Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-05-02
LANepoN AT HOME.

6HINO6SN NJ FISMCs s
entered, with an amused glance at
the butler, who was giving over his
heavy countenance to a delightful ex-
hibition of disgust and discontinue.
1t was Langdon's sitting room. He
had had the carved antique oak in
terror of a room in an old French pal
ace torn out and transported to New
York and set up for him. | had made
a study of that sort of thing, and at
Dawn Hill had done something toward
realizing my own ideas of the splen-
did. But a glance showed me that l
was far surpassed. What l had done
seemed in comparison like the compo-
sition of a school boy beside an essay
by Goldsmith or Hazlitt.
And in the midst of this quiet splen-
dor sat, or rather ~lounged, Langdon,
reading the newspapers. He was
dressed in a dark blue velvet house
suit with facings and cords of blue
silk a shade or so lighter than the
suit. had always thought him hand
some; he looked now like a god. He
was smoking a cigarette in an orien-
tai holder nearly a foot long; but the
air of the room, SO perfect was the
ventilation, instead of being scented
with tobacco, had the odor of some
fresh, clean, slightly saline perfume.
think what was in my mind must
have shown in my face, must have
subtly fattered him, for, when I
looked at him, he was giving me a
look of genuine friendly kindness.
"This is-perfect, Langdon," said |.
And | think I'm a judge"
"Glad you like It," said he, trying to
dissemble his satisfaction in so strong
ly impressing me.
"You must take me through your
house sometime" | went on. I'm go
ing to build soon. No-don't be afraid
I'll initiate. I'm too vain for that. But
I want suggestions. I'm not ashamed
to go to school to a m%aster-to any
body, for that matter"
Why do you build?' said he. "A
town house is a nuisance. If I could
induce my wife to take the children to
the country to live, I'd dispose of
this"
That's 1.-THE wife," said l.
But you have no wife. At
least"
NO" replied with a laugh. Not
yet. But I'm going to have"
Suddenly my mind reverted to my
business. How do you account for
the steadiness of textile, Langdon?"
asked, returning to the carved sitting
room and trying to put those sur
roundings out of my mind.
Il don't account for it," was his
languid, uninterested reply.
ANY Of your people under the mar
ket?"
1T isn't to my interest to have 1t
supported, is it?' he replied.
Il know that I admitted. But why
doesn't it dropT
"Those letters of yours may have
overeducated the public in conf
dence," suggested he. "Your follow
ers have the habit of believing implic-
lilly whatever you say"
"Yes, but l haven't written a line
about textile for nearly a month now
/ pretended to object, my vanity fairly
purring with pleasure.
That's the only eason I can give"
said he.
you are sure none of your people
is supporting the stock?" | asked, as
a form and not for information; for |
thought | knew they WEREN'T trust
ed him to have seen to that.
I'D like to get my holdings back"
said he. Il can't buy until it's down.
And | know none Of my people would
dare support It,"
We'll, then, the price must break"
said /. 1T won't be many days be-
fore the public begins to realize that
there isn't anybody under Textile"
mo sharp break!" he said careless
ly. mo PANEL"
"Ill see to that replied |, with not
q shadow Of a notion Of the subtlety
behind his warning.
I hope it will break soon,' he then
said, adding In his friendliest voice
with what ! now know was malignant
treachery: you owe 1t to me to bring
it down" That meant that he wished
me to increase my already FAR too
heavy and dangerous line OF shorts.
HN - aL.- /. -~-4.-L - D.. f--n-L