The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-11-27

peateu, uoSSeuly.
Don't tell me that again, sir!'
Aberely cried. HE will sell-he shall
SELL" He pulled short up, gasping;
while Cartwright sprang towards him
per get the best of me-yes, yes;
that's right; man of my build can't
afford to get excited. Mr.. Cartwright,
If we fail we fail There's "a hours.
anyway, and we'll trust to the chapter
Of accidents; that's all there is left
for u.s.
Aberley left the Office shortly; the
men and women whom he met he rec
ognized merely as moving obstacles
in his way He felt, DULY, that he
wanted to get where it was quiet
where he could think. He sank down
wearily upon a bench in the first
square that he came to, staring at the
nursemaids and children with unsee-
ing eyes.
He realized presently, in a vague
fashion, that he was not the only oc-
cupant of the bench! a girl of about
twelve years was seated at the far
ther end.
81 wouldn't wonder" he said, eff it
isn't about time for you to go home;
and if you don't mind, I'll walk along
with you"
The little girl looked up at him,
tactily consenting. you're in busi-
ness, guess, like my papa" she said,
tentatively.
YES" assented Aberely.
Perhaps" she went on, you can
tell me something's all the wheat
cornered?"
Aberley drew short, stabbing
breath. What dye mean?" he said,
almost roughly.
why, you see, l was hiding under
the sofa in the library after luncheon,
and l heard my papa tell a man he
thought he'd cornered all the wheat,
but there was big lot that had slip
ped through his fingers-'and if we
can't get it at our figure heard papa
say, we're ruined; Aberley will snap
it up and hammer us to pieces
Aberley was hurrying along at a
pace that kept the little girl trotting
at his side. If he could only reach a
oay telephone before Cartwright left
The office! Five minutes-one minute
would settle it; he could trust Cart
wright to get track of the wheat-to
buy it-he would win the deal yet!
Aberley felt sudden tug at his hand
as the crowd surged at him; he CLAN
ced down in time to see the little girl
stagger and fall.
Good God!" he cried sharply, shiv-
ering as one who awakes from a night
mare. There was no irreverence in
me speech. He caught the little girl
to him.
You'll take me home. won't your"
she said.
Il certainly WILL" replied Aberley.
II think not, sir!" A hand fell heav-
lily on Aberley's shoulder, swinging
him half around. Marchmont snatch
ed the little girl from him and stood
glaring.
"Papa!" cried the little girl, ex-
citedly.
Aberley pulled himself together.
"Marchmont, we don't want to have
a fight on the street. I've a business
proposition to make; If may come
into your house, I'll make 1t there"
Come" replied Marchmont, grim
ly.
Aberley followed Marchmont in.
doors; the nurse swooped down upon
the little girl and bore her away.
Once in the library, Aberley turned
to Marchmont. speaking deliberately.
'Marchmont," he said, Il am in a
hole. 1t is a bad hole. I've big
contract to fill tomorrow, and I'm
short on wheat. Cartwright says that
you won't sell at any price. Is that
so?"
1T is" replied Marchmont, briefly.
Aberley inclined his head. "Then-
fail. Unless" he looked hard at
Marchmont, and waited.
"Well?" queried Marchmont.
Unless l telephone my confidential
clerk to buy that lot of wheat that has
slipped through your fingers"
Marchmont started, recovering him
self with an effort. WELL" he said,
heavily. why don't you telephone?"
Because" returned Aberley, with
great gentleness, ut was your little
girl who--gave you away.
"Marchmont. think this is a drawn
game. / want a partner, ] want you.
Is 1t go?"
Marchmont held o1t his hand. 1T