The daily tribune., 1909-01-15
PEPPERIc0RE,
PIcKLER

Yes, dad. One must spend money
to get into good society. Gold Is the
key that opens every portal Already,
thanks to Sir Guillaume. have made
many excellent friends
Seems to me, my lad. as he's max.
in pretty pickin' out O. you"
why, he has introduced me to no
end Of first-class people, and II we
join the board of his new company l
shall be certain to meet with raany
more. There is draft OF the pros
pectus. dad" said he, handing the pa
per to his father What do you think
of it?"
We'll, don't know much about
prospectuses an shares an sich things.
Pickles is more In my line
Dad. | wish you wouldn't drag the
shop up at every turn. Your business
was success, and you have a right
to be proud of It. But there is no
reason that your mouth should be al
ways full Of"
Pickles, Ell? Ha. ha, Well, pr'aps
not. But it's natural. after all. to
think of old friends. But let's look
at your prospectus. 'Hyacinths, Lin
ited.' Umph. Sounds pretty we'll
This company is formed 20 take up con.
cessions for the collection OF bulbs
from the battlefields of South Africa
Managing director. Sir Cullen Awks.
leigh"
'Oh. yes; 1t sounds very fine. But
is 1t any good? WIN 1t pay?'
T. n,,ul 81 t.
money in 1t. I've promised to take
1000 shares, dad. and the object OF
the baronets visit is to induce you to
take up a similar number and join the
board. But whichever way you de-
eide, | want you to be especially nice
to Sir Guillaume and his daughter"
you don't mean to say that he's
bringing his daughter here? Ia she
In the bulb business. too?"
Dad, Alicia Is lady. | love her to
distraction, and so will you when you
see her. She is the most beauu
full"
"umph 'Andsome is as 'andsome
does What about your old sweet
heart, Polly! Have you spoke to
Polly? Have you told her of this en-.
gagement?"
"Why-er--no, not yet" said Bob,
uneasily. Il have not had chance" :"
You'll have one of my roses, won't
you, nunky, DEAR" said Polly, entering
| from the garden. "There-isn't 1t a
beauty? But what's the secret?"
why, the fact Is, my dear, said her
uncle, with some hesitation. Bob has
something important to say"
What is 1t. Bob?" she asked; but.
unheeding the pained look upon her
| face he hurried from the room.
In mighty bad humor was Peter Pep
percorn when Bob, accompanied by
| Sir Guillaume and his daughter en-
| tered and said: Let me Introduce
you Alicia-Sir Guillaume--this is my
| father"
THE pictures are nice. amt theyT"
said Peter. Real lie paintin's. every
one of EN-"
THE old mans fool"
by the way. Sir Guillaume, said
Bob, II have already spoken to my
father concerning the bulbs"
| "Ah!" said Peter. "Talkin Of bulbs.
Miss 'Awksleigh. while you're In the
garden. Just make Bob show you our
onions. We've got the nobbiest lot
| Of"
| Onions" said Alicia. with a shud
der. "Malodorous. vulgar abomina
tions."
"Halloa. dad" said Bob, entering
hastily: here you are. Here's wire
for you"
Peter stood with his head slnken
upon his breast and his hands thrust
deep into his breeches pockets
The telegram had read: ''lnterna
tionsl suspended payment. Utter col
lapse"
With a suppressed oath Bob crushed
the telegram in his hand and strode
to the mantelpiece. where he stood
his head resting on his hands. the pic
ture OF despair.
Sir Guillaume gave his daughter a
significant glance. Come. Alicia. my
dear" said he, moving toward the
i door. Il think we had better with
draw"
Ruined! Ruined" cried Bob. a,
he nung himself into a chair
Who's ruined?" asked Polly. enter
Ing at that moment. "Why--Bob-
uncle-what's the matter7"
Read It there" said he. handing her
the crumpled telegram.
Slowly she smoothed II out and read
the fatefu words. Then, brushing the
tears from her eyes. she cried. hope
fully. Never mind. Bob. You are
young: you can make fresh start.
have little money-not mnch-only
81 900 granny left me: but IL Is yours
II you will take it-every penny"
The young man vouchsafed no an
swor. and Polly was turning sadly
away when Peter. crossing TO his sons
side, said: Bob, amt your eyen open
YETI"
yes. dad. they are he cried
springing up. They are, to my owr
fclly. | have been blinded hitherto