Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-09-16


and fifty thousand dollars from the
father of the girl l loved. Noblet
Perhaps.
But wouldn't 1t have been lot
more foolish? That old mans money
was ready to be taken by the first
slick worker that came along. Do you
suppose sending me to Jail would
have satisfied Mike Garven? Not on
your life!
Another one of his men would have
been put right on the job, following
UP the lead I'd made. Just give me
the benefit of the doubt, please.
It's mighty easy to lay back and fig.
ure out what person ought to do;
it's a whole lot different when you get
there yourself.
"The stock certificates ought to be
ready day after tomorrow" Mike
took UP the conversation where he had
left off, his pencil working on another
piece of paper.
"Good-by," I choked, jamming on
my hat.
"Good-by, jim" He spoke with
out looking up; and there was no tri-
umph, or gloating, or even satisfac.
tion in his voice. l don't think he
had ever known an emotion.
Outside of his office leaned weak
ly against the building and wiped the
sweat from my forehead. l was still
shaking from helpless rage, and
needed a drink.
In nearby cafe I happened 10
glance at a clock and was amazed to
see that 1 had still time to keep my
engagement with Alice and her faith.
er.
Somehow It seemed an eternity
since l had been in that quiet lobby
smoking and dreaming. How did
have the nerve to face them?
My years of training had nerved me
to it., guess. And at the hotel Alice
hailed me gaily, her winsome face
alight with joy as l approached.
you're ten MINUTES late, she cen.
sured laughingly. "Where have you
been, Sir Guide?"
business date" lied easily. Oh,
but those years of playing my conf
dence games stood me in good stead
now.
"See the busy business man." she
recited primly, like the child she was.
Father Is also performing his morn
ing duty, though he has complained of
the Bourbon every single day we've
been here"
Good whisky, to those who appre-
ciate it." I smiled, sis almost as hard
to find in New York as good friends"
"Unless one is very, very lucky"
she said with soft significance, smil-
ing up at me. 4 spent two long days
of dreadful loneliness in this big city
before Providence sent you, my
friend"
The straightforward frankness OF
1t was like the lash Of whip across my
unprotected face. A good friend!
God save the mark!
But the years of gambling and
playing of "con" games had made
immobility of face second nature, for
I smiled my thanks-smiled as Judas
Iscariot must have smiled. I think.
But l didn't speak.
For minute we sat in silence, side
by side on the broad leather settee
there in the alley; she with her chin
resting on her knuckles, her elbow on
her knee, watching the men and wom-
en- who lounged or walked up and
down with eyes alert with interest.
"Mr. Haviland," she said suddenly,
seriously, "have you ever had dream
"a beautiful dream that you have
seen shattered, but still refuse to be.
lieve is shattered, because another
dream comes which restores the
pieces and builds 1t anew once more?"
A dream? No. But hideous reality.
'Yes!" My sharp intake of breath
seemed to form that word.
But she was too deep in her
thoughts to notice.
perhaps my words do not make
the idea quite clear" she went on,
still in that musing tone of voice.
"But the power-plant On the Little Ha-
eel river seems to have been dream
DuI IL was a dItdIu ludl
cluded daddy and old Uriah Calvin
and Mr.. James and the others, while
the reality is of strangers who are not
of us or with u.s."
"But isn't 1t better that way" I
asked gently. "The men who will
have charge are business men. They
can make the power-plant a lot more
productive and powerful than could
body of men who were not familiar
with the details of such a scheme.
Her look was instantly reproachful.
"You don't think that daddy and
the others could make a success of
it?" she exclaimed in wonderment.
Then there came just shade of
scorn in her voice. perhaps they
aren't the kind of men New Workers.
would consider capable of thing
like that, Mr.. Haviland, but the ones
who need the power and would pay
for 1t are southerners"
She drew herself up proudly.