The San Francisco call., 1910-04-03

III
tin board in the corridor of the Wampum
N club. And he stood with fixed gaze and
expressionless hard set face, he trying
70 adjust himself to the vital blow he had suffered
within the hour. Ralph Milton walked the length
Of the gold and marble hall and halted his side
without attracting his attention
Well what proft?" asked Milton, after waiting
vainy for some sign of recognition. Looking for
money or trouble:" The Virginian turned an abb
stracted glance upon the other and nodded
why duplicate your terms? As a matter of fact,
my SON., he said, languidly, 1--WE been this spot
for some IS minutes and l haven't read single
notice that board yet"
Good said Milton, who all of six months
younger than Carter. you mean you've actually
discovered way of passing quarter OF hour
without the slightest exerton OF any kind Oh, hap
piness Let in on it. old man. he added whim-
sicaliy, initiating the Virgnians pose and steady
stare
No go, Carteret,' he yawned, after moment.
you've kept back part OF the formula All l can
is lot OF confounded notices of governors
meetings and lost scarfpins and watch fobs 1 say,
1t looks as if every one had been sowing the place
with articles of personal adornment doesn't it?
There's a suggestion, now. Perhaps might
obtain some amusement from that"
are you really hard put it for means OF
distractions" asked Carter, with smile
Desperately. Do you know, l haven't been in
thought it would be beastIy dull to come into
fortune" II shrugged his shoulders with an air of
WEAKNESS that brought a deeper to Carter's
lips
Have you been watching he ticker today" asked
the Nirginian suddenly.
Good heavens, no! Why should l."
Slate Mountain is off % points
I'm afraid / don't know the signals" said Nit
shaking his head Ought that to interest me?"
well. you're worth about $3OOOOOO less this
afternoon than You were last night
Really exclaimed the other That's grateful
news"
THE VIRGINIANS DECLARATION
Unfortunately | can't adopt your refreshing and
wholly admirable attitude toward the matter" re-
turned Carter quietly. 1t happens that about all
possess is wrapped up in neat packages OF Slate
Mountain securities The thought that held me be-
fore this fascinating board how soon my name
would appear there dropped from membership
for ponpayment of dues"
By Jove, do you mean you're wiped out?"
Practically" Carter paused to light cigarette
you viii observe that the whole thing is most an
noying. I had passed my days of speculation and
with every virtuous intention l planted my modest
competence in Slate Mountain as safe and conser-
vative place Of storage. Whereupon forswore the
pursuit OF fortune and accepted nay dividends with
tranquil mind. And this is my reward"
And you take it as coolly as thatw Ralph
looked his friend with abject envy and adira-
ton. Such nerve and poise in the face of disaster
awed him little and completely captured and dom
mated his errant imagination. He thrust out hand
impulsively Let me help, won't you, Carteret? You
say I'm involved, too. I'm glad of it. Perhaps we
can do something together"
Thanks old man." said Carter simply, dropping
his tone of easy banter and returning the clasp The
loss he had suffered fully as severe as he had
given Milton to understand. Without warning he
had found himself hamstrung. Affairs had gone we'll
with him of late His membership in the Wampum
had placed official seal upon his social as
piratons. And suddenly his secure seat sank
beneath him and he must fight again for that first of
all essentials to his purpose, the money with which
TO live his part
He sought out Gatz- Brown, the shrewd financier
who had helped him out of more than one tight
corner, that evening and pressed him for some hint
as the situation Gatz-Brown chuckled in all his
round little person at the request
@NNby don't you see Vebbe He lives here at the
nampum"
Its official information I want. I'd like to
know what they're saying thinking about this
move in Slate Mountain"
sTwo very different things. Most of EN- say it's
another attack by Granson. Heard of the old feud
between Granson and Vebbe, haven't you? He's
hammering it, 1 guess"
What kind of man is Vebbe?" asked the Vir-
ginian
Big man Succeeded his father as president of
the Slate Mountain. Diogenes of the street"
q suppose Granson could make his attack pay?"
PAY? Ha-hal | should guess. Slate Mountain is
parallel and competing road TO of his pet
tures. If he could get it he'd wiring the substance