The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-17


pour bankers"
and its crushing effect upon his ia
TIERS plans. Then, too, his fathers
grief was cutting him to the heart. 1t
touched him to the quick; it gripped
his conscience with q burning wise.
He had come north on his fathers
business, although not primarily for
this deep water harbor scheme, Of
which he had known little or nothing,
and now he was masquerading under
a false name and title for his own
pleasure. He must perforce be help
less onlooker while enemies forged
shaft out of parental love and with it
pierced the heart and brought about
the ruin of his dear old dad. 1t was
unbearable, impossible, yet what could
he do?
What would happen when Bill Will
llams arrived? He, the hapless son,
seemed to be in some way responsible
for the whole wretched tangle, yet hon.
or barred him from interposing hand
to prevent the catastrophe. Seek 1t
where he would, there seemed no loop
hole Of escape to be found. Perhaps
If he could see Mr.. Corrigan he could
get advice; but, no, that gentleman had
already declined to help him, telling
him he must brazen 1t out on his own
account BraZen it out? Yes, but
how? Brass counted for nothing now,
Reason did point to one possible course
to hedge on the winning side and
save what he could for his father out
Of the wreck, and at this possibility the
young man grasped as a drowning
man reaches for a straw.
"Mr. Renwyck," he said, with q
mighty effort to hide his agitation,
just $100,000'-his own private fortune
from his mother-"in bank. I should
like to place it in your enterprise"
The financier started.
"Well," he parleyed, "that is rather
a larger amount than had thought of
handling for you. Still, a promise is
promise. Write me your check, Croy
land, and I'll bring out your stock GER
tificates tomorrow evening"
The name "Croyland" came to Rich
ard like a blow between the eyes. In
his intense excitement he had almost
forgotten that he was another man.
He could not use the earl's name for
this purpose, Of course, yet to sign
Richard Williams to a check payable
to Jacob Renwyck would be to confess
all. AS well wave a red flag in the
face of furious bull. Again he was
experiencing the results Of folly, but
this time it contained no elements of
humor whatever He was in for it-a
maverick surrounded on every side by
whirling lariats. and soon a sizzling
branding iron would burn its everlast-
ing mark upon his hide.
"Mr. Renwyck." he faltered, desper-
ately casting about for some practical
BILE retreat from his dilemma, but In
vain, ~ fear, after all, that l won't
be able toto go on with you. My
bankers-er''-
The Spectator looked puzzled.
"Ah," he exclaimed, 81 think can
appreciate your difficulty. You doubt
less bank in England, but that will not
trouble us, imagine" He opened
desk drawer and produced a pad of
blank forms. "These are foreign
drafts. Draw on your bankers at sight,
and 1 will negotiate the paper through
my own account and let you know the
amount Of exchange. You see" he
laughed, II am forcing you into for
tune. as 1t were. Really, ought to
charge you a commission"
The Texan took the blank draft
handed to him. held 1t moment. then
slowly tore 1t down its length.
"T'm sorry, Mr.. Renwyck, but-but
can't go In"
His companion eyed hiin critically
for full half minute. A moment ago
he had volunteered to embark 100000
In the enterprise, and now he would
fam back out. What had changed