Middletown transcript., 1914-04-11

/ Inc DeSC cneWln8 gum In Lne WOrld!
She looked at him with the serious
light Of real reproof in her incompar-
able eyes. II don't think there's any
doubt about it, Mr.. Jones. The trust
people realize 1t. If they don't, they
certainly wouldn't be willing to pay
a million dollars for It,"
They're willing to pay more than
that for it." he told her, feeling for
the first time a real interest in the
conversation. Before that he had been
absorbed only by the conversationalist.
Twelve hundred thousand they've Of
fered."
She was not pleased. 'I didn't think
you knew that" she confessed. "They
made that offer to your uncle several
months ago"
"But what I've got to find out is
this: Am In position to hold out
against the trust for a bigger price?
You see, friend of mine advises me
to hold out. Is business good, right
now?"
why, yes. We did over hundred
and twenty thousand dollars last
month"
This was exciting news, and it ex-
cited him. "a hundred and twenty
thousand dollars worth Of business
last month! Can I go down to the
bank and get that money now?"
She laughed at his commercial igno-
rance. why, certainly mott"
For an instant his heart sank as he
contemplated saying what he felt that
he must say, sank doubly deep be-
cause he felt that the confession he
must make might possibly disturb the
good opinion of him which he hoped
he had renewed in her peculiarly lucid
mind. But there was something in her
eyes that gave him confidence. And
there was nothing for it but confes-
sion.
you don't understand" he Yentured
stumblingly. This is-er-between
us The fact is-Tm broke! 1 am in
debt! l must get some quick money
and want to know how much you
have in bank, right now"
Our caSn DaIance!
"Yes."
She thought deeply for a moment.
Then she looked up with a smile of
triumph. "Over eighteen thousand
dollars, should say"
He was dismayed. "Only eighteen
thousand dollars! And you did
business of hundred and twenty
thousand dollars last MONTH"
His manner worried her. 'T hope
you're not thinking seriously of going
over"
Going over where?"
ITO the trust"
why? Don't you think the price
they offer is big enough?"
ut isn't a question Of price. Mr..
Jones, she said, with flashing eyes,
tits the principle Of the thing"
You'll have to explain that to me-"
why, think of what you're selling!"
she exclaimed. 1T is the thing your
worked for and handed |
down to your father; the thing that
he worked for and handed down to
you; the thing that you should work
for and hand down to your children,
then to their children, and so on and
on. Why, think of what you're sell
Ing!"
He was little dazed, but, still. he
surely needed money. Il don't see
where there's any sentiment connect
ed with the thing"
you don't!" She gazed at him. a.
-onished, and rose and stood beside
he table, looking down at him.
Would you ruin the town in which
you were born? Why, your grand.
,ather was the founder of this town.
Mr.. Jones! Would you see seven hum
ired men and boys turned out of their
Would you see the very
bread and butter taken from the
mouths of families?"
He felt he must defend himself. ex-
'lain himself. well, that's not nv
ault. I'm awfully sorry, but can't
lelp it. l don't see how can help it."
Her voice was deep and sorrovfuI.
eproachful, warning, pleading. stir.
ing. I'D give it very serious thought
were you, Mr.. Jones" Then the
imbre of enthusiasm crept into her
ones and stirred him deeply. "Oh. IT
would be perfectly great of Won IN {
tand by and protect the people Of this ]
title town! You've a chance to do /
very. very big-a really '
wonderful thing! I hope you'll do f." t
He shook his head, but not emphat- '
cally. {
"And I believe you WILL" she added.
nd then her smile returned. {
II must run along, now. You'd bet '
er come to the office tomorrow. as ,
arly as possible. There's a great deal I
0 be done and so many things to be s
Explained I'll expect you at ten in /
he morning, shall II" I
Can make it a quarter past?" b
Very well" She turned away. but,