The Washington herald., 1911-12-31
CONSPIRACY OF
WALL STREET ::

late then to take the steps that should
be taken now. Our rivals will have
grown too far for us to overtake them.
Don't you see, father, that the real big
men of the street will crowd us little
millionaires out of existence if we
don't"
He stopped abruptly as Isabel fioated
into the room. She had been dining at
the Darwins with Catherine and her hus-
band. The two young women had been
almost inseparable from their school
days, and they had not permitted the
marriage of one to make much differ
ence.
Hello, Bella" said her brother. as she
settled on the arm of her fathers chair
and rumpled his white hair. What
brings you home so early?"
Mr.. Darwin had to go to Washington
tonight, and Catherine came over with
me TO spend a couple of days until he
comes back she explained. She's up
stairs taking off her things now. She'll
be down presently, and We'll have a game
of bridge
A shade Of annoyance passed over her
brothers handsome face, and he turned
again to the fire to conceal 1t. He re-
scented the interruption for two reasons.
The most important one was chat he was
anxious to have the final argument with
his father, and the second was more per-
sonal He had never attempted tc con-
ceal from himself that he still loved
Catherine. He had never heard of an
Eastern proverb which says: He who
hath forfeited a treasure doeth not well
to look upon it," but he felt that way
lnstinctively.
His father looked up at him as If to
take his cue from his son.
See here, Bella" Wilbur began hur-
riedly. with note Of apology in his tone,
father and I are having a most i'm
portant business talk, and We really can't
stop for bridge whist-.not even to enter
tain you-and Kate"
The girl sprang off the arm Of the
chair with a little burst of petulance.
Business! Business! It's always bust
ness!" she exclaimed why can't you
conf1ne your business to business hours,
Wilbur? Don't you get enough business
in the daytime without bringing it home
to dinner with you and going to bed with
it at night? What's the use of having
father and brother If you don't have
any OF their time? Here for months
you and father have been sitting UP to
all sorts of hours talking business:
Can't you see that you have father wor-
ried almost to death"
Now, now, Bella interrupted her
father. I'm not worried at all, and
Wilbur and I are really having a very
important talk. Can't you" Again
he looked helplessly at his son, who had
simply smiled and shrugged his sh1ul-
ders under the storm. 1t was not the
first one he had weathered.
And when have a guest I think you
might put yourselves out and sacrifice
your beloved business conversation long
enough to treat her with common cour-
tesy," went on the offended girl.
Wilbur glanced at his watch.
II tell you what, Sis he said appeas-
ingly. It's only ten minutes after 9
now. You and Katie go and get the card
table ready and Dad and l will join you
at a quarter of 10. How's that"
The girl regarded him a moment with
an expression that indicated mo COM
promise
Very WE'LL" she replied at last. But
remember, If you're not there at a quar-
ter of 10 I'll come and get you" And she
swept out of the room.
The two men looked at each other and
smiled as the portieres fell into place
behind her. But they were instantly
grave.
Now. father, you were saylng"-wI-
bur paused.
Il was saying" replied his father
that as long as our business continues
to grow, 1 do not see why we are in