The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-11-28
CHAPTER V.
A Meeting of Maidens.


ATHROP stared thoughtfuIIy at
the document in his hand. which
he had signed automatically al
the bidding Of the fnancier-
"Pater." he said, presently, 4 don't
think that you should do this thing
make me partner IN your firm"
why not. sir?'' came the crisp in
Qulry.
well. there are many reasons" the
young man answered, hesitatingly. The
principal one-and II Is sUfhcient-is
that am by no means fit
That IS my concern Trevor de-
oiared, "'and I am quite content. Why,
my dear Morris do you realize what
you have done for me tOday2 You have
saved my Iifel I should never have sur
vived 1t had gone TO the wall In ad-
ditiCn 10 that you have saved my for
tune and Edna's and CarIa's. What 5
far more than all the rest, you have
saved my honor I shall never forget
that The half Of this business is small
recOmpense for such service" .
The broker paused for a moment y
control mis- emotion Then he continued,
In a changed voice. In a week or so L
shall be able 10 return your securities
70 you, Morris. By the way, that re-
minds me Those securities Where IN
the world did you Set hold Of th1m2''
Lathrop started slightly but gave 10
other sign Of his agitation at the CUES
ton
why do you ask that?'' he inquired,
Iazily-
The hnancier smiled compIacentIy.
Oh il is nothing muCn. he se-di
'only that Il happens TO be the best
Joke OF the season. There are men on
the Street az this moment who would
give a fortune 10 know that you are Ia
possession OF this particular stock CT
course. sam MlllInStOn must know that
You see, Morris" he resumed. pres
entity this IS the fact of the matter:
sam Wilmington has been my enemy
time out Of mind it was MS influence
that was pushing me 10 the wall in this
present case when I appealed TO you
Tor help And now, at the psychological
moment you bring me this block Of
stock which every body believes him 10
have locked I'D IN one OF MS sale de-
post vaults II he had ever guessed
the possibility Of such use for IL he
would have burned It ] never dreamed
OF such a thing as that AllingtOn
should let that stock 20 You are
cleverer than I thought you, Norris.
On my word, yeuH make a capital
partner!"
"OhI that brings me back 10 what I
was saying. Lathrop exclaimed
Really, sir. this partnership affair
should not be carried on
But I insist on IT," the financier
cried, holly Besides, my boy, you
have signed so that the thing Is set
tied And, Norris ne added, gently,
Il want YOU here with me"
You said that the agreement was
dated thirty days back LathrOp ask
ed, rehectively-
very well, them" the young man
conceded, after a short pause Let
things go on as they now are for a
month longer II, at the end Of that
I'll M.
here with you I shall be very. very
glad 10 come, sir
Very 8eIi,' Trevor agreed. And
now come with me III drive YOU 10
the club Afterward you must 90 home
TO dinner with me-"
Not tonight, pater,' Lathrop said
TIL ride with you as Tar as the club,
but 7 must leave you there I have
something Of Importance that must
attend To before the day IS done. 7 had
formed plans yesterday which were up
set by Our conversation last night
wrote a letter concerning them TO
very dear friend Of mine, and I fear
that 7 may have caused unnecessary
pain So I must StTaiEhten the mat tier
out without a minute Of needless delay"
Both men were silent during the drive,
and soon after entering the club they
separated Lathrop was absorbed in
thinking OF that complication which he
had forgotten throughout the day In
consequence he did not linger long at
the club, but hurried of TO his apart
ment
As he entered the elevator he was
met by the announcement
There IS a lady waiting for you,
sir
a IadyT' Lathrop repeated. in some
peTPlexity.
the attendant answered She was IN
the reception room for a long time It
IS the same one who was here once be
fore. so I took the liberty Of admitting
her 20 your parlor- She said she must
wait until you came I hope did right,
Sir
''Oh, certainly Lathrop replied He
Roke quietly. but he was excessively
Ghnoyed. nevertheless, and showed L
BY the impatient haste of his stride as
he advanced along the passage TO the
door OF his suite This stood wide open.
and through II. in a far corner. he per-
cefved the form or 4 woman, haif buried
within a huge chair.
The visitor sprang Up as he entered
the room and ran toward him with both
hands eagerly OJltsCTetChed in welcome
There were tears in her eyes her face
vas flushed with the deep emotion %
the moment And that face was tender,
sweet. pathetic, vistful It was very
beautiful, as well, with the dark lowell