The San Francisco call., 1908-10-11


cally for news of the option getting.
The other was signed *" and Ford
had a sharp attack of JOY when he read
1t. The attorney had been successful
at all points. The necessary stock
majorities were secured and the certifi-
Gates were safely on deposit in the AL
gonquin national bank, in Chicago.
What remained was only matter of
routine, provided the P. SW. bidders
would furnish the capital for the pur-
chases
Ford swamped the local operator at
the next way station with a thick sheaf
OF rush" kilograms, left the westbound
train at the first cross road junction
and caught night express on a fast
line for Chicago. Kenneth was waiting
for him at the hotel. and after break
fast there was another telegram from
Adair. Matters were still progressing
favorably and President Colbrith, trav-
cling in his private car. Nadia" via
the Lake Shore. would be in Chicago
the following morning to take final
action In the stock purchases.
Ford gave the message to Kenneth.
and the attorney drummed softly on the
table with his finger tips when he read
the announcement.
We are in for it now" he said with
a grimace of dismay. IF Mr.. Colbrith
0OOSA- AiAe-AAoe5C ~ QOCSI the WnO4c Ucdl
1t will be because he has suffered a
complete change of heart
Ford answered the grimace with a
scowl and the masterful side of him
came uppermost-
What in the name of common sense
were they thinking of to send him out
here?" he gritted
The general counsel laughed.
You don't know Mr.. Colbrith as well
as 1 do. fancy" he suggested. He
Is rather hard to suppress. He'll be
president until his successor is elected
or nell know all the reasons why"
Kenneth was shrewdly inquisitive. as
his responsibilities constrained him to
De, and 1t was deep in the small hours
when Ford made his escape and went
to bed. By consequence. he was scarce
ly more than half awake the next
morning, when he dressed hurriedIy
and hastened over to the Van Buren
street station to see If the presidents
car had arrived.
Tne Nadia was in and sidetracked.
with sleepy porter on guard. Ford
climbed TO the platform and asked for
the president
Yes. sub; dis is Mr.. Colbrith's cyar;
but he don't see no newspapuh men
no, sub. Besides. dey's just gettin'
up was the rebuff; but Ford ignored
Theyr Then Mr.. colbrith isn't
alone?"
NO. sub; got pahty long with him
"a young gentleman and two ladies;
yes, sub. Mr.. Colbrith nebber goes no.
whahs 'dout he teks a pahty in de
cyar"
"Heavensw groaned Ford, under his
breath; "as If the thing wasn't com
pncated enough without making a pic
mic of it"' Then aloud, II wish to go
IN My name is Ford, and Mr.. CoIbrith
is expecting me-"
There was no one in the large COM
partment when Ford reached it. but a
moment later the door opened and
closed in the vestibule, and Adair made
his appearance Ford drew a breath
of relief and shook hands with his
hacker.
I'm glad it's you. Mr.. Adair I've
been scenting all sorts of hindrances
since the porter told me there was a
party aboard.
The young man without an avoca-
tion dropped into the easiest of the
wicker chairs and felt in his pockets
Tor his cigarette case.
Your prophetic soul didn't deceive
you any,, he laughed. "The hfndrances
are here in full force It is one Of
Uncle Sidney's notions never to travel
without tail like a Highland chief
tain's. 1 had foreboding that he'd
ask somebody, so took it upon myself
to NIL up his passenger list with Aunt
Hetty, my sister, and my uncIe's
nephew"
understand" said Ford and would
have plunged forthwith into the busi-
ness pool; but Adair stopped him with
gesture of dismay
Not before breakfast, if you love
me. my dear fellowr' he protested. with
little grimace that instantly SET the
reminiscent part of Ford's brain at
work. After I've had something to
eat"
The interruption was the noiseIess
entrance of a motherly little lady in
gray, with kindly eyes and a touch of
silver In the fair hair drawn smoothly
back from her forehead.
This Is Mr.. Stuart Ford, I am sure"
she said. giving her hand to the young
engineer before Adair could introduce
him. You look enough like your father
TO make me recognize you at once"
Ford was little embarrassed by the
gratefully informal greeting.
Ought to remember you, Mrs.
Adatr?' he asked ingenuousIy.
"Oh, no, indeed I knew your father
as young man before he married and
went to the farther west The Fords
ana the COlDrlthS and the StanbrOOkS
are all from the same little town in
central Illinois. you know"
'I didn't know it, said Ford, though
now I recall 1T, I used often to hear
my father speak of Miss Hester Stan
brook" Then he was going on to say
that trite thing about the smallness
of the world. when Adair broke In
I'D like TO know what is keeping
Uncle Sidney and Alicia. haven't
had breakfast yet
AS II his protest had evoked her, a
young woman drew the portiere of the
vestibule-a young woman with bright
brown hair. eyes like dewy wood violets
and an adorable chin. Ford stared
helplessly. and Adair laughed.
Shocked. aren't you?" he TESTED. But
you needn't be alarmed. have per-
suaded my sister not to prosecute in
the case of the snatched purse Alicia,
this is Mr.. Stuart Ford. and he desires
me to say that he is not often reduced
to the necessity Of robbing unprotected
young women for the sake of scraping
an acquaintance"
Ford lost sight of the Pacific South
western exigencfes for the moment and
surely the lapse was pardonable. If
the truth. must be told. this young
woman who had been discovered and