Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-03

" by reducing the blase younf
clubman to a state Of grinning admi
ration. "Fingerless" Fraser alone hai
been missing from the coterie. Eli
had discovered them from a distance
to be sure. and came over to exchange
greetings with Cherry, but the disas
trous result of the fellows garrulitJ
was still so fresh In Boyd's mind tha
he could not invite him to join them
and Fraser. with singular modesty
had quickly withdrawn, to wander
lonesomely for awhile till sheer emu
drove him to bed. His detection
awakened little sympathy In Boyd
who felt happier for the removal OF
his irritating presence.
In the morning Boyd was brought
sharply back to realization of his
difficult position by letter from Nil
dred Wayland.
Father and l had another scene
over you." wrote Mildred. ut was
the first quarrel we ever had. and In
half sick as result. simply cant
bear that sort Of thing, and we have
agreed to drop the subject. What
reused him to such a sudden fury I'm
sure | don't know"
Boyd knew. however. and the knowl
edge did not add to his comfort.
1t seemed. indeed. as II the trusts
enmity had marked him in the eyes
Of the whole financial world. He was
again denied assistance at the banks
and this time In a manner to show him
the futility Of further effort.
In his perplexity he turned naturally
to Cherry, who listened to his tale OF
repeated failure with furrowed brows
pondering the matter as seriously aa
If the responsibility had been her own.
1.-The battle has begun sooner thar
l expected" she said at length. 81 new
er dreamed they could fix the banks
30 quickly"
somehow l can't believe this Is
the work Of the trust people. don't
see how they could accomplish so much
in so short a time. Why. It came like
a thunderclap."
81 hope I am wrong" she answered,
but something unexpected must have
happened to change Mr.. Hilliard's at
titude. What could 1t be except pres
sure from higher sources?"
HAS he dropped any hint before
you?"
"Not a hint. He wouldn't let go Of
anything. Why, he Is too close fisted
to drop his rs
"Will you take dinner with me this
evening so that we can talk over any
further developments"
~ am to dine with Mr.. Hilliard,"
said the girl.
"Oh," Boyd's tone Of disappointment
seemed disproportionate to the occa-
sion. He endeavored to disguise his
feeling by saying lightly: "You are
breaking into exclusive circles. He
lives in quite a palace. am told"
Tim not dining at his home"
Cherry hesitated. and Boyd flashed a
sharp glance at her. A faint color
flushed her cheeks as she explained.
"He could not see me at the office to-
day. so he arranged for me to take din
ner with him."
"I see" Boyd detected note hither'
to strange in his own voice. 81 am 60
ing to try the Tacoma banks tomorrow.
Would you like to run over with me In
the morning? The sound trip Is beau
rful."
II would love to-" she exclaimed. ~
may have something to report II can
make Mr. Hilliard talk"
"Out Of curiosity. should like to
know what influenced him. I'll call
for you In time for the 8 o'clock boat" >"
he added as he arose to go. Mean
while If you get hint from billiard
It may be useful"
Cherry had finished her bredlhaN
next morning when he called and was
awaiting him. clad in brown velvet
suit which set Off her trim figure with
oil the effectiveness Of skillful tailor
ing. She was as perfect to the eye as
the morning itself.
"Well. did Hilliard expose the hid
den mysteries of the banking system! =
he questioned as they walked down
toward the water front
"He did. 1t Is no mystery at all
now"
"Then it was that newspaper story
that frightened him."
Indirectly perhaps. he didn't men
ton it."
"What did he say~
Nothing"
Nothing! Then how
"He Informed me that you are en-
gagged to marry Miss Wayland"
"Yes. But what did he say about
the loanf"
"Only what I have told you. The
rest Is easy. Had you been less Sc
kretive would have known instantly
whom to blame for this trouble
Wayne wayland and Willis Marsh are
working double, and inasmuch as you
are persona non grata"-
"Who told You I am persona non
gratar
"You told me yourself without In
tending to- Please give me credit FOL
some shrewdness. II you had been
welcome suitor you would have had
no difficulty in raising twice $2OOOW
In Chicago Then. too. l remember
the story you told me at Kalvik. your
mental attitude-many things, In fact
Oh, 1t was very simple"
"Well. what Of it2 What has all thai
got to do with my present dificultyT
Listen! You want to marry thu
daughter of the greatest trust builder
In the country. and he doesn't wan'
you for a son-in-law. You undertake
In enterprise which seriously threatenl
his financial interests. and II successful
In that you could defy his opposition
In the other matter. Now, all goea
well until he learns Of your plans
then he strikes with his own weapons
A word here and there, hint to TIM
banks, and your fine castle comes tum
bling down about your ears. though
you had more perception"
"We haven't figured Marsh In O
,ll," he said tentatively.
HE figures nevertheless. as l In
tend to show you today. To begil
With, please notice that unobsrusiv'
man in the gray suit Not now! Dom
,oob .~ound For a rnfnuta You vii