Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1911-08-10
CHAPTER I-contlnued.

7 wish l could help you, old man.
A. 1t Is, my own salary barely serves
10 keep me In neckwear. Wall streets
great fun, but 1t doesn't pay much;
that is, not unless you play the game
yourself"
Howard smiled feebly as he re-
Rlied:
Nonsense wouldn't accept help
VI that sort. I'm not reduced to 80
liciting charity yet. 1 guess I'd pre-
fer the river to that. But If you hear
Of anything, keep me in mind"
The athlete made no response. He
was apparently lost in thought when
suddenly he blurted out:
Say Jeffries, you haven't got any
money, have you-say, a couple OF
thousand dollars?"
Howard stared at the questioner as
u he doubted his sanity.
1.-Two thousand dollars!" he gasped.
SDo you suppose that I'd be wearing
out shoe leather looking for a Job,
l had $2,OO0?"
Coke looked disappointed as he re-
piled:
"Oh, Of course, l understand you
haven't 1t on you, only thought you
might be able TO raise it,"
why do you askH" inquired How
ard, his curiosity aroused.
Coke looked around to see II any
n was listening. Then In a whis-
per he said:
Its a cinch. If you had $4,000,
you and l could make a snug little
fortune. Don't you understand? In
my office l get tips. I'm on the inside.
are going to do. When they start to
move a certain stock up, I'm on the
Job. Understand? II you had $4,000
I could raise as much, and we'd poo
our capital, starting in the business
ourselves-on a small scale, of course
II we hit 1t right we might make Q
nice income"
Towards mouth watered. Certain
" that was the kind Of life he liked
best. The feVerish excitement o
gambling, the close association will
Hich men, the promise Of a luxurious
style of living-all this appealed Il
him strongly, But what was the use
Where could he get $4,000? H
couldn't go to his father, He shoe.
his head.
I'm afraid not, old sport" he sal
as they left the saloon and he hel
out his hand to say good-by. But +
bear II In mind, and If things improve
I'll look you up. So long,"
Climbing YEARLY up the dirty stair
Of the elevated railroad, he bought
ticket with one of the few nickels r.
manning in his pocket, and taking
sent in a north-bound train started o
his trip back to Harlem.
The day was overcast, rain threa
ened. A pail Of mingled smoke an
mist hung over the entire city. Fro
the car window as the train wour
ITS s~erpentine course In and out t.
maze of grimy Offices, shops and ten
ments, everything appeared dra
dirty and squalid. New York wi
seen at It's ugliest. Ensconced IN
cross-seat, his chin leaning heavi
on his hand, Howard gazed detected
out of the window. The depressil
outlook was in keeping with his oV
state Of mind.
How would the adventure en-
Reconciliation with his father was o
of the question. Letters sent hor
remained without response. /
wasn't surprised. He knew his pat
too well to expect that he would
lent so soon. Besides, II the old M
was 80 Internally proud, he'd she
him he had some pride, too. He
drown himself before he'd go down
his knees, whining to be forgiven. +
father was dead wrong, anyway. +
marriage might have been FOOLS
Annie might, be beneath him social
Che was not educated and her fatt
wasn't any better than he ought
be. She did not talk correctly,
manners lSlL nuSh y W NNSN'
times he was secretly ashamed OF b
But her bringing up was her mist
tune, not her fault. The girl hers
was straight as q die. She had
heart Of gold. She was far more
t%eIligent, far more likely to ma
him a happy home than some stu
M. idle society girl who had
thought for anything a v mon
Aress and show. Perhaps If he
been less honorable and not MARI
her. his father would have thou
more highly Of him. If he'd ruiz
the girl, NO doubt he would have b.
welcomed home with open ar
Pshawl He might be a poor, w
TOO. but thank God, they couldn't
nroach him with that. Annie had b
Ioyal to him throughout. He'd st
il. her through thick and thin.
Is the train swept round the Gu
Id" fty-third street and started ON
n &ong, straight run up the West s
mind reverted to Robert I'm,
ID. He had seen his old assoc.
once since leaving college.
49,, hIua oAa dav on Fifth