Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-04-01
CHAPTER XXI.
Brand, the immutabls.
HV MHAI

ana1 Brand, despite all appearances.
ssd deliberately sold Reynolds out,
vas not certain. But In Dicks mind
snsre was no doubt about It He saw,
" Imagined an Interior motive that
MADE 1t 9 reasonable conclusion. but
20 dared not reveal his suspicious to
boo. Dick had never believed the mil
nonaire persisted in his excursions to
staten Island merely Tor financial
oenent to either Bob or himself. He
accounted for Brands first appearance
ON the grounds Of self-interest and the
subsequent visits he attributed to In
serest In Mrs. Reynolds. That he could
% % penurious as to actually scheme
!" get back the stipend he had melted
out 70 Bob did not appeal to Dick.
satner. For, whatever the amount waa,
sne young writer knew Il was but d
supend to Brand. He believed that
the capitalist wished to crush Rey-
nolds and raise such an insuperable
barrier to his success that he would
succumb and become aIienated from
his wife through hopeless realisation
o. his own unworthiness. But there
was Mrs, Brand to consider In this
'ine OF deduction and the millionaire
aad never given sufficient evidence OF
rnloyalty to warrant It At least. not
enough to arouse such thoughts In
Bob.
But ycung Meade. usually 90 far Sec
ing, had drawn cursory perspective
and perhaps = prejudiced one. For
Dicks antipathy to Brand was found
Cd on two things. He despised him -
the tyaducer OF Bob and he hated him
for his associations with Jane; the
more bitterly, too, because Brand had
removed her from the sphere OF his
own intimacy. In short, Dick was
Jealous OF Brand, though he did not
snalyze his feeling in Just that way.
When the cataclysm had come for
Bob that afternoon--when the ticker.
chat instrument OF Joy. or torture, had
seld him OF his ruin, he had found but
one definite conclusion. He would ask
BRAND to meet the overdraft ON his
eank and call 1t quits. He had been
prompted to attempt what now stood
out clearly as q criminal act, through
failure to secure an expected mortgage
on his home and through belief that he
would win on the stock. Tho house.
fortunately, was still unincumbered,
but In the face of failure he shrank
from reducing Jane to absolute pow
cry and had determined to ask this
tnal boon OF Brand. He had tele-
graphed the millionaire asking him to
come that evening before the theater
party.
Now. Dicks revelation gave an en-
drely different aspect to the case. Bob
had lost and Brand had won and Brand
could afford to pay. True, the million
sire had not told him to buy ConsoIi-
dated Wire that day, but he had not
advised him not to, and II Brand knew
enough to get In on the right side of
the collapse. he must have known the
crash WAS coming many hours before
It did. There were rumors in the street
that the concern had gone into the
hands OF receiver. II this were true
the capitalist must surely have been
warned Of It He was very close to
the officers Of the company, Reynolds
vas positive.
Young Meade passed two more hours
With q most unsociable host who in
sisted that he remain but who sat
either In moody silence or paced the
door amid his mental Negotiations of
Brand. impatient for his arrival. He
went up to his room for moro cigar.
cites and while he was gone the mil.
arrived. Dick went to him
snillng pleasantly as Frieda admitted
him.
Hello. Mr.. Brand" he greeted. with
extended hand. I'VE meet once more.
though I've given you quite rest"
Brand took the hand and dropped II
quickly al II the mere act OF touching
II were ample condensation on his
part.
How DO you do. Mr.. -- forgot
your name" he added lightly. He
spoke ~ II 1t were Of little conss-
Suence. anyway.
Meade. Richard Meade" Dick
prompted. unahashed.
~Oh, yes: still on the newspaper"
mo, I'm nearly respectable now"
lie reporter answered. Magazines"
Brand looked relieved He handed
bis hat and coat to Frteda and ad-
vanced to the fireplace.
Thought you might be here to see
yosr friend on . story OF some kind"
b veatured. II believe you haven't
ss>a much Of each other for year or
%. Where 10 Reynolds now7" be I'm
nhsA, 1t having Just occurred to him
fnat he had not inquired for him.
Upstairs for q minute" Dick told
him. Hes expecting you He'll be
right down Bob 10 sort OF shot to
pieces tonight thought he would be
and that's what brought me around
Thought might be OF some help to
aim"
Tho millionaire raised his head
quickly and looked searchingfy at
Esade
Help Why, does he need helpf" he
asked with some asperity.
i think hs does-a little. Haven't
you heardf Hasn't Henning told
ycGf-
"Heuning 2" anapusd pr.ns frrs.anrv