White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-01

DaaC4t VatCIB VI idnul that
threatened to engulf them at any mo-
ment.
A rather distinguished man of fifty
five. as he sat at his desk In q ds-
jected and listless attitude. It was
1O:45 and be 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 1t before.
And then came q blow from an un-
expected quarter.
II was delivered In an ordinary en-
yelope by a very ordinary messenger
boy, and It was altogether a very
plain, businesslike document. But
its effect on the already discouraged
business man could not have been
worse II 1t had been dropped from
above by a winged messenger of the
gods of financial ruin:
Mr.. Russell Irwin,
City.
Dear Sir-As Mr.. Clay failed to apply
for a N extension last night, I have placed
for collection. the note 1 hold against r.
win 4 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 a 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 YOU 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 prelimi-
naries when Clay hurriedly entered
the firms luxuriously furnished pri-
vate offices.
Fine business" he shouted, angrily
showing the letter at his junior part
ner. Fine business this. missing an
appointment of such Importance; neg
lecting to secure the extension OF that
note; fine business"
Clay. confused and ashamed. an
swered nothing.
oh, Edgar, Edgar. | trusted you,"
continued the other man. MY only
folly has been that | placed any re-
sponsibility on you. And this is the
result. Why didn't you get the extern
sion on that note?"
Il forgot" began Clay in schoolboy
fashion. Il forgot. l meant to at
tend to 1t. To tell you the truth |
started for Meals Office. but | met
some of the boys there and IL.
we'll. | made a night of it. l forgot
business and everything else. i
we'll. you know my weakness, Rus
sell"
Yes. I know your weakness. l
know, too. that you inherited 1t from
your poor. dead father. Perhaps you
are not entirely to blame. / should
have known better than to have left
so important a detail to you.
Il might have known what the re-
suit would be: | might have known.
You were drunk and we are ruined"
Earnestly but without passion the
two men entered into a discussion OF
ways and mean
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 flash in her eye
and the quick. sharp jerk of her
words.
Il hope I'm not intruding. gentle
men"
They both started.
One look al lsabelle's frankly open
c~ountenance assured them that she
had not overheard their discussion
and both men breathed more easily.
1 came to get some money, Ed
gar"
But your allowance. child," In
terposed the father. You've drawn
II In advance now"
Il know. father. but I lost 1t.
played at Cora's-at Mrs. Biake's, and
now. unless can get some money at
once. my name will be ruined. 1 sim
ply must pay my gambling debts.
They are debts Of honor and must be
met"
Perhaps IL Isabelle had made her
demand at q more opportuns time;
perhaps II Clay had been less harsh
in his refusal. old King Folly might
have been fooled: might have lost two
promising victims. and what follows
might never have been written.
Il can't give you a cent. Isabelle"
he shouted. land il you foolishly gam
BILE again. I'll repudiate your debts
Very we'll. Edgar" she answered
coldly, what follows will be on your
own head" And haughtily. majestic
ally-like a queen of tragedy-she
swept from the room. leaving the two
men still more depressed to wrestle
with their problem problem that
seemed without answer And there
we too will ipava than for tho nroa-