The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-20

up Ou tHe tclepuOuS, ahu, 40 ShoWBSSh-
fed young mans usual rising hour was
notoriously nearer noon than 8 o'clock,
it surprised Selwyn to be asked to re-
main In his rooms for little while un-
til Draymore and one or two friends
could call on him personally concern
ing matter of Importance.
First there was Percy Draymore,
overgroomed for a gentleman, fat, good
humored aad fashionable-one Of the
famous Draymore family noted solely
for their money and their tight grip on
1t; then came Sanxon Orchil, the ia
NOUS banker and promoter, small, ur-
bane, dark, with that rich, almost ori-
entail, coloring which he may have in
herited from his Cordova ancestors,
who found 1t necessary to dehumanize
their names when Rome offered them
the choice, with immediate eternity as
alternative.
Then came a fox faced young man,
Phoenix Notify, elegant arbiter Of all
pertaining to polo and the hunt-slim
legged, hatchet faced and more pro-
sentable in the saddle than out Of It.
He was followed by Bradley Harmon,
with his washed out coloring Of con-
sumptive Swede and his corn colored
beard, and, looming in the rear like an
amlable brontosaurus, George Fame,
whose swaying neck carried his head
as a camel carries his, nodding as he
walks.
1--WE heard last night" said Dray-
more, chow that fellow-how Neer-
gard had been tampering with our
farmers-what underhand tricks he
has been playing us, and frankly ad-
NIT to you that we're a worried lot Of
near sports. That's what this dismal
matinee signifies, and we've come to
ask you what 1t all really means"
"Why did you not call ON Mr.. Neer-
gard?" asked Selwyn coolly. Yet he
was taken completely by surprise, for
he did not know that Neergard had
gone ahead and secured options on his
own responsibility, which practically
amounted to violation of the truce
between them. II know nothing about
It. did not know that Mr.. Neergard
had acquired control of the property.
l don't know what he means to do
with it. And, gentlemen, may ask
why you feel at liberty to come to me
instead of going to Mr.. Neergard"
"a desire to deal with one of our
own kind, 1 suppose" returned Dray-
more bluntly. And, for that matter"
he said, turning to the others, I'VE
might have known that Captain Sell
wyn could have had no hand in and no
knowledge of such an underbred and
dirty
Harmon plucked him by the sleeve,
but Draymore shook him off, his little
piggish eyes sparkling
What do l care?" he sneered, losing
his temper. Were in the clutches Of
Il vulgar, skinfiint Dutchman, and he'll
wiring us dry whether or not we curse
him out. Didn't l tell you that Philip
Selwyn had nothing to do with it? If
he had, and was wrong, our journey
here might as well have been made to
Neergard's office, for any man who
will do such a filthy thing
"One moment, Draymorc," cut in Sell
wyn, and his voice rang unpieasantly.
IF you are simply complaining be-
cause you have been outwitted, go
ahead, but if you think there has been
any really dirty business in this mat
ter go to Mr.. Neergard. Otherwise, be-
ing his associate, 1 shall not only de-
cline to listen, but also ask you to
leave my apartments"
Captain Selwyn is perfectly right"
observed Orchil coolly. do you think,
Draymore, that it is very good taste
in you to come into a mans place and
begin slanging and cursing member
of his firm for crooked work?"
Resides" added Notify, "1ts not
crooked; it's only contemplate" And
to Selwyn, who had been restlessly fac
ing first one, then another: 1--WE came
it was the idea of several among us
to put the matter up to you, which
was rather foolish, because you couldn't
have engineered the thing and remain
ed what we know you to be. So"-
"Waitw said Selwyn brusquely. "I
do not admit for one moment that there
is anything dishonorable in this deal,
nor do l accept your right to question
1t from that standpoint, because l
personally have not chosen to engage
in matters of his-ah-description, is
no reason for condemning the deal or
its method"
Every reason!' said Orchil, laughing
cordially. Every reason, Captain Sell
wyn. Thank you; we know now exactly
where We stand. 1t was very good of
you to let us come, and I'm sorry some
of us had the bad taste to show any
temper"
HE means me-" added Draymore,
offering his hand; 'goodby, Captain
Selwyn. 1 dare say we are up against
1t hard"
Because we've got to buy in that
property or close up the Siowitha,"
added Notify, coming over to make his
adieus. by the way, Selwyn, you
ought to be one of us In the Siowitha."
THANK you, but isn't this rather an
awkward time to suggest it?" said Sell
wyn good humoredly.
Fame burst into q sonorous laugh and
wagged his neck, saying: mot at all!
| Not at ALL Your reward for having