The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-04-04
A Reformed Spectator.

nentary on which he had vainly stflv-
en- to concentrate his mind.
That brief observation told the
whole story. He was in love WIN
Nanny Lyon, the prettiest. wltuest'
most winsome creature that ever pc
sieged the heart of lawyer.
Once he had deluded himself with
the thought that Nanny was not alto-
Rether Indifferent to his devotion; Dut
that was before she knew Stanley
Marks, the present object OF MS Jeai-
GUS enmity.
Stanley was a handsome. idle 1ei-
low with more money than ne Kne"
what to do with; Hollis was poor
Flooding yong lawyer, whose cilehts
were few. The contrast was too oDvi-
GUS. Hollis knew that his chance was
q mere spectre, but he would not give
1t up without struggle.
'Money-money-money!" ne saio'
springing ND and pacing his office with
a restless stride. III were not such
a beggar / might hope to win ner.
But, poor as l am, I would have no
right to marry her, even II she were
willing"
In the midst of his bitter medita-
lions the Office door opened. ana IN
walked his friend, George whitney,
who bore the new title Of "stockbrok-
err"
"Halloo, Hollis" was his salutation.
You're just the man l want to see.
You know what told you yesterday!
had private information by wire this
morning. Grain will be 'cornered' this
week, and they are going to run up
the price. What do you say TO JOIN
ing a syndicate to buy half a million
bushels? Future of course. 1t Will
only take a few hundred dollars, and
there's fine spec On the horizon.
What do you say? It's bull market
right straight through
Il haven't the money" Hollis an
swered, with sardonic smile.
Cant you borrow little from
your Uncle Stephen? It's too bad to
let such a chance slip. I'd bet on
rise of 40 cents bushel by the 18TH
Hollis pondered over the matter,
while his friend balanced himself on
the edge Of the desk. and held forth
on the certainty of a golden harvest
in grain speculations.
Here was the very opportunity he
had longed for, the opportunity OF
making handsome little pile in q few
days without working for 1t.
II prices doomed" as George said
they would, he might clear $4,000 by
the middle Of the month, and then
well, I'll see about it," Hollis said
as his friend was leaving. you can
count on me if l can get the money"
He did get it. He had never asked
his Uncle Stephen for loan before.
The old man had confidence in Hol-
lis, and took his note without any en-
dorsement.
Under ordinary circumstances, HOl-
lis, who had very clear ideas Of COM
mercial honor, would not have bor-
rowed the money for such purpose.
He meant to pay it back; still he
knew that his only chance Of ever do
ing SO depended entirely on the fever
ish fluctuation Of the market.
But the thought of Mamie had
numbed his sense of honor.
He put the money in George With
ey's hands. and ventured out upon his
first cruise in the treacherous sea Of
speculation.
Most Of US remember the famous
corner" In the grain market.
A number Of capitalists bought up
thousands of bushels Of grain and
stored them away. cutting short the
supply and bringing about sharp
advance in prices.
It was with this movement that Hol-
lis was In sympathy, by this he pro-
fted.
George Whitney was right. Grain
went up like rocket, and Hollis
cleared his $4,000.
Three weeks had worked a won
drous change in his prospects.
He was no longer a penniless law
yer. He had paid back the money
which he owed his Uncle Stephen, and
with handsome balance in bank he
went to see Mamie Lyon.
It was just after dinner. Mr.. Lyon
vas in the library reading the raper
aloud to his wife and daughter.
How lovely Mamie looked in q soft
pearl-colored cashmere, frightened
with knots of cardinel satin, and how
sweely she smiled upon him.
"Ah! How dye Go, Mr. Craig?' Mr..
Lyon said, kindly. You're quite q