The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-01-05
CHAPTER I.-continued.

II wish / could help you, old man.
AS it is, my own salary barely serves
to keep me in neckwear. Wall streets
great fun, but it doesn't pay much:
that is, not unless you play the game
yourself"
Howard smiled feebly as he re-
piled:
Nonsense wouldn't accept help
OF that sort. I'm not reduced to So
hciting charity yet / 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, Jeffrfes, you haven't got any
money, have you-say, a couple Of
thousand dollars?"
Howard stared at the questioner as
If he doubted his sanity.
Two thousand dollars!" he gasped.
DO you suppose that I'd be wearing
out shoe leather looking for a job,
If had $4,000"
Coke looked disappointed as he re-
piled:
oh, Of course, understand you
haven't it on you, only I thought you
might be able to raise it."
Why do you ask" inquired How
ard, his curiosity aroused.
Coke looked around to see if any
one was listening. Then in a whis-
per he said:
It's 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.
| know in advance what the big men
are going to do. When they start to
move certain stock up, I'm on the
Job. Understand? If you had $4,000,
| could raise as much, and we'd pool
our capital. starting in the business
ourselves-on small scale. of course
II we hit it right we might make q
uice income"
Towards mouth watered. Certain.
ly that was the kind of life he liked
best. The feEerish excitement of
gambling, the close association with
rich men, the promise of a luxurious
style of liVing-aIl this appealed to
him strongly. But what was the use?
Where could he get $4,000? He
couldn't go to his father. He shook
his head
I'm afraid not, old sport" he said
as 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,
III look you up. So long!"
Climbing YEARLY up the dirty stairs
Of 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 its ugliest. Ensconced in a
cross-seat, his chin leaning heavily
on his hand. Howard gazed dejectedIy
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
aasn't surprised. He knew his pater
100 we'll to expect that he would re-
tent so soon. Besides, if the old man
Mas so internally proud, he'd show
him he had some pride, too. He'd
drown himself before he'd go down on
his knees, 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
telligent, far more likely to make
him happy home than some stuck,
up, idle society girl who had no
thought for anything save money,
dress and show. Perhaps If he had
been less honorable and not married
her, his father would have thought
more highly of him. II he'd ruined
the girl. no doubt he would have been
welcomed home with open arms.
Pshaw! He might be poor, weak
fool. but thank God. they couldn't re-
proach him with that Annie had been
loyal to him throughout. He'd stick
to her through thick and thin.
As the train swept round the curve
at Fifty.third street and started on its
long, s'raight run up the West side, |
his mad reverted to Robert Under |
vood lie had seen his old associate
ol-a@ since leaving college. He
!" setess him one day on Fifth ave-