The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11

him! The dnancier determined to
probe this suspicious circumstance to
the bottom.
''Why this sudden changer he asked
directly.
''Well, you see," began Richard,
writing inwardly at the falsity of his
position, 1--WE been bitten in deals be-
fore, and while"-
Nonsense" interrupted the old gen.
tleman shortly. ''You can't lose on this.
Why, my dear sir, it's dead certain
ty. What more do you want?'
"True." agreed Richard sadly, land
YETI
There are no yets," interrupted Mr..
Renwyck. 1T is not question Of my
needing money, for l have plenty Of
my own. made you the proposition
simply and solely out Of friendship
and''-
And for that very reason" Richard
cut in, II must decline. I appreciate
the spirit in which you have tried to
help me, but circumstances render my
acceptance IMPOSSIBLE
Again the fnancier regarded his ex-
raordinary young friend critically
through half closed eyes.
Come, Gomez he said bluntly at
last. Don't let's beat about the BUSH
What is your real reason?"
'Do you mean that?" asked Richard
rising to his feet.
II do"
"Mr. Renwyck," he said in a clear,
level tone which was now free from
any deception, brilliant idea coming
to him, the more acceptable in that it
was strictly true, 'you are right. There
are several reasons which we need not
discuss. I shall mention one which is
sufficient and that is this: You are
about to take advantage of a fathers
love for his son, which has removed
an antagonist from the field. Pardon
my speaking plainly, but it strikes me
as being a rather unfair business
method. prefer to have nothing more
to do with it,
Richard wanted a good slap at the
unscrupulous old man and rejoiced in
it's delivery. It was Mr.. Renwyck's
turn to flush, though the condition was
brought about by anger rather than
shame. He was about to make
sharp retort, but checked himself and
asked coldly:
''Why didn't you think of that when
you offered to take 100000 worth of
shares?''
IL don't know"
"Ahv'
1T is sufficient that did think of it
before the money was paid, isn't it?"
Queried Richard, angry at this mono
syllable comment on his irresolution
and vacillation.
"Quite," answered Mr.. Renwyck in
his most frigid manner. yet I think
If you understood the circumstances
better, Lord Croyland, perhaps you
would view the matter in a different
light. But every man has a right to
his own opinion, and so, if you please,
we will say no more about it,
He rose as he spoke to intimate that
the interview was at an end.
"Thank you," shortly returned the
Texan, land now, if may, will say
good night. I regret that have taken
up so much of your valuable time"
He crossed the library, unlocked the
door and went upstairs without back
ward glance, while the fnancier sat
looking after him modify. For many
moments Mr.. Renwyck did not move.
His cigar went out and was held un-
needed between his silent lips till at
last he dropped it into silver ash
tray and, rising, sighed.
"Something surprising there. I don't
quite understand. Who would have
thought he would have taken it that
way? I wonder if that was his real
reason. don't see that I'm to blame.
I didn't run over the boy. Well, I'd
be a fool not to take advantage Of his
fathers absence. Besides, what diff
ference does it make? He was a goner
anyway. It's life and death struggle
between us. We used to be good
friends. Is the Englishman right? I
wish that-here, here, this won't do!
I must go to bed at once. I can't
make out that Lord Croyland. Seems
as if I'd met him-er-what could be
the matter?'
The millionaire paced the floor Of his
library for a quarter Of an hour, then
set his burglar alarms and went to
bed.
Richard was equally uneasy. He
looked at the little pile Of Croyland
mail that had accumulated, including
several kilograms. which of course he
had not opened, and decided to take it
to the hospital the first thing tomor-
row. 1t was criminal for him to have
neglected it and his friend as we'll.
And there were other things he would
do on the morrow.
e
CHAPTER XIV,