper at breakfast, utterly ignoring the
presence of his daughter, who was seated
opposite to him, looking the very inearna-
tion of sweetness and daintiness. She
was still in his black books, although the
subject of strife had not again been men
toned.
Suddenly something like very strong
word escaped him. Madeline put her
hand to her ears with the remark:
Chow dreadful, papa! What is the
matter?'
Her query was treated with disdain.
The fact was, company in which he was
interested to the extent of sixty thousand
dollars had gone to smash in an utterly
unexpected manner. He had acquired
the stock only few days before, for the
purpose of "deal,' and the failing of his
premeditated 'coup'' was CALLING to his
professional pride, although he could not
reproach himself for any laxity, for the
concern involved had high reputation for
soundness. The loss of the money was
certainly serious, but the toll of the days
misfortunes was not to an end there.
Dick Rudford, shortly after arriving at
his office, was handed a telegram in his
private cipher. He translated it, and the
result was hasty visit to the telephone
and instructions to his representative on
Change to sell out his stock in 'Denver
Nugget" Then he went back to his desk,
and was about to resume writing when
something seemed to flash across his mind.
He lay back in his chair and pondered
for few minutes. Then broad grin
appeared on his face.
"Great Caesarp' he murmured softly;
stwhat game! Ais fair in love and war,
so why not p
A short period of further cogitation,
and then he jumped to his feet.
"There is a tide in the affairs Of men,
which taken at the food leads on to-Mad-
die,' he remarked, cheerfully. "Here
goes!'
He went to the telephone and rang up
Mr.. Kelter's Office.
"Mr. Kelter in p he inquired.
eyes" came the answer.
"What time does he go out ?
Casually about eleven-thirty. Who is
it p
"Never mind; that's all I want to
know"
Once more he called up his man at the
Stock Exchange and certain instructions
followed, the nature of which will presently
appear. Then he put on his hat and gloves
and sauntered over to Mr.. Kelter's Office,
which was only few minutes walk from
his own.
He sent in his name by clerk.
s.What the deuce does he want now,
anyhow p muttered Mr.. Kelter, who
was not in the sweetest of moods that
morning, and promptly sent back word
that he was busy and could not see him.
The clerk returned with a message:
ssMr. Rudford says it is Of the utmost i'm
portance to you that you should see him,
sir
"Confound his impudence!' said Mr..
Kelter irritably. '"Tell him to-" He
paused, struck by the ambiguity of Dick s
message. sHere, show him in,'' he fin
ished testify.
Dick, looking particularly smart and
neat, entered with an affable "Morning,
Mr.. Kelter,'' to which that gentleman
responded with grunt.
His visitor seated himself without invi-
tation and proceeded deliberately to draw
off his gloves, Mr.. Kelter watching the
process with i'll concealed impatience.
"Well," he said at last, brusquely,
'swhat is your business p
'May I ask, Mr.. Kelter, what time
you make it by your watch p
Kelter stared at him, doubling whether
he heard Alright, and, if SO, whether Dick
had taken leave of his senses.
''I presume, he replied, "you did not
come here to ask idiotic questions"
"Well, to come to the point, make
the time eleven-twenty. At eleven thirty
you stand to lose one hundred thousand
dollars
"When you condescend to explain per-