The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-07-06


not very long time. Dick, and papa
are determined-I will marry you, with
or without his consent; although, as
told you, in the latter case the frock
wear may represent all my posses
sions."
That's all right, Maddie," answered
Dick, recklessly; Il will get you lots
! more"
Then she went off to do some shop
| ping while he went to the Stock Ex-
/ change, and had bad time, hampered
as he was by pair Of soft brown eyes
which would intrude themselves upon
him. and for the possession Of which he
was little inclined to wait whole year
Brown eyes are by no means de-
sirable subject for reflection where
bulls" and bear" are rampant; and
Dick, when he returned TO his Office
| and went into his transactions for the
day, was really alarmed at the reckless
nature Of some of them
This sort of thing won't do, any
how he reflected AT this rate, it
won't run to frocks at all, and Mad
die mustn't be done out of them"
The following day was to be por-
tentOus one for Mr.. Keller, and its pOr-
| tentousnes was to reflect in somewhat
sensational fashion on the affairs of
Dick and Madeline.
In the first place, things went wrong
with Mr.. Keller. He was perusing his
paper at breakfast, utterly ignoring the
presence Of his daughter. who was
seated opposite to him, looking the
very incarnation Of sweetness and
daintiness. She was still in his black
books, although the subject of strife
had not again been mentioned.
Suddenly something like very
strong word escaped him. Madeline
put her hands to her ears with the re-
mark:
How 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 a few days
| before. for the purpose of deal and
/ the falling of his premeditated coup"
was calling to his professional pride,
| although he could net reproach him.
self for any laxity, for the concern in
volved had high reputation for sound
ness. The loss of the money was GER
| tainly serious, but the toll of the days
misfortunes was not to 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 a hasty visit to the
| telephone and instructions to his rep
resentative on Change to sell out his
stock in Denver Nugget" Then he:
went lack to his desk, and was about
to resume writing when something
seemed to flash across his III Cd.
He lay back in his chair and pom
dered for few minutes. Then broad
grin appeared on his face.
Great Caesar." he murmured softly;
what a game. AIS fair in love and
war, SO why not?"
A short period of further cogitation,
and then he jumped to his feet.
There is tide in the affairs of men,
which taken at the rood leads on to
Maddie," he remarked, ,cheerfully.
Here goes."
He went to the telephone and rang
up Mr. Kelter's Office.
MIR. Keller in?" he inquired.
Yes" came the answer.
what time does he 60 out?"
Usually about eleven-thirty. Who
is it?"
Never mind; that's all l want to
know"
Once more he called up his man at
the Stock Exchange and certain in
structions followed, the nature OF
which will presently appear. Then he
put on his hat and gloves and saunter-
ed over to Mr.. kelter's office. which was
only few minutes walk from his
own.
He sent in his name by a clerk
What the deuce does he want now,
anyhow" 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:
"Mr Rudford says it is Of the utmost
Importance to you that you should see
him, SIR
"Confound his impudence." said Mr.
Keller irritably. Tell him to" He
paused, struck by the ambiguity OF
Dicks message. Here, show him in,"
he finished testify
Dick, looking particularly smart and
neat, entered with an affable Morning,
Mr.. Kelter." to which that gentleman