Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-02-05
"What?" aUhiSpercd Sclacyn.

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breath. his clinched 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 can't come
and still need me send for me. I'll do
what l can always. know you better
than you know yourself. GOodby."
He turned to the door, and Gerald
burst out: "Why can't you let my
friends alone? liked you before you
began this sort of thingw
Il will let them alone If you will"
said Selwyn, halting. Il can't stand by
and see you exploited and used and
perverted. Will you give me one
chance to talk it over, Gerald"
"No; won'tv' returned Gerald hotly.
) "I'n 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.
81 said l was standing by my
friendsw 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 l
can prevent it, no matter whether peo-
pie say that you're engaged TO her.
''What?" whispered Selwyn, wheel
Ing like flash. The last vestige 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 to
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 or
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 On
the farther side Of big oak table Sci
wyn rose returning the cool, curt nod
"Nlr. Neergard," lie said, sit is not
easy for me to come here after what
| said to you when severed my con-
nectioD with your firm. You have
every reason to be unfriendly toward
me, but | came on the chance that
whatever resentment you may feel will
not prevent you from hearing me out. y
Personal resentment" said Neergard
slowly. never interfcres with my bust.
ness. take ii, of course, that you
have called upon Il business matter
VIII you sit down.
"Ihank you, | have only Il moment
and what | am here for is to ask yOn
as Mr.. Erroll'S friend to use your III
fluence on Mr.. Erroll-eveTy atom of
your intiuence-tO prevent him frOni
running himself financially through his
excuses. / ask you for his familys
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 demand
from him what any trained business
man demands of his associates as well
as of his employees. ! ask this for the
boys sake"
Il am not aware that Gerald re-
quires any interference from me OF
from you either" said Neergard coolly.
"And, as far as that goes, and my
business require no interference either
And believe that settles it."
He touched q button. The man
servant appeared to usher Selwyn out
The latter set his teeth in his under