Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-12-12
CHAPTER XXI.
Brand. the immutabIe.

there was no doubt about 1t. He saw,
or imagined an Interior motive that
made 1t a reasonable conclusion. but
he dared not reveal his suspicious to
Bob. Dick had never believed the mil
lionaire 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 selfinterest and the
subsequent visits he attributed to In
terest In Mrs. Reynolds. That he could
be 80 penurious as to actually scheme
10 get back the stipend he had melted
out to Bob did not appeal to Dick,
either For, whatever the amount was,
the young writer knew II was but
stipend to Brand. He believed that
the capitalist wished to crush Rey-
nolds and raise such an insuperahle
barrier to his success that he would
succumb and become allenated from
his wife through hopeless realization
OF his own unworthiness. 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.
But young Meade usually so far see
Ing, had drawn a cursory perspective
and perhaps prejudiced one. For
Dicks antipathy to Brand was found
cd on two things He despised him as
the traducer OF Bob and he hated him
Tor 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
hualyze 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 It quits. He had been
prompted to attempt what now stood
out clearly as a 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 ahrank
from reducing Jane TO absolute pow.
erty and had determined to ask this
iiual 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 II Brand knew
enough to get in on the right side OF
the collapse. he must have known the
crash was coming many hours before
It did There were rumors IN the street
that the concern had gone into the
hands OF a 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 fagellatlons 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. we meet once more.
though I've given you quite a rest"
Brand took the hand and dropped Il
quickly as II the mere act OF touching
II were ample condescension on his
part,
How do you do. Mr.. 49, forgot
your name" he added lightly. He
spoke as If It were of little conse
Quence, anyway
Meade. Richard Meade" Dick
prompted, unabashed
"Oh. yes still on the newspaper"
NO, I'm nearly respectable now"
the reporter answered Magazines.
Brand looked relieved He handed
his hat and coat 10 Frieda and ad.
Vanced 10 the fireplace.
Thought you might be here TO see
your friend on story Of some kind.
he yentured. Il believe you haven't
seen much Of each other for a year or
SO Where is Reynolds now" no fin.
ished. II having just occurred 10 him
that he had not inquired for him.
Upstairs for a minute" Dick told
him. He's expecting you. He'll be
right down. Bob is s0gt OF shot to
pieces tonight thought he would be
and that's what brought me around
Thought l might be q some help to
him"
The millionaire raised his head
quickly and looked searchlngly a.
Msade
Help? Why. does he need help?" he
asked %5rh some asperitg
81 think he does--a little Haven't
you heard' Hasn't Henning told