Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-16


exactly seventv-tive thousand more than he
can lay his hands on, and, for all your seem
ing innocence, young lady, | am greatly
afraid that is Just what you had in your
mind
Il tried to play game according to the
woman's rules, she said demurely See,
here is Gibbs to announce dinner. Your
arm, Mr.. Sterling.
Ellis followed Chattering gaily.
you are now virtually the owner of the
J., H. & \. he said when they were seated.
There are number OF shares that refused
to be shaken out; but it is the first time
think that lady has purchased a big rail
way property in about the time it takes to
match a ribbon
"A telephone for Mr.. Sterling, Ma'am,
announced the butler, "a Mr.. .Jessup. Sir
"Aha!' said Sterling. Hes tracked me
down; but won't see him-yet. Tell Mr.
Jessup am dining and cannot be disturbed
When the man had retired the broker smiled
II give him thirty minutes to reach your
door, Miss NIarlowe."
He was true prophet; for before the
entree was served .Jessup was announced.
Whereat Sylvia laughed heartily. put him
in the reception room, Gibbs. she said, land
say that Mr.. Sterling will see him shortly
"A library and Miss AIarlowe sat down
behind the great carved writing table and
laid her white arms upon the snarled rests
of the old high-backed chair from which
Montgomery Phister had so often dealt out
rough-handed decisions to many men. Over
head was a stained glass skylight behind
which incandescents glowed and cast null
ticolored radiance upon the girlish figure
with the snowy shoulders and the piled up
masses Of fair ,air. Over the mantel behind
her hung he dark portrait of a stern-faced
old man with a square jaw and cruel eye,
which seemed to fill the room. She rang, and
the butler ushcred in Daniel X. JeSsup and
a melancholy featured man whom he pre-
sented as Mr.. Pryor, his attorney.
Il must congratulate you upon Your
COUP" cried Iessup when Sterling had ex-
planned that he had been acting for Miss
Marlowe 81 took the liberty of following
Mr.. Sterling here as | felt sure he would
wish this affair closed up as speedily as pos
sible. No use in delaying busy men, Ell,
Sterlingo' he cried with forced gaiety. "Ha-
ha! Well get it over in a minute or So
Sylvia RAISED; her eyebrows a trif1e and
looked at .Jessup with interest.
Il find, said that man briskly, that my
brokers, acting perhaps hastily, disposed of
rather more stock than had given them in
structions to sell. In fact, they let go
number of shares that-er-er-
THAT do not exist, | believe, said Sylvia
sweetly.
perhaps we should not say do not exist,
returned Jessup; "but which might be diff
cult-the delivery of which might occasion
some delay
"An indefinite delay, | am told, Mr.. Jes-
sup" said Sylvia sharply. However, | am
in no hurry, and do want the stock.
Jessup looked appealingly at his lawyer,
and gray look touched his features; but
the man of law made no move.
"You had some proposal, think you
said, went on Sylvia.
For the first time probably in all his NOR
ally strabisrnic career the old financ1er was
at loss. at had occurred to me. he quay
cred, that since you could not possibly wish
to burden your fair young shoulders with
such a property might arrange to take the
whole -er-affair off them; allowing you a
fair profit, of course.
The silence in which he had been received
and the lack of response to his overtures
worried him. Now he looked about warily.
"That is nice of you, Mr.. Jessup,' Sylvia
said quietly. "Now what would YOU con
slider fair return for my little excursion into
your chosen valley" She leaned forward,
and looked so frail and innocent in her great
chair that Jessup plucked up heart
"Shall we sav-er-two hundred and fifty
thousand dollarsor he asked, and Ellis