The Nevada County picayune., 1911-06-30

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 Instantly Steele began to regret; also he was somewhat scared; the passion which had gripped him so strongly that he had forgotten himself was a new thing in his experience. He had never made such an exhibi- tion of himself-to his knowledge, at least-so causelessly. He glanced around the room, shame-faced, won dering who had witnessed his trans port
 There were two witnesses; Hunt, office partner of the firm of c. b. Hunt & Wilder, through which Steele cleared his transactions, and in whose offices he was accorded a desk as a courtesy; and stranger to Steele-a stout man, fiorid of complexion, thick set. Him Steele intuitively knew for Tausig. Beldens partner.
 "Oh," he said, shortly, you're Tau sig" The fellow nodded. I've noth- ing against you personally, Tausig," Steele continued more calmly but Belden-! damned scoundrel- gives you a bad nane, Tausig. But this is what l wanted to say: you tell Belden what l had intended to, that your firm will get just the same treat ment from US as the rest of the shorts in this deal. And-and we're not dis posed to be hard on the shorts"
 Tausig nodded curtly. That's what we wanted to know, MT. Steele" he replied. "1f there's to be no discrimi- nation. we may pull through. Good day" And he left
 Hunt watched the door close before speaking. Then he laughed shortly. "If Belden's looks go for anything, Steele" he commented, you'll pay high for that"
 Steele stared at him duly under heavy eyelids.
 "Oh, Belden," he said, after while, slowly; "h- be damn Anyhow, his power in the street Is broken"
 To himself his tongue seemed thick and unwieldy, he had some difficulty in enunciating distinctly. It annoyed Steele and Hunt was watching him strangely.
 CSp He ucdlu say, Dul lniS isn't the first time that Beldens been broken. Maybe it isn't to be the last, either."
 ITO tell the truth" said Steele, very carefully, T didn't mean 10 flare up that way Something seemed to snap. I wonder-''
 Reaction, perhaps" suggested Hunt coolly philosophical in the con- sderation of anothers troubles. You've kept yourself keyed up to the fever pitch for several weeks, and a reactions bound to come"
 Steele did not directly reply. He sat down, with his hands In his pock- cts. and stared gloomily at the carpet.
 Anyhow" he said, rising again after an interval, "I'm-tired, tired. I'm going home-now. Take care of things"
 He reached blindly for his hat and staggered a pace or two toward the door Hunt jumped up. alarmed.
 Here, old man." he said. Steele fell, like a column pushed from its base; he fell, to lie inert, su- pine, breathing heavily. It was three months later. almost to day, before the Street again knew Jim Steele's footsteps. Following his discharge from sani- | tarium as convalescent-a discharge accompanied by a warning that he would return to business life within three years at his peril-a few weeks had been put in at Palm Beach. Now Steele and his wife were to spend a few weeks in town until their son S spring term at school should be end ed, when the three of them were to go abroad.
 AS for Mrs. Steele, she was radiant ly happy; for the first time in their twelve years of married life she had what she most desired in all the world-frst place in the thoughts of her husband. For 1t was an under stood thing that Steele had given up the Street and all it's works-"for bet ter or worse" Steele had laughed when he promised
 Yet 1t was with a distinct shiver of foreboding that the woman looked up from her breakfast plate, on the morn ing following their return to the city, to find Steele eyeing her with a gaze half doubtful. half deprecating.
 She put down her fork deliberately her eyes upon the letter which he had been reading. and still held in his hand. Steele fancied that she lost a shade of color and he could not ig- nore the anxiety In her eyes.
 What is it?' she demanded, almost breathlessly.
 He laughed lightly to reassure her,
 Why, nothing of any great impor- tance, Sara; only that I'm going down town for an hour or two today He saw her little hands elinch until the knuckles stood out white and hard against the firm pink of her flesh, and hurried to explain: Hunt writes me