The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-03-18

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breath, his cllnched hands relaxed. and
he picked up his hat and gloves.
"They are my friends" muttered
Gerald as pale as he. You drove me
into speaking that way"
Perhaps / did. my boy. | don't judge
you. If you ever find you need help
come to me. And If you cant come
and still need me send for me. I'll do
what | can always. know you better
than you know yourself. Goodby."
He turned TO the door, and Gerald
burst out why cant you let my
friends alone? liked you before you
began this sort of tbingr'
II will let them alone II you will"
said Selwyn. haltlng. Il can't stand hy
and see YOU exploited and used and
perverted. VIII you give me one
chance TO talk IL over. Geraldw
mo: won't!' returned Gerald hotly.
"Tll stand for my friends every time!
There's no treachery in me"'
You are not standing by me very
fast" said the elder man gently.
II said | was standing by my
friends" repeated the boy.
every well, Gerald, but it's at the ex-
pense Of your own people, I'm afraid"
That's my business, and you're not
one of EN-" retorted the boy, infuri-
ated, "and you won't be, either, If
can prevent II. no matter whether peo-
pie say that you're engaged to her.
"What?" whispered Selwyn, wheel
Ing like fash The last vestlge OF col
or had fed from his face, and Gerald
caught his breath, almost blinded by
the blaze Of fury In the elder mans
eyes.
Neither spoke again, and after a mo-
ment Selwyn's eyes fell, and he turned
heavily on his heel and walked away.
head bent, gray eyes narrowing 10
Sits.
Yet through the brains chaos and
the hearts loud tumult and the clamor
of pulses run wild at the insult flung
into his very face the grim instinct to
go on persisted, and he went on and on
for her sake-on, he knew not how, un-
til he came to Neergard's apartment In
one of the vast west side constructions
bearing the name of sovereign state,
and here after an interval he followed
his card to Neergard's splendid suit
where manservant received him and
left him seated by a sunny window
overlooking the blossoming foliage OF
the park.
When Neergard came in and stood OH
the farther side of a big oak table Sci.
wyn rose, returning the cool, curt nod
| "Mr. Neergard," he said, at is not
easy for me to come here after what
l said to you when severed my con.
nection with your firm. You have
every reason to be unfriendly toward
me, but | came on the chance that
whatever resentment you may feel viii
not prevent you from hearing me out
personal resentment" said Neergard
slowly, 'never interferes with my bust
have called upon business matter
VIII you sit down"
''Thank you, | have only moment
and what | am here for Is to ask yOr
as Mr.. Errolls friend to use your in
fuence on Mr. Erroll-every atom oI
your infiuence-to prevent him from
running himself financially through hii
excesses. | ask you for his famiy''
sake TO discountenance any more gam
bling, to hold him strictly TO his duties
In your office, to overlook no more
shortcomings of his, but to deman,
from him what any trained busines,
man demands of his associates as wei
as Of his employees. | ask this for tn,
boys sake"
II am not aware that Gerald re
quires any interference from me o
from you either" said Neergard coolly
"And, as far as that goes, l and my
business require no interference either
And believe that settles It,"
He touched a button. The man
servant appeared to usher Selwyn out
The latter set his teeth In his unde
lip and looked straight and hard a
Neergard, but Neergard thrust boil
hands In his pockets, turned squarel!
on his heel and sauntered out of th'
room, yawning as he went.
1t bid fair TO become hard day TO
Selwyn. He foresaw II, for there wa
more for him 10 do, and the day wa
far from ended, and his self restrain
was nearly exhausted.
ITO be COntinued.)
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