The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-12

Ii, tuc grave, SlicHt JdpdueSc OutIcT, tDuc
u out all but one OF the bulbs in the electrolici
leaving the figure OF the stout who soo
upon the hearth rug in vague, shaded light
The mans attitude showed expectancy, an,
he gave gesture OF satisfaction as the sudden mes
sage OF the doorbclI broke from below stairs
Take look in the mirrors" ne said sharply. Ota
gdcd like frictioniess mechanism through the from
parlor where he openel panel In the wall next the
sntry.
Mr. I.axton.' he announced softly
LET him in,' said the other.
Iaxton followed the lead of the butler like visitor
who knows his way and is assured of his welcome.
He bad taken step inside the parlor before ne
saw the man standing the hearth rug. 1t was
not the he was accustomed find in that apart
mcnt but there something very familiar about
This unexpected occupant about the baggy dress suit
The rumplcd shirt bosom and the cigar clampcd in
The corner of the mouth Hc peered into the shadows
for better look at the face and started when the
stout man spoke.
"Stcp in, Lsxton. Make yourself at home to
stretch point"
Hello said Laxton mechanically Then why
It's Wcldstone What the devil arc you doing here?'
"Nothm," answered the other in harsh unpleas.
ant voice. LESS dropped In
Laxton searched the place with Siiclong glance IT
didn't know that you Inew-that you were acouaint
ed in this house, he finished awlSwardly checking
the name that rose too nimbly 10 bis tongue,
What Burch:' said the stout man. dvining Lax
toms caution, "old side kick Always look him up
every so often"
Laxton hung between surprise and uncasness
There was sign of the masters presence and Otl
had disappeared "wherc is Burchf' he asked
inside" said the stout man. uodding toward the
door of the extension the rear Laxton followed the
move and lowered his tone.
Say, Wcldstone. you needn't tell him about that
Dln hoor bo tl i
Much obliged, Laxton," said the cool voice OF the
master himself aud the stout straighened and
elapped his hands. Ota entered instantly Help me
out OF these things said Burch. Ota followed him
through the rear door and the two left Laxton IN a
state OF pitiable bewildcrment
He had not made much progress toward rscovery
when the master reappeared garbed In his usual i'm
maculate style and adjusting the loose folds of his
'amiliar red dressing gown about his slender power
,ul person. LaXton sank Imply into chair at the
other side of the fireplace while Ota set out the cigars
and the kummel.
"Ls1ton." said Burch gravely after some minutes
silence. you present painful problem TO me- I
I'm compelled to guard you with all the care OF Der.
'onsl attendant You have natural aptitude for
getting into mess from which l must drag you
usually much against your will. Your remarkable
gifts listener 1 appreciate But you cost Inc n
great deal of trouble
What wrong this time?" asked Laxton dog
:edly
''WcdStone-and you have Your answer" said
gurch
What of hing
The Crash in Stocks.
why, fair youth ne and his blessed Investment
company, 10 which You were about 10 tie Your for
nnes, would have wrecked YOU that's all. You are
lar from universal genius, Laxton Stick 10 lines
where your expert knowledge of bookkeeping filing
and Office systems the intricacIes of commercial
paper and handwriting come In. Investment com
panles, promotion schemes. mail order and financial
bureaus open up highly specialized department. of
the profession Approaching them you like
cnrop0dist who essays major surgical operation"
But bad nothing 10 lose" objected Laxton.
Nothing but few years out OF your life" said
the master. iii that is nothing There Is cleverer
operator on the shady fringe of finance in the world
than WedSone And can tell You the names of
at least six men who are accommodating to be
serving prison terms for him. You were on the
books for a like service
Laxton considered the matter sloomiy. Il sup
pose l would he safer II / consulted YOU. But have
always avoided that"
And you were exactly right You Know that
will share Of your until they past aud
then only as matter FOR discussion"
How did you know / going in with Weld
stoney' asked Laxton, after another pause.
AT Your last visit YOU deSeantcd very knowingly
upon certain well established traits of the cstlmable
public In regard to allurins investment offers said
Burcb. With quiet smile For my second point
have seen traces OF Wcdstones padded feet upon the
financial sands of late. Then you were unemployed
ambitious. You would Just about suit hlm in cx-
tremcy useful capacity Acting on all this. obtained
the yeriheation OF my suspicious In the most exped
tious manner BY the way, / must commend your
care in Withholding my dcftly"
Laxton threw UP both hands In a little gesture of
surrender. 'All right, give In" he snd. 'No more
high finance for me. But Weldstone-thereS plnusl.
be devil. il YOU like"
Bureh nodded slowly "It might be of value and In
terest If / should adon this little lecture with an In
stance In which cashcd with the redoubtable Weld
stone" be said. Il do not regard him rs among the
greatest OF my opponents. but can never deny that
tho brush had with him stimulating The man
- 1snnuS, not wholly lacking in qualities and most
-&tAsnbly equipped with unscrupulous brutality
Il MAS passing idle half hour In the corner OF a
downtown cafe one afternoon when heard II sudden
sharp cry and rush of feet from back OF me I
turned to tail. poorly dressed man of middle, ope
halt