The Washington herald., 1912-01-07
Young Emerron Winced-

Young Emerson WINGED.
Never mind about that. father" he
broke IN. sharply. I'm attend to the de-
tails The man-the place where III get
the money-your note viii be all right"
Old Mr.. Emerson acknowledged the i'm
piled compliment with stately nod
/ Just as you say, Wilbur he replied,
quietiy Il win leave everything to you.
Would you like to have this note nowTs
Yes. I would" was the prompt re-
sponse. and he drew out nve long slips
OF paper. looked them over, and handed
lone TO his father. IL was q note for
81. .00o.ooo. lacking only the signature. The
old man adjusted his spectacles. took out
a fountain pen. and gravely signed It
without even reading Il over
Thomas opened the door.
said
IAN right Thomas. Tell him tn be
/ right down.
The door closed noIselessly Emerson
took the note his father held out with a
grave Thank you. father; 1 think you'd
better 90 10 bed We younger men are
going 10 discuss ways and means a little
! in the library"
I Very wen, my boy. oh, Wilbur
The young man paused with his hand
on the knob and turned his head His
father walked slowly Up. put hand on
each OF the stalwart shoulders and looked
long and searchingiy into his sons
strained, white face. BE careful, my
boy he said. gently.
Wilbur slowly dropped his head and
held the door for the old man to pass
out.
Il win. father" he said. gravely.
Cowper was prematureJy gray. and his
weak face. drawn with fright, made him
look like an old man.
Weir said Emerson, evenly, as he
entered. Tire Other was pacing feverish-
ly about the loom.
Il tell YOU, Emerson"-he began in q
hoarse voice.
There. there" interrupted the COM
mander. You didn't have any luck.
chr
heard this evening that the clearing
house had refused our paper The voice
was barely more than a whisper.
Emerson nodded. Il knew II this after
noon" ne said. calmly. Now. don't
excite yourself! You couldn't borrow
any money. Well. I didn't think you
could. I couldn't either-but I can buy
some: Now. walt until the others get
here"
For Gods sake. Billy, give me
drink" cried his partner. holding out a
shaking hand. In few moments
Thomas appeared with decanters and
siphon and Covper took two big drinks
before he attempted to continue the dis
cussion.
Emerson watched him curiously. He
could not understand q coward. and for
q moment he wished that Cowper had
never been one Of them. He refused
to permit him to utter a syllable until
Tooker and Raymond arrived
They came In together. Raymond talk
ing volubly and TooSer scotbingly. With
out the formality OF a Good evening"
as soon as he entered the room. Twice
Tooker and the young leader tried to
head him on. but IN vain. Emerson took
out his watch and laid It, face up. on
the table He studied It grayely as
Raymond went on with his TRADE.
With any sort OF management they |
would never have found themselves in |
this fix. He had always been opposed TO |
expanding beyond ten banks. 1t was !
criminal folly. He could never forgive I
himself for consenting-and so on. At
last he paused for breath. and Emerson
looked up.
You've been talking eight minutes
eight valuable minutes he said. quietly. |
''and haven't heard you make any Sug-
gestion that will help us"
Tooker smiled.
well, make one yourself!'' snapped !
Raymond. He dropped into chair, jam !
med a cigar iHSb his mouth and chewed |
II savagely.
'I was about to-ss soon as I could /
get a word in" replied Emerson. calmly. |
He rose from his seat at the table and |
looked at his partners.
Cowper was sitting on the edge Of a /
chair. his head bowed, elbows resting on \
knees and a highball nursed in both /
hands. Raymond was glaring at him 1
~. -.
Tooker. his folded arms resting on the /
hack OF a chair. was regarding his young /
leader with calm eyes There was deep
silence OF several moments. and then i
Emerson's quiet voice broke it.
None Of you know a man named De
No! Well. possibly I
wouldn't either, but he wants TO marry i
my sister. RE happens TO be consul
general for the French republic at the
port of New York. The French always
nave more money than they can invest.
and they learned some way more than
ten days ago that that gang was about |
to land on US The result IS that he has
t4,ooo.oo in gold-in goldI He Is supposed
10 sell Il TO the highest bidder. but there
VIII be no bidding. He win sen 1t to US
Tor 1900 CO.,"
Cowper,s glass slipped from his fingers
md crashed to the floor. Raymond all
1ut swallowed his cigar as he leaped to
MS feet Tookar alone appeared IN
moved. He was watching his friends
lace. and he knew there was more to
,ome.
-Four millions in gold are worth six
lust now, much less hve.' he said,
yravely. But what does he want as
Il was coming to that" Emerson went
IN. with a quick glance at the ques-
ioner. 'T have here"-he laid II on the
able-''my fathers note for s1.Oo0.ooo.
Here are four other notes ready for our
Il
sswhatp' shouted Raymond, his face
working with excitement. WIN he take !
'ur notes as security7"
Not exactly" replied Emerson. calm
y. Hell take those government thlees
md the railroad bonds"
But how
And these notes will be deposited in
heir place."
For possibly i've tense seconds there g
vas an uncanny silence
Then. with gasp. Cowper sank into
huddled heap In his chair. Raymond
prang back from the table, 'ehattering
Ike monkey.
No! MOI No, Emersoni MOI
Toolxer. his eyes still on his young par
ler's pale face, murnured as n to him
elf:
Emerson, Emersonl"