Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1915-07-23

I'VE, hb no SAT 81 us Q6Sk IN u6-
Jected and listless attitude. It was
10:45 and he was still alone; still
awaiting the arrival Of his son-in-law
and business partner, whose support
and help he needed more at this time
than he had ever needed It before.
And then came blow from an un-
expected quarter.
II was delivered In an ordinary en-
velope by a very ordinary messenger
boy, and 1t was altogether q very
plain, businesslike document. But
its effect on the already discouraged
business man could not have been
worse If 1t had been dropped from
above by winged messenger Of the
gods Of financial ruin:
Mr.. Russell Irwin,
City.
Dear Sir-As Mr. Clay failed to apply
for an extension last night, have placed
for collection, the note hold against r.
win 8 Clay for a loan of $4,000. Out of
the city today and Sunday. You must
Settle MONDAY.
THOMAS NEAL,
Dazed and stunned, and seemingly
bending under weight of suddenly
added years, Irwin CROPPED angrily for
the telephone and in an imperative
tone called for his partners house
number.
Hello, Clay, this your Well, hurry
down-while you have been dallying
at home we have gone under-we're
ruined completely smashed"
This was the message that had
startled Clay at his late breakfast.
Irwin wasted no time In nrelimi.
nariss when Clay hurriedly entered
the fiym's luxurtously furnished pr.
vate Offices.
Fine business" he shouted. angeily
showing the letter At Ills Junior part.
ner. Fine business this, missing an
appointment Of such Importance; neg.
laCting to secure the extension Of that
note; fine business.
Clay, confused and ashamed, an
swered nothing.
"Oh. Edgar. Edgar, I trusted you,"
continued the other man. my only
folly has been that placed any re-
sponsibillty on you. And this IL the
result. Why didn't you get the extern
sion on that note?"
II forgot" began Clay In schoolboy
fashion. Il forgot. I meant to at
tend to it. To tell you the truth I
started for Neal's Office, but met
some or the boys there and Ill,
well. l made a night of 1t. forgot
business and everything else. l.
well, you know my weakness, Rus
SELL"
eyes, know your weakness. I
know, too, that you inherited II from
your poor, dead father. Perhaps you
are not entirely to blame. l should
have known better than to have left
so important detail to you,
Il might have known what the re-
suit would be: l might have known.
You were drunk and we are ruined"
Earnestly but without passion the
two men entered into discussion Of
ways and means.
So earnestly were they engaged in
conversation that neither heard the
entrance Of Isabelle. Her manner was
still nervous and the agitated state Of
her mind was betrayed. If In no other
way, by the restless fash in her eye
and the quick, sharp jerk Of her.
words: :
Z hope I'm not Intruding, gentle.
men. - q sRsHis.
They both started.
One look at Isabelle's frankly op66
Countenanoe assured them that she
had not overheard their discussion
and both men breathed more easily.
Il came to get some money, I'd.
gar"
But your allowance, chiId3" i'm
terposed the father. You've drawn,
It in advance now"
Il know, father, but I lost It.
played at Cora's-at Mrs. Blake's, and
now, unless l can get some money at
once, my name will be ruined. sim
ply must pay my gambling debts.
They are debts Of honor and must be
met"
Perhaps II Isabelle had made her
demand at more opportune time;4
perhaps II Clay had been less harsh
in his refusal, old King Folly might
have been foiled; might have lost two
promising victims, and what follows
might never have been written.
II can't give you a cent, isabelle"
he shouted, land If you foolishly gam.
bic again, I'll repudiate your debts"
VERY we'll, Edgar" she answered
coldly, what follows will be on your
own head" And haGghtily, majestic
ally-like a queen Of tragedy-she
swept from the room, leaving the two
men still more depressed t6 WrestiS
with their problem--a problem that
seemed without answer. And there
we too. will leave them for the pres.
emit.
III.
Peter West lay dying. And the SCI
cret that was dying with him grew
heavy on his conscience. At the very
time that Edgar Clay and his partner