The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-05


Aberley." he re-
peated, doggedly.
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
in sudden alarm. IL let my tenn
per get the best Of me-yes, yes;
that's right; a man of my build can't
afford to get excited. Mr.. Cartwright,
| II we fail, we fail There's "a hours.
anyway, and we'll trust to the chapter
OF accidents; that's oil there is left
for us.
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 1t was quiet
where he could think. He sank down
YEARLY upon bench in the first
square that he came to, staring at the
nursemaids and children with unsee.
ing eyes
! He realized presently. in vague
fashion, that he was not the only &C.
cupant of the bench girl of about
twelve years was seated at the far
Their end.
81 wouldn't WONDER" he said, IF 1t
isn't about time for you to 60 home;
and if you don't mind, I'll walk along
with YOU"
The little girl looked up at him.
tactily ,onsenting. you're in bust.
ness, guess, like my papa" she said.
tentatively.
"Yes," assented Aberely.
Perhaps" she went on. "you can
tell me- something-is all the wheat
cornerad?"
Aberley drew short. stabbing
breath. "What dye mean?" he said,
almost roughly.
] "Why, you see. was hiding under
the sofa in the library after luncheon.
and 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 1t at our figure l heard papa
say. we're ruined; Aberley will snap
1t up and hammer US to pieces"
Aberley was hurrying along at a
pace that kept the little girl trotting
at his side. II he could only reach q
pay 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 the 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 night.
mare. There was no irreverence in
the speech. He caught the little girl
to him.
you'll take mo home. won't your"
she said.
II 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.
Abcrley pulled himself together.
"Marchmont, we don't want to have
a fight on the street. I've q business
proposition to make; II may come
into your house, I'll make it 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, II am In q
hole. 1t is 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. Ii that
so?"
''It H." replied Marchmont, briefly.
Aberley inclined his head. "Then-
I fail. Unless" he looked hard at
Marchmont. and waited.
"Well?" queried Marchmont.
"Unless ! 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 telephonei"
because" returned Aberley. with
srssat gentieness, 1T wAs your little
girl who--gavs you away.
"Marrhmont ] think this 10 drawn
game. want . partass. ] want yos.
II Il q sof"
Marchmos. hsiA oat bic hand II
| n n On ShA AntA