The Holbrook news., 1910-02-25
A Man of Business
~O~%@~N~~O


 Thornton took his sweetheart in his arms and tried to kiss away the cloud that had suddenly gathered
 Its father. Dick" Edith said; "he has always said that I must marry a wealthy business man. and you're you're-'
 Not either" added Dick dryly.
 Father had said that he expects MT. Wilding to be my husband"
 ''Wilding?" cried Dick in astonish- ment. Your fathers manager"
 ''Yes, Dick; he Is fathers ideal man of business" replied the girl bitterly.
 That mans not fit to touch you"
 That evening Dick Thornton called on MT. Marsden.
 Mir. Marsden listened cautiously to Dick, though the smile with which he had greeted his visitor slowly faded while Dick spoke
 I'm sorry. Dick. but it's out If the question:" MT. Marsden said
 But We've love each other"
 My dear fellow. you can't live on love. What are you making year?"
 About S300." responded Dick.
 "D'you make 1t all by writing?"
 No. I've got a settled income of s100. I make about s2OO with my writing"
 q see," murmured Marsden. Now I want you to listen to little reason. I'm making anything between s10.000 and e15.000 a year. and I spend some thing like s5,000 year at The Chest nuts. Edith has an allowance of $500 a year. How does your aggregate in come look against that?"
 Then do you refuse to agree to an engagement between Edith and me?" Dick asked.
 q must. Dick. If you were making plenty of money 1t would be a differ ent affair altogether. Come in as often as you like. but. mind. there's to be no lovemaking. Will you stop to din ner to-night?"
 Thanks, replied Thornton. ''I sup pose can see Edith and tell her what you have said?"
 When they entered the dining room they appeared perfectly calm and nat ural. MT. Marsden observed this with pleasure. and was glad that they had taken matters so sensibly.
 MT. Wilding dined with the Mars dens that night.
 How are those negotiations going on for the land, sir? Wilding in- quired.
 Badly. MT. Wilding. The solicitors won't come down an iota from s10,- 0OO."
 The land in question adjoined the factory. Owing to the increase in MT. business 1t was necessary that large extension should be built to the factory. Negotiations for the purchase of the land had been opened with the solicitors, Messrs. Hobbs and McGrath. who were acting for the owner.
 'I reckon the land to be worth about f6.oOO, and I'm willing to pay that" said MT Marsden.
 Why can't you buy a piece of land nt less cost some way away?" said Dick.
 Wllding gazed sneeringly at the speaker. but Mir Marsden only laughed.
 "Ah, Dick" he said, you're a story teller. not a business man."
 How would 1t b. if I went to see .hese solicitors?" asked Wilding. By all means" replied MT Marsden. You may be able to succeed where I | -ailed."
 "I'n go in tomorrow afternoon. hen" Do. and come on here to dinner in | he evening"" said MT. Marsden. will | Tou come. too. Dick?"
 "E shall be delighted" Thornton re- piled.
 The manager and Dick left at the | 'ane time. Their ways lay together. i md for a little while they walked in silence.
 Has MT. Marsden told you that I'm o marry his daughter" WiIding ask Id suddenly.
 'No, he has not
 But he's warned you off"
 Dicks blood famed hot for a mi | nent
 "Oh, don't beat about the bush, the manager said roughly. I asked Mir. Marsden pointblank and le told me-
 Then why ask me?" demanded Dick. -'-I simply wished to add my warn ng, that's all," said Wilding. q saw -ou watching Miss Marsden this even ng just as though she was a bit of elicate china, and Itell you I won't laye it."
 When you have any right to speak s you have done I'll listen to you. But lon't you dare talk to me like that gain or I'll knock you down.
 He turned on his heel and strode