El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-10-07
''Ready Money" A Story
Based on the Successful Play by
James Montgomery; Published by
Permission of VIM. A. Brady.
S STEPHEN BAIRD left the lit


and walked slowly toward the park
To have gone more quickly was quite
impossible, as the streets and side
walks were literally packed with peo-
pie, pushing and jostling each other,
moving slowly in twos and tours, arm
in arm, I'D one side and down the
other. with two or three traffic po-
Hcemen at each corner directing the
never-ending procession Horns were
footing, bells ringing, boys and girls
laughing, and often above the din and
noise, was heard a scream from some
unsuspecting miss whose ear was the
receptacle for a handful of confetti.
It was New Years Eve, and no hol-
iday eve is quite so Bohemian IN New
York New Years Evel The one night
in the year when worry, business, care
and trouble are forgotten; the night
when bright lights good cheer, friends
and companions blend into one long,
loud revel. New Years Eve! The night
of magic as soon as the lights are
turned on along the Great White way
Broadway, with its restaurants
crowded by people who pay fabulous
vance. Fifth avenue with its restau-
rants crowded by bankers. brokers
and milliOnaires who planned their
banquets months in advance New
Years Evei And Stephen Baird, pos
sessed of but twenty-five cents,
walked slowly home with nothing to
cheer him but a fOrlorn hope that way
out in Arizona the men who worked
for a year might. at the last moment,
discover gold in the mine in which he
had invested his entire fortune.
stephen Baird had opened an office
in Wall street. but had only sold
one block of Skyrocket stock during
the entire year. Summer HOlbrOok.
young broker, convinced by Stephens
arguments, invested $500, and that
money had been sent to Mike Rear
don, the foreman and partner, to pay
off the men.
When Baird bought an option on the
mine for $4,000 he had to borrow an
additional $4,000 to take title to the
property from Morgan, owner of the
adjacent mine, who took Stephens
note, secured by a mortgage on Sky
rocket. The note had to be paid on
January .2nd or Baird would havei to
forfeit his mine and the original S1O,-
600 he had invested in the option. He
had no more idea as to where to get
$4,000 than how he could even send
Reardon the $500 salaries due the
miners. In fact he figured that by
visiting the same Eighth avenue res
taurant on New Yer's Day he could
manage a fairly decent meal by fore
going breakfast and saving his last
quarter for dinner.
Baird occupied a room in the ap-
partmert of his friend, sam WEIGH, a
young man whose father supplied
him with plenty of money, but whose
hospitality towards Baird had never
reached the stage of charity to "a
ehap who Is down IS down now and
might be up tomorrow" Sam made
stephen use the rooms as if they were
MS own but Stephens sensitive real
1zation of his own poverty raised
barrier, which prevented the accept
ance of any hospitality beyond the
lodgings" as he called it. He did need
respectable lodgings. What would the
Tylers think if he moved into a cheap
room? Mrs Tyler had already begun
10 show her d5spleaSure. She did not
want to spoil Grace's chances for a
suitable match. and an unsuccessful
mining promoter was hardly an ad-
mlrable sutton for the hand of James
Tylers daughter. But Grace had
never intimated any lack of faith IN
Stephens ability. She still wore his
engagement ring, and, although he
had only twenty-five cents left. there
was some consolation in the thought
that she still believed in him.
Sam WEIGH was waiting for his
guests He had planned an informal
New Years Eve party. Sydney Rosen-
baum. the insurance broker. had had
good year and received bonus of
$4,000 from the firm. William Stew
art, the real estate man, received
$4,000 from his employer as an ap-
father sent him a check for So 600 to
invest in some business, and prove
himself capable.
Mr. and Mrs James Tyler. the Misses
Grace and Ida Tyler, and Miss Mar
Saret Elliott arrived in due time
Where IS Stephen asked Grace.
He'll probably be in later, but
we won't wait for him." replied sam
I've left word with Neil that wen
save place for him downstairs"
I do hope he won't disappoint US"
said Grace as she took Sans arm"
ne can be long now said Sam,
and. with a final admOnition to his
servant to send Mr.. Baird to the cafe,
he escorted his guests to the elevator.
Where's Mr.. Baird2'
Hhe hasn't come in yet, Mr.. Nor
gan answered Neil
Morgan, one of the wealthiest mine
owners IN the west, stopped in on mis-
way to a New Years supper. He was
Just about TO leave when Stephen.
his coat collar still turned up, met
him at the door.
Happy New Year, Mr.. Morgan
said Baird
Same to you" replied Morgan.
i wanted to be first in something
said Stephen, everything else is
Don't worry. Baird. you're a bright
young man with a great future. You'll
pun out al right ! just dropped in
TO remind you about that note-it's due
IN a day or so, you know"
With a last effort Stephen begged
Morgan to extend the note. but the
mine owner refused. saying the loan
was not a personal one. but was made
by the corporation. He offered to
loan Baird $500 personally. but did not
nave the cash or a blank check with
him, SO he promised to bring it to
Stephen the next day.
And Baird still had his quarter. He
was aroused from his disconsolate
reverie by Grace. She and Sidney had
slipped away from the others to per-
suade stephen to join them. We've
saved place for you. Stephen and L
want you to join us 1t means a great
deal tonight" said Grace.
i m sorry. dear. but I can't go
down there tonight"
Very well. Stephen. we're going to
80 back to just where We started a
year ago I want you to take this"
She removed the engagement ring
and handed it to Stephen.
(TO be COntinued.)