The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-05-13

ySU Mr. Meyer sat at his desk in
the rooms busily writing when the
old gentleman who had bewailed the
death of his son in the intelligence Of
fee tottered In and took a chair beside
him.
Good morning. Mr.. Selfridge." he
said, scarcely looking up. Il suppose
you have come to see der insurance
paid over. Der sixty days are up"
Yes. yes, Mr.. Meyer" said the old
gentleman YEARLY. "Of course as
merely a stakeholder L can take no
active part But | am a member here
and naturally a little anxious. All
had in the world, even to my son and
grandchld, was in the Titan
ut is YER sad, Mr.. Selfridge. You
have my deepest sympathy. l pelieve
you are der largest holder Of Titan
stock. about 100000, is it notT"
About that"
81 am der heaviest insurer. So Mr.
Selfridge this battle will be largely
between you and myself"
Battle. Is there to be any diff
culty?' asked Mr.. Selfridge anxiously.
Perhaps: | do not know. Der I'M
derwriters and outside companies have
placed matters in my hands and will
not bay until take der initiative. We
must hear from one John Rowland,
who, with a little child, was rescued
from der berg and taken to Christian
sand. He has been too sick to leave
der ship which found him and is COM
ing up der Thames in her this morn
ing. l have a carriage at der dock
and expect him at my office Ply noon.
Dere is where we will dransact this
little piZness.- not here"
"a child-saved" queried the old
gentleman. Dear me! 1t may be lit
tie Myra. She was not at Gibraltar
with the others. | would not care-I
would not care much about the money
If she was safe But my son, my only
son. is gone. and Mr.. Meyer I am a
paid"
"And l am q ruined man If 1t isl
said Mr. Meyer, rising. 'Will you come
around to der office, Mr.. Selfridge?
expect der attorney and Captain Bryce
are dere now" Mr.. Selfridge arose
and accompanied him to the street.
A rather meagerly furnished private
office in Threadneedle street, partition
ed off from a larger one bearing Mr..
| Meyers name in the window, received
| the two men, one of whom, in the in
| terests Of good business, was soon to
be impoverished. They had not wait
ed a minute before Captain Bryce and
Mr.. Austen were announced and usher
ed in. Sleek, we'll fed and gentleman
| ish naval officer, they bowed politely
to Mr. Selfridge when Mr.. Meyer in,
troduced them as the captain and first
officer of the Titan and seated them
selves. A few moments later brought
4 shrewd looking person whom Mr.
| Meyer addressed as the attorney fol-
the steamship company, but did not
introduce, for such are the amenities
Of the English system Of caste.
| NOW, then. gentlemen" said Mr.
Meyer, 81 pelieve we can proceed tC
pizness up to a certain point-berhap
further. Mr.. Thompson, you have the
affidavit Of Captain Bryce"
Il have" said the attorney. produc
ing a document which Mr.. Meyer
| glanced at and handed back
and in this statement. captain" he
said. you have sworn that der voyage
was uneventful up 10 der moment OF
der wreck-that is" he added with ar
oily smile as he noticed the paling OF
the captains face. that nothing oc
Cured to make der Titan less sea
worthy or manageable?"
THAT is what l swore to-" said the
| captain with little sigh.
you are part owner, are you not
Captain Bryce?"
Il own FIVE shares of the company
stock"
II have examined der charter ant
der company lists" said Mr.. Meyer
Each boat Of der company is. so fal