The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-25
BULLS OR BEARSp
by OSWALD EASTWOOD.

breakfast When two individuais SO closely akin are
so widely aDar, i their
9ok something of Importance interfere with Tom
something had occurred For the nrst time In her
NE his daughter had deciared-so positively that he
hhew sac meant it-that she wouldn't!
And why should like know" had de-
wa testify. Or, rather why not?" Tom Minivef
Because can't endure him." shs had answered
should oo ana dont knew any good reason why
rspnca OF her masteFtGl father in the Of
An hoshl Regular penny dreadful logic" he had
aeoiared. with wrathful insistence that
the MS x se0d .s
ur Tn with little smile that emphasized hers.
put 1t hadn't the slightest effect on his determine
snncda nave ms OWN way In this business She had
no. 10. oVerruie him in this matter which concerned
MN so vtally By strange mental coincidence Hope
moment - ~
Il don't believe" he resumed tina, you have given
III you know better one pray don't keep it a
Well, l wont--Bob Homer
she flushed percepttbly and began to hustle.
lerrns the coffee from the table sideboard.
an operation entirely unnecessary.
Have hit IT." he persisted maliciously Her back
was toward him, but he could her face in the
sdeboard glass.
~ Mr.. Homer is a man." she said
HOW would You classify Percy Van Alstine?"
AT which she turned around and faced him Even
were naturalist l should hesitate" she replied,
vincing '"A' was ~'1'''' ooi-
De-
Goine , Necessities to you Have you thought of that.
l. admit that Homer is fine fellow. 1 ought to
BOY and now he is practically my manager He's
Keen business man, none shrewder. But he hasn't
anything except his saiaryless than what you spend
Tor gmoracks He must be provided with plenty OF
You could take him into the business" she sug-
gested naiVey Besides he Is going make lot Of
money" ~
How should like to have you tell mey'
AS you do--speculate."
DO you mean to buy and sell risk"
Il never risk anything" he declared savagely II
always see to it beforehand that element Of un-
certainty is eliminated"
We'll cant Mr. Homer mango it the way"
ne rang for his hat and Before he left her.
however he fred parting shot.
Il am quite well bred to say what think h~
declared with air of lofty superiority appealed
Inlnd saying that in view OF opportunities and the
iac that you are my daughter you show ignorance
oi men ana anairs that is coossal-eiephantine.''
1t happened that Van Alstine had accepted an In
vitaton to lunch with Mr.. Miniver on that day AL
effect II was understood by the broker and the young
man whose suit he favored subject Of tho
proposed matrimonial alliance would come up for in
formal discussion AS yet Van Alsne had made no
orokers son-in-law, but he made of fact
that he admired Miss Mniver greatly would prob
ably become a sutton for her hand He had even
mentioned the matter to OF his friends most
OF whom agreed that his amiiy good enough sveL
TO survive an alliance with the Minvers,
To do Van Astine Justice. 1t h admitted that
ne was by no means fragrant example of his type
a. representative OF long transmitted wealth and
FAMILY prestige he really made a fair showing Al
though ne was not Serse to the prospect handling
some or Tom Mnivers winnings In the street he had
real admiration for the brokers' daughter. He
even fancied sometimes that he could decidedly
sTnenlai over her II the opportunity presented it
Van Astine made his appearance at the office Of
tno , orohe ABOUT midday. For him the region
undiscovered country and he not impressed
activity conhlced with his notion of personal expan-
sion and on his passage from his the entrance
OF the office building he had been jostled unmts-
takabiy 1t was positive relief reach Miniver's
Quarters and be given a in the anteroom wntie
tn he dino
a. the spot.
He waited patiently enough at first and then wiz,
growing distaste AL the doors between the small
rooms which comprised the suite open and Van
Aistine dismayed that some Of the din
ana hustle that had assaied him the outside had
followed him Loud voices calling in every
direction, messenger boys We're running hither and
thther and the ineessant clicking Geographic in
struments and rigging of telephone calls his ner-
pous system on edge No one seemed to the
slightest notice of him. and the forced realization of
nus lack of Importance was not agreeable sensa-
After he had waited for what seemed to him q,
unconscionable period Miniver made his appearance
me proksr was IN ms shirt sleeves. at the
wrists cum links dangling He had the uniighted stub
of cigar in his mouth and appeared to be In a sthts
IF intense nervous strain. r.
Awtully sorry to have kept you waiting" he said.
you that Ia have to call that luncheon forgot
all about IT. It's an awful day for They've been
IS hot yet What's that? d and r. O. of another
point Homer get move on and buy everything in
Van AIsttne? How's that? I've sent out for a SAND.
all we've got. Don't keep enough for seeds One or Of
the biggest days I've since came into tina
street. Wha--wha--wha---'
without word of apology explanation Minfyer
made a precipious exit from the room. Somewhere
IN the rear his high pitched continued to real
on orders at a frenzed rate bat Van Alstine no
more OF him that day Just he had yielded o his
not unreasonable Indignation about to leay.
the uncongenial spot Homer entered the room.
Mr. MiniN er wishes apologize for him"
said This ii really of the days the street
mas seen for many years"
is IT so unusual?' queried the other listessy. II
have not been in the neighborhood since / was a
child. but fancied 1t about living up to its
reputation"
Its doing much more than that" laughed Homer
Before closing to-day thereI be than imam
cial shipwreek that will startie the COM
mnnity, Do You ever deal in futures. Mr. Van
Alsne ?"
so far have found the present sufficiently en-
crossing. the visitor admitted, with feeble attempt
at pleasantly. Then he added soberly
suppose MrMniyer Is deeply Interested these snat--
,ers. He seemed to be very greatly disturbed over
something"
isn't 1t enough to rattle any to find out that