Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1909-01-06
PIP G.,G33.-.a,
PIlah.. ....R

~ get lutO SOOu sOCiSty, bplA - ny
key that opens every portal Already.
thanks 10 Sir Guillaume. / have made
many excellent friends"
Seems TO me, my lad, as he's max
in pretty picllln' out o. u"
why, he has introduced me to no
end of first-class people. and If We
join the board of his new company
shall be certain to meet with many
! more. There is a draft of the pros
pectus, dad said he, handing the pa
per his father. what do you think
of i; 2"
Well don't know much about
prospectuses an shares an SIGH things.
Pickles is mere in my line"
dad, l wish you wouldn't drag the
shop up al every turn. Your business
was success. and you have a right
&c be proud of it. But there Is no
reason that your mouth should be al.
ways full Of"
Pickles, Ell? Ha, ha! Well. p'raps
not But it's natural, after all, to
think of old friends. But let's look
at your prospectus. 'Hyacinths. Linz
ited.' Umph! Sounds pretty well.
This company is formed to take up con-
cessions for the collection of bulbs
from the battlefields of South Africa.
Managing director, Sir Cullen Awks-
leigh"
ooh, yes; 1t sounds very fine. But
is 1t any good? viii it pay?"
"Sir Guillaume assures me there is
money in 1t. I've promised to take
1000 shares, dad, and the object OF
the baronet's 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? Is 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 beauti-
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-isnt 1t
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 it, Bob" she Asked but.
unheeding the panied 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 theyr
said Peter. Real lie paintins, every
one of EN-"
THE old mans fool"
by the way, Sir Guillaume, said
Bob, Il 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 q shud-
der. "Malodorous, vulgar abomina-
tons"
"Halloa, dad!" said Bob, entering
hastily; here you are. Here's wire
for you.'
Peter stood with his head sunken
upon his breast and his hands thrust
deep into his breaches pockets.
The telegram had read: "InternAr
uonal suspended payment. Utter col,
lapse"
With a suppressed oath Bob crushed
the telegram In his hand and strobe
to the mantelpiece, where he stood.
his head resting on his hands. the pic.
ture Of despair.
Sir Guillaume gave his daughter Q
significant glance. "Come, Alicia. my
dear" said he. moving toward the
door. II think we had better with
draw" - ~
Ruined! Ruined!" cried Bob. as
he flung himself into chair.
who's ruinedf" asked Folly, enter
ing at that moment ''Why-Bob-
uncle-what's the matter?"
Read It there" said he. handing her
the crumpled telegram.
Slowly she smoothed II out and read
the fateful words. Then, brushing the
tears from her eyes, she cried, hope
fully. Never mind. Bob. You are
young; you can make fresh start.
have q little money-not much-only
81, 900 granny left me; but 1t is yours
II you will take it-every penny"
The young man veuchsafed no an
swer, and Polly was turning sadly
away when Peter. crossing to his sons
side. said: Bob. amt your eyes open
YETI"
T yes. dad, they are," he. cried,
Swinging up. They are, to my own
fclly.. have been blinded Hitherto
dazzled by outward show. Polly, dear,
can YOU forgive me?"