Middletown transcript., 1909-05-29

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from her big hat, and looked
searchlngly at him.
He quailed before the piercing
brown eyes. Then suddenly be
dropped on his knees and seized
her hands.
! have never done anything
bad. If I had | would make
amends. I'll do anything you
wish. Don't send me away, don't!
She looked at his emotion torn
face, with half smiling contempt.
This is not acting? You really
want to marry me?
She stood up to avoid the fren-
zied embrace he threatened. He
| grasped her waist.
lido, / do! I'll give you any
thing-do anything I'll give you
fvethousand pounds-ten thous.
and pounds.
She stood looking at him for a
space.
Then return here at this time to
morrow. am going to get proof
of what has been said against Won
# you do not come 1 shall under
stand.
He began an impassioned pro.
test. She stopped him by gently
releasing herself and moving to-
ward the door.
Do you believe meP he asked,
piteously, rising and following
her.
] am disposed to; but 1 have to
convince some one else that you
are not the treacherous creature
she believes.
Who is she?
Lady Boothie. She was pre-
pared, on my representations, to
take a large interest in your CON-
pany, but the inquiries she made
were SO terribly bad against you.
The business man suddenly as.
serted himself over the lover.
I'll take any oath you wish
do any thing you wish that will
convince you.
Imay take you at your word.
she answered, and held out her
hand.
He seized and kissed it.
Tomorrow at this time.
~ ~
It's a good sign that you have
come, she said. Her manner was
more cordial, almost tender.
He sat beside her on the couch,
but did not attempt to touch her.
1must speak plainly, offensive
ly, she began. You won t tobiect9
Go on, say all you wish-as
you wish.
Lady Boothie, as you know, is
my dearest friend. l do nothing
without consulting her. She
knows of your offer to me, but
she suspects You. She says you
are man who will make any pro-
mise to effect your object.
I have been slandered, he inter.
rupted, sadly.
She mistrusts you, and sus.
poets you intentions toward me.
He was on his knees, protest,
ingly tearfully.
How can I prove l am honest ?
Easily. You are a very practi
cal man; she is a practical wo-
man; and this is her proposal:
Make over to me ten thousand
shares in your new company to
hold as a guarantee that you will
marry me within two months.
She spoke with an effort.
I will. You shall have them
tomorrow. In two months they |
will be worth two pounds apiece,
he said jubilantly, and he pro-
ceeded to expatiate on the pro-
spects Of the New Jericho Exten.
sion. But he did not explain
that the shares he purposed |
handling over were vendors
shares, which he had promised |
his co-directors not to place on
the market.
He left her happier than he
had been since her personality
had enthralled him, content to
obey her injunction not to call
until sent for.
Two days later his broker sent
for him in hot haste. The limit
edmarket for New Jericho shares
had fallen to'pieces. The shares
were tumbling TO waste paper
price.
The financial columns Of the
evening papers devoted a few
lines TO the matter. explaining
that the slump had been caused
BY the placing on the market Of 4
large parcel by inside holders.
Next day financial paper had
a damning article on Wildcat