The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-08-02

mo bad news?' he said. "Mor-
lands is safe, of course"
We'll" said Burtenshaw, there
is run upon our bank--a severe
one. We could not hope to escape
the effects Of the panic"
He then, after an uneasy pause,
added, II am requested by the
other directors to assure you it is
their present extremity alone, that
in short, we are compelled to
beg you to repay the amount ad-
vanced to you by the bank"
Wardlaw showed no alarm, but
great surprise.
The G81,000," said he. why,
that advance was upon the freight
| OF the PrOsperine-45,0 900 ounces of
gold. She ought to be here by this
time. She Is in the channel at this
moment, no doubt"
Excuse me, she is overdue and
the underwriters uneasy. l have
made inquiries"
"At any rate, she is fully insured
and you hold the policies. Besides
the name of :. Wardlaw on your
books should stand for bullion"
Burtenshaw shook his head.
Names are at discount today, sir.
We can't pay you down on the
counter"
Wardlaw rose, to intimate he had
no more to say.
Burtenshaw, however, was not
disposed to go without some clear
understanding. MAY say we shall
hear from you, sir?"
yes"
And so they wished each other
good morning.
Morland's suspension, on account
of money lost by Wardlaw & Son,
would at once bring old Wardlaw
to London, and the affairs of the
firm would be investigated and the
sons false system of bookkeeping
be discovered.
He sat stupefied awhile, then put
on his hat and rushed to his solicit
tor. On the way he fell in with
great talker, who told him there
was a rumor the Shannon was lost
in the Pacific.
At this he nearly tainted, and his
friend took him back to his office
in deplorable condition. While he
sat thus, in stupor of fear and
grief, he heard a well known voice
in the outer office, and next after
Burtenshaw's it was the one that
caused him the most apprehension.
1t was his fathers.
Wardlaw, ST., rarely visited the
office now, and this was not his
hour. So Arthur knew something
extraordinary had brought him up
to town.
Wardlaw, ST., entered.
Good morning, Arthur" said he.
1--WE got good news for YOU"
Good news-for me?'
"Ay, glorious news! Haven't you
been anxious about the Shannon?
have; more anxious than l would
own"
Arthur started up. "The Shan
non! God bless you, father"
"She lies at anchor in the Mer-
sey. Why. the Rollestons will be
in London at 2:15. See, here is
his telegram.
mot a word from her!"
ooh, there was no time to write;
and ladies do not use the tele-
gram" He added, slyly: per
haps she thought coming in per-
son would do as we'll, or better,
eh?"
Just then Michael looked in, and
said, Gentlemen, such an arrival!
Here is Miss Rouse's sweetheart,
that she dreamed was drowned"
What! Wylie! Joseph Wylie?"
cried Arthur.
What is that?" cried Wardlaw,
sr. The Proserpine; show him in
at once"
Arthur Wardlaw for obvious rea-
sons did not want his father and
this sailor to exchange a word to-
gether. However, that was newt
able now. The door opened and the
sturdy figure of Wylie came SLOUGH
ing in.
Arthur went hastily to meet him
and gave him an expressive look of
warming while he welcomed him.
Glad to see you safe home"
said Wardlaw senior.
Thank We, guv1nor," said Wylie.
Had squeak for 1t, this time"
Where is your ship?"
Wylie shook his head sorrowful-
ly. Bottom of the Pacific"
Good heavens! What! Is she
lost?"
"That she is, sir. Foundered at
sea 1900 miles from the Horn, and
more"
And the freight? the gold?" put
in Arthur, with well feigned anx
iety.
mot an ounce saved" said Wy
lie, disconsolately. "A hundred
and sixty thousand pounds gone to
the bottom"
Good heavens!"
Eye see, SIR" said Wylie, "the
ship encountered one gale after an.
other and labored a good deal, first
and last, and we all say her seams
must have opened; for We never
could find the leak that sunk her."
and he cast a meaning glance at
Arthur Wardlaw.
mo matter how it happened"
said the old merchant. Are we in
sured to the full? that is the first
question"
ITO the last shilling
well done, Arthur"
But still 1t Is mostly unlucky.
Some weeks must elapse before the