Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-24
CHAPTER xv11-tcontlnued).

CHAPTER XVIT-(Continued).
The words were uttered almost In the
tone of quiet command. Miss Balantyne
snrapg to her feet, her hands clasped
against her breast
"pardon me, sit down please, and hear
me out" He had not risen; and the girl
almost against her will. sat down again.
oI am man, as you know. of wide In
nuence and some success in the world Of
business. l have made my success by
neyer deviating from the path l have
laid out. While others have hesitated, 1
have gone straight ahead, turning neither
10 the right nor to the left until / have
obtained what 1 sought. 1 tell this not
to boast, but in order that you may kno"
with what sort of man you have to
DEAL"
He paused n moment, and she found
time 10 say. somewhat ironically:
"you seem to regard this as merely an
other business matter, sir!'
"Yes, and no." he answered, quietly.
"But want you to see how essential Is
nv influence to your cause. / can COM
Imand unlimited financial support, when
will assure you of success. My knoWl-
edge of this matter, no less than my
standing, will be absolutely invaluable 10
you Think what 1t means, my dear MISS
Ballantyne j. Baron Helderman is not
accustomed to making such offers as
this; nor is he accustomed to being re-
ilsed!'
"Nor is Wilhelmlna Ballantyne accus-
TONED to being bargained for, like so
much bank stock'' retorted the girl.
As she confronted him with scorntui'
flashing eyes, Helderman far from being
repelled seemed to be attracted all the
more It ls the charm of the unattaln-
able which makes the priced object all
the deareT.
81 crave your pardon for speaking OF
the-practical side. first" he said, in low
earnest tones, bending toward her we
men of affairs are too apt to forget that
it's love that makes the world go round.
Will you give me credit for sincerity
when I say that ever since l first saw
you, on the Gothic, 1 have hoped and
worked and longed for the moment when
could pour out my heart to you! My
desire TO serve you is but a part of this
expression. 1 love you, as 1 never loved
gold, or power-as l never believed IL
possible to love any woman'
''Stop, Mr.. Helderman! Do you think
II is quite honorable to make business
engagement the pretext for any such
ayowal as ths?"
"Can you not believe me" he pleaded,
Looking at his fervent, adoring eyes,
the girl felt with the swift instinct OF
womanhood that he was telling the truth
about his passion, however she might
doubt his other pretensions. And granted
this premise, he was a man quite des-
perate enough TO go to any extremes
even to the betraying of the other wom-
an, II she were his accomplice-to the
furnishing of his desires. She resolved
once more to bo cautious, to temporize.
"You-you would not expect me to give
you a definite answer tonight, Mr.. Hell
derman-unless 1t were negative one
''At any other time. l should not De SO
Urgent" he replied, almost fiercely. But
a great many things hang upon your de-
cision."
do you mean to-threaten me, Mr.
Hederman?"
by no means, child-but you need pro-
lection right now-this week."
Why 1 am not so alone, so helpless
as you would infer"' she blazed up.
There Is my ather-and-and-"
THE precious Mr., Rutherford! he
sneered. Your father does not dare ap.
pear in this matter. He is suspected of
serious crime
What do you mean, sir!"
The young woman had drawn herself
. her full height, and was looking at
MIN In blaze OF Indignation.
Why mean-if you must know-a
ssrlous smuggling plot And Mr., Craig
rutherford is also being trailed by Gov
eminent detectives"
False! AS false in the one case as
m The other!" she stormed.
An You are quite champion of his,
! see! But the young man-does he-ah.
return your trust?"
was chance thrust, but a home
uFust. The girl could only reply by tap
ping little bell. Sophie appeared at the
MI HIderman cannot be detained