The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-11-26


ident of the Omega Company"
/ turned sick with despair at these
words so gently said, and a pang of
jealously. tinged with wonder, shot
through me. Surely she can't be in
love with that red-faced brute We
fought with in the Omega Office" l
thought. Luella saw my distress as l
tried to rise and fly from the place.
Don't CO." she said gently. What
are you going to do with your men?"
The free companions are to be dis.
banded" l said, recovering myself
with gulp.
And you, Mr.. Dudley?"
This question struck me a little
blank. had really not thought of
what | was going to do.
It's another case of an occupation
gone" | said rather ruefully. with
the breakup of the plots and the close
of the Omega deal am at the end of
my employments."
With this view of the question be.
fore me, fell into a panic of regrets
and began to blush furiously at my
folly in imagining for an instant that
Luella could think of me for a hus.
band.
NO, said Luella thoughtfully. You
are just at the beginning"
The tone, even more than the words,
braced my nerves, and once more
there glowed within me a generous
courage of the future.
You are right. | thank you," l said
feelingly. Il have faith in the oppor.
tunities."
And | have faith" said Luella.
Then she stopped.
In the man, hope" ventured.
Luella did not answer, but she gave
me a look that meant more than
words. | was a trifle bewildered,
wondering where | stood in the eyes
of this capricious young woman, but
my speculations were cut short by the
coming of Mrs. Knapp.
There was no reservation in her
greeting. AS we talked over the |
events of the month, | found nothing |
left of the silent opposition with which |
she had watched my growing friend.
ship with the daughter of the house. |
At last she cried:
oh. had almost forgotten. Mr.. |
Knapp wishes to see you in his room
before you 60"
Il am at his service" / said, and |
went at once to the den of the Wolf.
"Ah, Wilton, I find you're not Will
tom he grOWled amiably. The loss
of his brother had not affected his
spirits.
quite true" | said
You needn't explain" he said. "The
women folks say it's all right, though
don't quite understand it myself"
Il can tell you the story l said.
Il don't want to hear it" he growled.
I've tried you, and that's enough for
me-"
| murmured my appreciation and
thanks for his good opinion.
The Wolf waved his hand as a dis.
)osal of all Acknowledgements, and
5rowled again:
Have you any engagements that
would keep you from taking the place
If president of the Omega Company"
I fell back on the chair, speechless
"There'll be a good salary" he con.
inued. We'll, Of course, you needn't
1e in a hurry to accept. Take day
o think over it if you like"
The Wolf actually smiled.
"Oh, | don't need any time"
sasped. "I'l take it now"
well, you'll have to wait till the di,
ectors meet he said.
| gave him my hearty thanks for the
lnlooked-for favor.
ITO tell you the truth" he said, 'it
vas the doing of the women folks"
My heart gave a leap at the an
for it carried a great
eal more with than Doddridge Knapp
new.
Il am thousand times obliged to
uu-and the ladies' | said.
We'll, | wasn't unwilling" he said
nGulgently. In fact, intended to dc
umething handsome for you. But
here's one condition must make"
l looked my inquiry.
You must not speculate. You
aven't got the head for it."
Thank you," l said III keep out
Xcept under your orders"
Right" he said. You've the best
cad for carrying out orders l ever
Dund."
The King of the Street waved me
ood night, and l went back to the
arlor
Luella was sitting where l had left
er, and no one else was about. She {
as looking demurely down and did
OF glance up till l was beside her. {
Il have won double prize" said
am the president of Omega"
And | stopped and kissed her.
THE END.
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