Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-04-17

slowly tore II down It's length.
"Tm sorry. Mr.. Renwyck, but-but !
can't go in"
His companion eyed him critically
FOR a full half minute A moment age
he had volunteered to embark slOo.OS
In the enterprise. and now he would
fain back out. What had changed
him? The fnancier determined to
probe this suspicious circumstance 10
the bottom.
"Why this sudden changer he asked
directly.
well, you see," began Richard,
writhing 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 a dead certain
ty. What more do you wantY
True" agreed Richard sadly. "and
yet
There are no yets," interrupted Mr..
Renwyck. ut is not question Of my
needing money, for | 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. | appreciate
the spirit in which you have tried to
help me. but circumstances render my
acceptance impossible"
Again the financier regarded his e1-
traordinary 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 reasoni'
"Do you mean that" asked Richard,
rising TO his feet
II do"
T "Mr. Renwyck." he said In clear,
level tone which was now free from
any deception. q 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. / shall mention one which is
sufficient, and that is this: You are
about to take advantage of fathers
love for his son. which has removed
an antagonist from the field. Pardon
my speaking plainly. but It strikes me
as being rather unfair business
method. prefer to have nothing more
to do with It."
Richard wanted n good slap at the
INSCRIPTIONS old man and rejoiced in
its delivery II was Mr.. Renwyck's
turn to flush, though the condition was
brought about by anger rather than
shame. He was about TO make a
sharp retort, but checked himself and
asked coldly:
"Why didn't you think OF that when
you offered to take 100000 worth Of
shares7"
"I-I don't know"
"Aht"
"It is sufficient that did think Of It
before the money was paid, isn't itT'
Quceisd Richard, angry at this mono
syllable comment on his irresolution
and vaclllation.
quite" answered Mr.. Renwyck in
his most frigid manner. yet l think
II you understood the circumstances
better. Lord Croyland. perhaps you
would view the matter In a different
light. But every man has right tc
his own opinion, and so, II 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, "and now, II may, will say
good night | regret that have taken
up so much OF your valuable time"
He crossed the library. unlocked the
door and went upstairs without q back
ward glance, while the tnancier sat
looking after him moodily. 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 II into silver ash
tray and, rising. sighed.
Something surprising there. | don't
quite understand Who would have
thought he would have taken it that
way? wonder II that was his real
reason. don't see that I'm to blame
didn't run over the boy. Well, I'd
be Il fool not TO take advantage OF his
fathers absence. Besides, what diff
ference does 1t make? He was goneI
anyway It's a life and death struggle
between us. We used to be good
friends. Is the Englishman right2
wish that-here, here, this won't do
must go to bed at once. cam
make out that Lord Croyland Seem,
as II ia met him-er-what could b,
the matterT
The millionaire paced the door OF hi,
library for a quarter OF an hour ther
set his burglar alarms and went tC
bed.
Richard was equally uneasy. II,
looked az the little pile OF Croylant
mail that had accumulated. includn,
several kilograms. which OF course h,
had not opened and decided 10 take 4
TO the hospital the first thing tomor
row. II was criminal for him to hav,
neglected II and his friend as well
And there were other things he woult
do on the morrow.