The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-06-25

"Pray don't let it disturb you, Mr..
Bancroft. / shall not use them to-
day."
"They will be properly filed b. to.
morrow"
Thank you"
He disappeared. She relaxed In the
familiar, comfortable old leather-cush.
ioned chair, and closed her eyes.
There was sharp little line between
them, but it was hidden by the veil.
The door opened slowly ind Red.
mond Wrandall came into tie room.
She arose at once.
"Tbis is-er-an unexpected pleas,
ure, Sara" he said perplexed and Ill
at-ease. He stopped just inside the
door he had been careful to close be-
hind him, and did not offer her his
hand.
"I came down to attend to some
business, Mr.. Wrandall," she said.
"Business?" he repeated, staring.
She took note Of the tired, haggard
look in his eyes, and the tightly
compressed lips.
81 intend to dispose Of my entire III
terest in Wrandall & Co." she an
nounced calmly.
He took a step forward, plainly
startled by the declaration.
whats this?" he demanded sharp
ly.
eve may as well speak plainly, Mr..
Wrandall," she said "You do not
care to have me remain member Of
the firm, nor do I blame you for feel
ing as you do about IT. A year ago
you offered to buy mo out-or off, as
took it to be at the time. had rea-
sons then for not selling out to you.
Today I am ready either to buy or to
SELL
"You-you amaze me-" he exclaim-
ed.
Does you offer of last December
still stand?"
'T-I think we would better have
Leslie in, Sara. This is most unex-
pected I don't quite feel up to-"
Have Leslie in by all means" she
said, resuming her seat.
He hesitated moment, opened his
lips as If to speak, and then abruptly
left the room.
Sara smiled.
Many minutes passed before the two
Wrandalls put in an appearance. She
understood the delay. They were
telephoning to certain legal advisers.
Whats this hear, Sara?" demand
ed Leslie, extending his hand after a
seconds hesitation.
She shook hands with him, not list
lessly but with the vigor born of nerv-
BUSINESS.
81 don't know what you've heard" !"
she said pointedly.
His slim fingers went searching for
the end Of his moustache.
"Why-why, about selling out to
u.s." he stammered
81 am willing to retire from the firm
Of Wrandall & Co.," she said.
Father says the business is as good
as it was year ago, but don't agree
with him." said the son, trying to
look lugubrious.
Then you don't care to repeat your
original propositions"
well, the way business has been
falling Off"
Perhaps you would prefer to sell
out to me-" she remarked quietly.
"Not at ALL" he said quickly, with
a surprised glance at his father. 1--WE
couldn't think of letting the business
pass out Of the Wrandall name
"You forget that my name is Wran.
dall," she rejoined There would be
no occasion to change the firm s
name; merely its membership"
"Our original offer stands" said the
senior Wrendall stiffly. 1--WE prefer
to buy"
"And 1 to SELL Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow, gentlemen. He
will represent me as usual. Our busi-
ness as well as social relations are
about to end, suppose. My only re-
gret is that I cannot further accom-
modate you by changing my name.
Still you may live in hope that time
may work even that wonder for you. y
She arose. The two men regarded
her in an aggrieved way for a mo-
ment
"I have no real feeling Of hostility
toward you, Sara" said Leslie nerv-
ously, Gin spite Of all that you said
the other night"
81 am afraid you don't mean that,
deep down in your heart, Leslie" she
said, with a queer little smile
"But l d." he protested. Hang it
all, we've live in a glass house our
selves, Sara. dare say. IN way,
was quite as unpleasant as the rest
Of the family. You see, we just can't
help being snobs. It's in us, that's all
there is to it.
Mr. Wrandall looked up from the
floor, his gaze having dropped at the
first outburst from his sons lips.
We've prefer to be friendly, Sara,
II you will allow US"
She laughed and the old gentleman
stopped in the middle Of his sentence
eve can't be friends. Mr.. Wran-
dall," she said. suddenly serious. "The
pretence would be a mockery. We
are all better off If we allow our paths,
our interests to diverge today"
Perhaps you are right" said he,
COMPRISING his lips.
81 believe that Vivian and I could
but no. l won't go so far as to say
that either. There is something genu-
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