The citizen., 1914-11-27
CHAPTER XXI.
Brand, the immutabIe.


there was no doubt about It. He saw,
or imagined an Interior motive that
made 1t q reasonable conclusion, but
he dared not reveal his suspicious to
Bob. Dick had never believed the mil
fonaire persisted In his excursions to
Staten Island merely for financial
benefit to either Bob or himself He
accounted for Brands first appearance
on the grounds Of seif-interest and the
subsequent visits he attributed to In
terest In Mrs. Reynolds. That he could
be so penurious as to actually scheme
to get back the stipend he had meted
out to Bob did not appeal to Dick,
either. For, whatever the amount was,
the young writer knew 1t was but a
stipend to Brand. He believed that
the capitalist wished to crush Rey-
nolds and raise such an insuperable
barrier to his success that he would
succumb and become alienated from
his wife through hopeless realization
OF his own unworthinese. But there
was Mrs. Brand to consider in this
line Of deduction and the millionaire
had never given sufficient evidence of
unloyalty to warrant It. At least. not
enough to arouse such thoughts in
Bob. IS.
But young Meade, usually 80 far see-
ing. had drawn a cursory perspective
and perhaps prejudiced one. For
Dicks antipathy to Brand was found
ed on two things. He despised him as
the traducer of Bob and he hated him
for his associations with Jane; the
more bitterly, too, because Brand had
removed her from the sphere of his
own intimacy. In short, Dick was
Jealous of Brand. though he did not
analyze his feeling In just that way.
When the cataclysm had come for
Bob that afternoon-when the ticker,
that instrument OF Joy, or torture. had
told him Of his ruin, he had found but
one definite conclusion. He would ask
Brand to meet the overdraft on his
bank and call 1t quits. He had been
prompted to attempt what now stood
QUE clearly as criminal act, through
failure to secure an expected mortgage
on his home and through belief that he
would win on the stock. The house,
fortunately, was still unincumbered,
but In the face Of failure he shrank
from reducing Jane to absolute pow
erty and had determined to ask this
final boon of Brand. He had tele-
graphed the millionaire asking him to
come that evening before the theater
party.
Now. Dicks revelation gave an en-
tirely different aspect to the case. Bob
had lost and Brand had won and Brand
could afford to pay. True, the million
aire had not told him to buy Consoli-
dated Wire that day, but he had not
advised him not to, and If Brand knew
enough to get In on the right side of
the collapse, he must have known the
crash was coming many hours before
1t did. There were rumors In the street
that the concern had gone into the
hands OF receiver. II this were true
the capitalist must surely have been
warned of 1t. He was very close to
the officers Of the company. Reynolds
was positive.
Young Meade passed two more hours
with most unsociable host who in
sisted that he remain but who sat
either In moody silence or paced the
floor amid his mental hagellations of
Brand. impatient for his arrival He
went up to his room for more cigar.
cites and while he was gone the mil
lIonaire arrived. Dick went to him
smiling pleasantly as Frieda admitted
him.
Hello. Mr.. Brand" he greeted, with
extended hand. I'VE meet once more,
though I've given you quite a rest"
Brand took the hand and dropped Il
quickly as IL the mere act OF touching
1t were ample condescension on his
part.
How do you do, Mr.. - forgot
your name," he added lightly. He
spoke as II It were of little conse-
quence, anyway.
Meade. Richard Meade" Dick
prompted. unabashed.
'Oh. yes:' still ON the newspaper"
mo, I'm nearly respectable now,"
the reporter answered. Magazines"
Brand looked relieved. He handed
his hat and coat to Frieda and ad-
vanced to the fireplace.
Thought you might be here to see
your friend on story of some kind"
he ventured. T believe you haven't
seen much of each other for year or
so. Where is Reynolds now?" he I'm
ished. 1t having Just occurred to him
that he had not inquired for him.
Upstairs for minute" Dick told
him. Hes expecting you. He'll be
right down. Bob Is sort Of shot to
pieces tonight thought he would be
and that's what brought me around.
Thought might be Of some help to
him."
The millionaire raised his head
nufaGIv 1nobod ooc~~hfv -