The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-28
az stacy z. BAKER.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Lit
Nrary preSsN

Copyright, 1911, by Associated Lit
erary' Press.)
William +. Mason. esquire. was
ambitious. In early youth he left his
home town for the city, where his
veneer OF country greeness gradual
~ were away---and with il the heart
pang that came when memory swung
before him picture of Faith barrow,
who. back where the grass was green.
prayed for his success. waiting aix-
iously for letters.
William F. Mason meant to make
something Of his life. His goal was
ahead, not behind. The slim maid
so appropriately named Faith. WAS
and always would be his ideal of beau
ty--but Mason couldn't anaiyze his
feelings. He knew. after the insatia-
BILE city had gained its favorite throat
hold. that the girl back home could
never fit into his scheme or things.
Mason was a oad-shouldered fell
low and his keen. gray eyes had a
habit OF staring into the iliuslye orbs
Of opportunity, allowing their owner 10
avail himself Of what secrets he head
therein. Mason was a student OF men.
and conditions as men make them
Chance took him first into business
office In Wall street. The brokerage
business appealed to him. Eight years
afterward he was quoted millionaire
ana owned his seat on change. Back
home a weary-eyed little maid still
waited.
The winter of the panic was nota-
bic one. Men with the Midas touch
found their power waning and their
accumulated treasures turning to
dross. Stocks deprecated ana money
vanished alike into the socks of the
frightened farmers and the strong
boxes Of the bankers. Through II all.
Mason-now known as Wizard" Ma
son--was cool and collected. II his
fortunes were on the wane he was
stoically calm through the strenuous
shrinking process. No one heard him
complain.
Miss Margaret Wendail was the
daughter OF Wallace Wendall. Ameri-
cas- champion heavyweight tinancier
She was also the fiancee OF Mason
Miss Wendall was a stately bru-
nette. with any natural fire or af-
fection long since toned out of her
by calculating mamma Now. in
the stress OF strenuous conditions,
The girl vainiy strove to solve the
enigma of Masons caimness. To her
eyes his straight, broad shoulders
were carried AS proudly erect as here
tpfore and his manner was as force
ful and compelling as ever. And yet
all this might lie the thin coyeriet ei
failure. Wall Street was topsy-turv
iniiiionaires were the marks picked
by the sharpshooters Of Fate. Miss
Wendaa waited. Al the~hrst signs
az worry Mason must he given his
freedom; Margaret Wendail must be
mistress OF millions.
Mason was worried, Ills affairs
we're In n preearious condition. and
much of his money was invested III
shrinking securities. IT all depended
upon the markets ability to right II
self within reasonable time His
race WAS Il mask. lie knew what tbs
consequences would be IL he showed
fear for the future in the xprcsenes
OF his fianeee. He did rot expect
love. He knew that the naptials t
be celebrated in the spring were moi
the fruition OF cupid's philanderings
Head down. Mason. crossing lower
Broadway one bleak December das
Was given another shock. A iighl
hand WAS laid ON his arm as hs
touched the curb, and he absent
minded raised his eyes TO stare int
the face of--Falth Darrow'
You" Tmpalsiveiy the explana
ton burst from his surprise parted
lips-
Then you haven't forgotten me-
Dimpies. long absent. flashed for al
instant at the corners of her cursint
mouth.
You know that haven't" he re
preached 'But--~but what in thi
world are you doing here? | can
associate you with the city. | AWAY
think of YOU as--as the fairest ao@el
In t'oixa.'
'Stili the same reckless fiat;erer.
Mason eyed her analyticaily. HI
noted. too, with an inexplicahie ~ens.