Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-05-10


Meanwhile James Farleigh assume
control OF the business. The old mel
chant was now completely under hi
sons dominance. That was the yea
when James began TO pay attentio
to Minna-at first he visited her /
discuss business matters. then his vi
it's became more personal
One evening he brought the cu
rert OF his speechifying 10 it's chat
mel He asked Minna to be his wifi
pointing out the advisability OF Uni
ing the capital in one large. undertaI
ing. He hoped to be enormously ricl
he said; they would spend the
honeymoon abroad. and
Here Minna interrupted hid
There is one thing you have forgO
ten to tell me. James" she said
What's that?" asked James
THAT you love me-" she answered
Il adore you." cried James In SIM
lated ecstacy. and tried TO seize hi
hand. Minna drew herself away,
II don't believe you. James Ia
leigh. the girl answered indignau
. ~ anu w iON INV yOus
But there is nobody else2" he stu
tered -Oh! There is somebody
He came nearer. Il know who it d
too" he sneered 1T is that sneal
Ing hound of brother OF mine"
That Is quite enough" cried U
girl You need not come here an
more And IL you need my capitj
you can apply to my trustees" 81
added bitterly They'll do what
fair-I'n see to that"
Perhaps you don't know why q
old man turned against Ernest,
said. 1T wasn't because be was Id
and dissipated; no. that wouldn't haV
been enough. 1t was because
forged check"
you are lying, James Farleigh al
you know It," retorted Minna Gra
and James went out
That year her trustees. old md
both of them. died James was 4
strumental In the appointment
their successors. A week later nd
sanctioned the investment of II
money. The new stores sprang W
over the town. But James was evl
at business: he was speculating
Wall street Then came the pad
and the crash. Securities dropped
half their value About this lid
James endeavored to see Minna agal
Hec waylaid her and met her d
evening when she was returnid
home He begged her TO marry hid
Minna was touched by his humiluI
Besides. Ernest's letters had ceasi
six months before and she was I'D
and angry. In the revulsion of fe1
ing she was almost friendly to Jam9
She consented to renew their formi
intimacy.
She and James were engaged. Fl
est received a letter briefly annouI'
ing this. and saying thatathe marris7
was to take place the follow;
month. THAT brought, him hurryiI
home And It happened that he 4
rived at a critical moment
The store was bankrupt "a
branch stores were all involved. n
fortune accumulated by old Farlel
had been burned up like. waste pap
~ /
the tune of nearly 100000. All M
mas capital would hardly fill the hd
and stave OF the creditors
THAT was the time when Ernest
peared once again at his fathe1
house. In the roopb when he n
announced, were the old mercha&
James and Minna, Ernest came n
not badly dressed. but unmistaka{
out of place among the mahoganys1
( the Persian1rugs. He stood still, q
prised at meeting Minna there. thoa1
he might have been prepared Mn
greeted him coldly
This is your son, Ernest" she
to the old man, who, half blind,
on the lounge, his face turned ind
lngly toward the newcomer.
II have no SON. answered Hen
Farleigh. When he comes BACH
prosperous man I shall receive
again: r will help him no more"
"Ycu hear that?" inquired Jad 4
coldly. 'Good-morning This is
house" So
Ernest laughed. IL was not
timid, deprecating laugh of ford
days. but ringing laugh of heal
amusement
81 understood that this house
for SALE he said.
whats that?" cried Henry A.
leigh sharply Your house for
James? He must be crazy. | a
you this house"
|, James Farleigh had never tal1
Nina or the merchant into his "A
dence. Supremacy selfish and ed
tical he had covered beneath
blow. hoping to keep them in id
ance until Minna had settled
money on him
He's just lying" answered Ja
coldly
Ernest Farleigh laughed again.
no I'm not lying" he said II
the title deed, under my coat
bought this house yesterday. Jam
t.What's .that?" shouted tn,
man. addressing his son for the
time. Have you made your fori
: Ernest7"
. Not yet" answered Ernest.
. a couple OF million that PICKED
, on the west coast. Father-
{ voice faltered as he crossed the
!, and sat down Upon the cor
r father, guess you were rigA
> YOUR estimate of me before.
have succeeded now; and I've
t..,.< r,t,rnnuoa.i e.