Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-03-10
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3 AN INVESTMENT +:
J IN LOVE +:
? 1t Was a Complicated {
!, Business. Z
, By EUGENE A. vOCT :
By EUGENE A. vOCT
o Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Aon SohuSou sat Ii lne private
office Of the Acme-Johnson Grocery
company, Of which commanding es.
adjustment he was president and prac-
tcally sole owner.
| Curtis. the confidential young man of
Johnson's own business rearing, was
with him. as usual. at this hour
oclock-to receive his superior's final
instructions for the day.
| We'll" concluded Mr.. johnson In
that icy tone the meaning Of which
none knew better than Curtis, that's
settled. II that Marden note Is not
paid tomorrow you go ahead and fore
close the mortgage. This presumIng
on old friendship and that sort of rot
VIII not 60. I've renewed 1t once. and
I'm tired Of it"
| Curtis smiled and nodded as he shut
down the top Of his chiefs desk. The
latter had turned to go. but stopped
suddenly.
by lover he exclaimed. II almost
forgot My little girl is twenty-one to
day." The diplomatic Curtis merely
smiled his congratulations. Hand me
my private check book. Curt" ordered
Johnson. "Tll take It home with me-"
Emil. the porter Of Charles Thran's
leaf tobacco establishment on Water
street, New York. was the first MEM
Der of that firms force to gasp as
Edna, Glenwish Johnson's daughter.
alighted from her electric car and
briskly entered his part of the house.
II should like to see Miss Grace
Marden. Mr.. Thran's stenographer,"
she said sweetly.
Right in there. lady" he said.
pointing toward the inner office.
Hello. Edna" came Thran's voice.
CHEEKY and cordial. What on earth
brings you way down to Water
street,"
Il came down to see Grace on bust
ness, Mr.. Thran. You don't mind let
ting me speak to her In private for
few minutesY'
Thran patted the girls cheek with
the familiarity OF very old friend
and tremendously bowed himself out
Of his own office. softly closing the
door behind him Presently. however,
the door Of the private office opened
and Edna stood at the threshold, her
face rather pale and her pose unsteady.
please come In. Mr.. Thran," she
pleaded TREMENDOUSLY.
Mr.. Thran re-entered his sanctum
only to find that his troubles had just
begun. His young stenographer was
huddled In her chair disturbingly near
the verge Of tears.
II can't do a thing with her, Mr..
Thran," began Edna fercely. II do
wish you would make her do 1t: l
can't"
what is 1t, Edna p he inquired. with
real concern.
THE whole thing In a nutshell Is
this: Mr.. Marden. this foolish girls IA
Their, owes papa 5000, and II 1t isn't
paid before o'clock today papa says
he will foreclose the mortgage or some
thing, and Grace and Uncle Bully John
Marden will be homeless. Now, was
twenty-one yesterday, and papa gave
me a check for 5000 as a birthday
gift. was 30 happy about 1t. know
ing that 1t would Just cover the amount
Uncle John owes papa, and now Grace
-Grace-she won't take It Please
make her take 1t, Mr.. Thran."
please, Mr.. Thran," now came ap-
pealingly from the other girl, please
do not try to make me do this thing.
God knows appreciate Edna's motives,
and I love her all the more for her
kindly intentions. But I cannot take
this money from her"
Edna" be said very tenderly. you
are a very kind. dear girl, and am
proud to know you. But you do not
understand, my dear. l am truly very
sorry for both Of you"
johnson would gladly have paid the
I've thousand himself. but was afraid
of that man Curtis. After twelve years
of patient work to make real busi-
ness man out Of his young conf1den-
tial man Johnson did not dare to make
80 sentimental a proposition.
So he had carefully planned 1t all,
had presented Edna with the check
and an admonition to invest 1t as she
saw at, and then dexterously apprised
her of Marden's Indebtedness to him
and the inevitable consequences OF
failure to meet the note the next day.
Johnson only heard Of the miscar-
rage of his plan at about 2 o'clock
that afternoon. Returning to his pri-
vste Office from luncheon at that hour.
be found his daughter on the verge OF
tears, with the check In her hand.
'Oh. papa, Grace won't take the
check. won't let me help her-me. her
best friend"
He turned to his daughter. smiling
grimly. The girl placed the piece OF
paper she had been holding In his
hands.
.Come along with me. dearie. You
do not have to ask Grace Marden or
any one else to pay that note. All you