Charlevoix county herald., 1911-03-25
CHAPTER I.-Contlnued.

10 keep me in neckwear. Wall street,
great fun, but it doesn't pay much
uf3t Is, not unless you play the game
Yourself"
Howard smiled feebly as he re-
piled:
'Nonscn9e-I wouldn't accept help
or that sort. I'm not reduced to So
Letting charity yet. / guess I'd pre-
Ter the river to that But if you hear
or 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
II he doubted his sanity.
Two thousand dollars!" he gasped.
DO you suppose that I'd be wearing
out shoe leather looking for job,
If had $4,000"
Coke looked disappointed as he re-
piled:
oh. OF course, I understand you
haven't it on you, only l thought you
might be able to raise It,"
Why do you ask" inquired How
ard, his curiosity aroused.
Coke looked around to see II any
one 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 get tips I'm on the inside.
l know in advance what the big men
arg going to do. When they start to
move a certain stock up, I'm on the
Job. Understand? II you had $4,000,
could raise as much, and we'd pool
our capital, starting in the business
ourselves-on a small scale, of course
If we hit it right we might make a
nice income"
Towards mouth watered Certain
ly that was the kind Of life he liked
best. The feversh excitement of
gambling. the close association with
rich men, the promise of a luxurious
style of living-all this appealed to
him strongly. But what was the use?
Where could he get $4,000? lie
couldn't so 10 his father He shook
his head
I'm afraid not, old sport" he said
IS they left the saloon and he held
out his hand to say good-by. But I'll
bear it in mind, and if things improve,
I'll look you up. So long"
Climbing YEARLY up the dirty stairs
o! the elevated railroad he bought a
ticket with one of the few nickels re-
naming in his pocket, and taking a
seat in north-bound train started on
his trip back TO Harlem.
The day was overcast. rain threat
ened. A pail of mingled smoke and
mist hung over the entire city. From
the car window as the train wound
its serpentine course in and out the
maze of grimy Offices, shops and tene-
ments, everything appeared drab,
dirty and squalid. New York was
seen at it's ugliest Ensconced in
cross-seat, his chin leaning heavily
on his hand, Howard gazed deiectedly
out of the window. The depressing
outlook was in keeping with his own
state of mind.
How would the adventure end?
Reconciliation with his father was out
of the question. Letters sent home
remained without response He
wasn't surprised. He knew his pater
too well to expect that he would re-
lent SO soon. Besides, If the old man
was so Internally proud, he'd show
him he had some pride, too. He'd
drown himself before he'd go down on
his bees, whining to be forgiven. His
father was dead wrong, anyway. His
marriage might have been foolish;
Annie might be beneath him socially.
She was not educated and her father
wasn't any better than he ought to
be. She did not talk correctly, her
manners left much to be desired, at
times he was secretly ashamed of her
But her bringing up was her misfor-
tune, not her fault The girl herself
was straight as a die. She had a
heart. of gold. She was far more in
tell int, far more likely to make
hin. happy home than some stuck
ND. idle society girl who had no
thought for anything save money,
dress and show. Perhaps IL he had
been less honorable and not married
her. his father would have thought
more highly of him. If he'd ruined
the girl, no doubt he would have been
welcomed home with open arms
Pshaw! He might be a poor, weak
fooN but thank God, they couldn't re-
proaSh him with that. Annie had been
loyal to him throughout. He'd stick
10 her through thick and thin.
AS the traip swept round the curve
nj Fifty-third street and started on its
long, straight run up the West side,
his mind reverted to Robert Under
wood. lie had seen his old associate
only once since leaving college. He
ran acrosI him one day on Fifth ave-