Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06


They viii be properly filed by to-
morrow"
| Thank you"
He disappeared She relaxed in the
familiar, comfortable old leather-cush-
Toned chair. and closed her eyes.
There was a sharp little line between
them, but 1t was hidden by the veil
| The door opened slowly and Red
mond Wrandall came into the room.
She arose at once.
This is-er--an unexpected pleas
ure, Sara" he said perplexed and i'll
at-ease. He stopped just inside the
door he had been careful to close be-
hind him. and did not offer her his
| hand
II came down to attend to some
business, Mr. wrandall," she said.
"Businessw he repeated, staring.
She took note of the tired, haggard
look In his, eyes, and the tightly
compressed lips.
Il intend to dispose Of my entire In
terest In WrandaIl q Co.," she an
nounced calmly
He took step forward. plainly
startled by the declaration.
Whats this?" he demanded sharp
iy
I'VE may as well speak plainly, Mr.,
Wrandall,' she said. You do not
care to have me remain member OF
the firm. nor do blame you for feel
ing as you do about it. A year ago
you offered to buy me out-or off as
I took it to be at the time. had rea-
sons then for not selling out to you.
Today / am ready either to buy or to
SELL"
''You-you amaze me-" he exclaim-
ed.
Does you offer of last December
still standr'
tt think we would better have
Leslie IN, Sara. This is most unex-
pected. 7 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
4 Sara smiled
Many minutes passed before the two
Wrandalls put in an appearance. She
understood the delay. They were
4 telephoning to certain legal advisers.
What's this hear, Sara?" demand
ed Leslie, extending his hand after 9
seconds hesitation.
i She shook hands with him, not list
/ lessly but with the vigor born of nerv
i 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
Il am willing to retire from the firm
of Wrandall & Co.," she said.
Father says the business is as good
as 1t was year ago, but don't agree
with him. said the son. trying tt
look lugubrious.
Then you don't care to repeat YOU
original propositions"
Well, the way business has beer
falling Off"
Perhaps you would prefer to sci
out to me-" she remarked quietly.
"Not at ALI" he said quickly, will
surprised glance at his father "W,
couldn't think of letting the business
pass out Of the Wrandall name"
you forget that my name Is Wran
DALI" she rejoined. There would b,
! no occasion to change the firm
/ name; merely It's membership"
Our original offer stands" said tn
senior Wrandall stiffiy. 1--WE prefe
to buy"
''And to sell. Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow, gentlemen. H
will represent me as usual. Our busi
ness as we'll as social relations ar
, about to end, suppose. My only re
greet is that cannot further accom-
modate you by changing my name
Still you may live in hope that tim
may work even that wonder for you
I She arose. The two men regarde,
her in an aggrieved way for a me
, ment
Il have no real feeling Of hostilit,
toward you, Sara" said Leslie nery
ously, Sin spite of all that you sail
, the other night
II am afraid you don't mean that
deep down in your heart, Leslie" sh
said. with queer little smile
4But I do" he protested Hang |
, all, we've live In a glass house our
selves, Sara. dare say. In a way,
was quite as unpleasant as the res
of the family. You see, we just can
, help being snobs. It's in us, that's al
, there is to It,"
Mr. Wrandall looked up from tn
floor, his gaze having dropped at tn
, first outburst from his sons lips.
We've prefer to be friendly, Sara
, IL you will allow US"
She laughed and the old gentleman
, STONED in the middle of his sentence