The Raymer enterprise., 1915-03-04

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"They will be properly filled by to
morrow"
Thank you"
: He disappeared She relaxed In the
familiar. comfortable old leathercush
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 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.
Il 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.
Il intend to dispose OF my entire In
terest in Wrandall & Co.," she an
nounced calmly.
He took step forward. plainly
startled by the declaration.
What's this," he demanded sharp
ly. =
I'VE may As well speak plainly. Mr..
Wrandall." she said. you do not
care to have me remain a member OF
the firm. nor do blame you for feel
ing as you do about 1t. A year ago
you offered to buy me out-or OF, as
| took 1t 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 stand?"
II think We would better have
Leslie In, Sara. This Is most unex.
pected, | don't quite feel up to"
Have Leslie In by all MEANS" she
said, resuming her seat.
He hesitated a moment, opened his
lips as II 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.
What's this ] hear. Sara!" demand.
cd Leslie, extending his hand after a
seconds hesitation.
She shock hands with him, not list.
lessly but with the vigor born OF nerv-
ousness.
| Il 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
us." he stammered.
Il am willing to retire from the firm
of Wrandall & Co.," .he said.
Father says the business Is as good
as 1t 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 proposition?"
We'll. the way business has been
falling of"
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. I'VE
couldn't think Of letting the business
pass out Of the Wrandall name"
You forget that my name is wran
dali" she retoined. There would be
no occasion to change the firms
name; merely its membership"
Our original offer stands" said the
senior Wrandall stiffy. I'VE prefer
to buy"
And | to sell Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow. gentlemen. He
will represent me as usual. Our bust
ness as well as social relations are
about to end. suppose. My only re-
gret is that cannot further accom-
modate you by changing my name
Still you may live In hope that time
may work even that wonder for you
She arose. The two men regarded
her In an agsrieved way for mo
ment.
Il have no real feeling of hostility
toward you, Sara" said Leslie nerv.
ously, in spite OF all that you said
the other night"
Il am afraid you don't mean that
deep down In your heart. Leslie" she
said, with a queer little smile.
| But do" he protested. Hang It
all. we've live In glass house our.
selves Sara. ! dare say. In a 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. Wran1all looked up from the
ioor his gaze having dropped at the
first outharst from his sons lips.
I'VE we prefer to be friendly, Sara.
II you will allow US"
She laughed and the old gentleman
stopped In the middle of his sentence.
I'VE can't be friends. Mr.. Wran.
DALI" she said. suddenly serious. "The
pretence would be mockery. We
| ara all hoftar off Il uua allan an. -.hi~