The Delta independent., 1915-01-01

win send the details by letter to the
inquiring office. Take the matter up
again tomorrow, Bartels, and go
through 1t thoroughly"
Ned was a good deal unnerved by
the happenings OF the day. He found
himself unable to confine his thoughts
to business. He was grieving over
the shock the failure OF her father
must bring to Lille.
At the same time. somehow. he took
new heart Of hope. It appeared to
him as II barrier had been removed
that Of wealth. Now she was poor.
They were on an quail social foot
ing.
"I'll do it!" he decided forcibly, and
he went to see pretty Lille that same
afternoon. He spoke out boldly. He
knew from the sweet delight in LII
lies eyes that she .eturned his love.
When he spoke OF living on his linn
tied salary. she vered stanchly that
1t was abundant-too much
What would Mr.. Wayne say when
he knew of the engagement, Ned
wondered There was one point of
assurance. however. II would come
out that he had proposed to Lille
knowing that she was poor as him
self They could not charge him with
being after the fortune that no longer
existed.
iii wait a day and get up my
nerve before tell Mr.. Wayne that
am going to marry Lille" Ned decid-
ed. but that afternoon there came a
startling telephone message that ma
terially changed his plans.
A slip of paper on his desk an
nounced that Robert Wayne wished
to see the reporter who had written
him up the day previous"
I'm in for it," cogitated the dis
turbed Ned Il suppose I'll be raked
fore and aft for anticipating the fu-
ture. Well. l did my duty anyway.
II goes. and I'll have to tell him So"
"Oh, you are the reporter who is
responsible for that precious screed
regarding the terrible condition Of my
Affairs. are you?" challenged Mr..
Wayne. as Ned was ushered into his
private ONCE.
anu 4Ntu hHftuNtu
Where did you get your informa-
tion7"
Ned recited the circumstances.
frankly and with manliness. To his
profound amazement Mr.. Wayne burst
into a ft OF the most uproarious laugh
ter His frame shook, the tears stood
in his eyes.
Il see it all now" he said, at length
controlling his risibilities. Young
man. the conversation you overheard
through that transom was between
my lawyer and n brother OF mine in
another city. but-nothing could have
than your error.
Il do not understand" murmured
Ned.
Then will explain: Some time
since was lured into subscribing
for 10000 stock OF company ! later
ascertained to be fake concern. ]
paid ten per cent down. They de
manded the balance. sent an agent
down to them in another city to nego
tiate compromise. He was ready to
offer fifty per cent He advised me
they demanded all. and had sent for
a report. You sent II under an error
They Immediately settled for $4,000
You saved me 100000 What can ]
do for your"
AS he spoke Mr.. Wayne grasped
Ned's hand heartily. The latter blurt
ed out:
'Lillie-please. sir! We are en-
gagged
"What-how-when!" gasped Mr.
Wayne.
''As soon as / learned she was poor
sir"
And ready TO take a pauper and
her insolent old dad, eh?" rallied Mr.
Wayne.
"Oh. you wouldn't stay down long
complimented Ned.
And your fidelity TO duty, ever
under mistaken circumstances. please,
me-" observed Mr.. Wayne. We'll. Il
shall be as Lille says"
And Lille had said" already.
Copyright. 1914. by W. C. Chapman)