The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-04-01

uC OCSS SS
She looked at him with the serious
light OF real reproof in her incompar-
able eyes. T don't think there's any
doubt about it, Mr.. Jones. The trust
people realize it. 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. IT 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 I in a position to mold out
against the trust for a bigger price?
You see, a friend Of mine advises me
to hold out. Is business good, right
now?"
why, yes. We did owe a hundred
and twenty thousand dollars last
month"
This was exciting news, and 1t 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 1t but confes-
sion.
you don't understand" he ventured
stumblingly. This is-er-between
us. The fact is-I'm broke! I I'M in
debt! I must get some quick money.
and I want to know how much you
have in bank, right now"
"Our cash balance?"
"Yes."
She thought deeply for a moment
Then she looked up with a smile Of
triumph. "Over eighteen thousand
. dollars, I should say"
He was dismayed. "Only eighteen
thousand dollars! And you did a
business Of q hundred and twenty
| thousand dollars last month";.
I His manner worried her. 81 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"
1T isn't a question Of price, MI
JONES'" she said, with flashing eyes,
cts the principle Of the thing"
You'll have to explain that to me-"
why, think Of what you're selhng!"
| she exclaimed. 1T is the thing your
grandfather 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 vas a little dazed, but, still, he
bsurely needed money. II don't see
where there's any sentiment connect
ed with the thing"
"You don't!" She gazed at him, as.
tonished. and rose and stood beside
the table, looking down at him.
would you ruin the town in which
you were born? Why, your grand.
father was the founder Of this town,
Mr.. Jones! Would you see seven hun
dred men and boys turned out Of their
employment? Would you see the very
, bread and butter taken from the
mouths Of families?"
He felt he must defend himself, ex-
plain himself. well, that's not my
fault. I'm awfu1ly sorry, but I can't
help it. I don't see how I can help it"
Her voice was deep and sorrowful,
reproachful, warning, pleading, stir
! ring. "I'd give it very serious thought
if I were you. MI. Jones'" Then the
timbre OF enthusiasm crept into her
tones and stirred him deeply. "Oh, it
would be perfectly great Of you to
stand by and protect the people of this
little town! You've a chance to do
something very, very Dig-a' really
wonderful thing! I hope you'll do it."
He shook his head, but not emphat-
ically.
And l believe you WILL" she added,
and then her smile returned.
81 must run along. now. You'd bet.
ter come to the Office tomorrow, as
early as possible. There's a great deal
to be done and so many things 10 be
explained. III expect you at ten in
the morning, shall II"
Can I make it a quarter pasty"