The Carlisle independent., 1915-02-25
CHAPTER XXI.
Brand. the Immutahle.

II. there was no doubt about It. He saw, or imagined an ulterior motive that made it a reasonable conclusion. but he dared not reveal his suspicious to Bob. Dick had never believed the mil u1onaire persisted in his excursions to staten Island merely for financial benefit 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- terest in Mrs. Reynolds. That he could De so penurious as to actually scheme 10 get back the stipend he had meted out to Bob did not appeal to Dick. either. For, whatever the amount was, the young writer knew 1t was but a sipend to Brand. lie believed that the capitalist wished to crush Key holds and raise such an insuperable barrier to his success that he would sueeumb and become alienated from his wife through hopeless realization of his own unworthiness. But there was Mrs. Brand to consider in this line of deduction and the millionaire had never given sufficient evidence of unIoyalty to warrant it. At least, not enough to arouse such thoughts in Bob
 But young Meade, usually so far see ing. had drawn cursory perspective and perhaps a prejudiced one. For Dicks antipathy to Brand was found ed on two things. He despised him as the traducer 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 analyze his feeling in just that way.
 When the cataclysm had come for Sob that afternoon-when the ticker, that instrument of joy, or torture had Sold him of his ruin, he had found but one definite conclusion. He would ask Brand to meet the overdraft on his bank and call 1t quits. He had been prompted to attempt what now stood out clearly as criminal act, through failure to secure an expected mortgage on his home and through belief that he would win on the stock The house, fortunately, was still unincumbered, but in the face of failure he shrank from reducing Jane to absolute pov- erty and had determined to ask this final 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- f1ralV Q tn fha Dol had lost and Brand had won and Brand could afford to pay. True, the million aire had not told him to buy Consoli- dated Wire that day, but he had not advised him not to, and if Brand knew enough to get in on the right side of the collapse, he must have known the crash was coming many hours before 1t did. There were rumors in the street that the concern had gone into the hands of a receiver If this were true the capitalist must surely have been warned of it. He was very close to the officers of the company, Reynolds was positive.
 Young Meade passed two more hours with a most unsociable host who in- sisted that he remain but who sat either in moody silence or paced the floor amid his mental Negotiations of Brand, impatient for his arrival. He went up to his room for more cigar cites and while he was gone the mil lionatre arrived. Dick went to him smiling pleasantly as Frieda admitted him.
 Hello Mir. Brand" he greeted, with extended hand, i've meet once more. though I've given you quite rest"
 Brand took the hand and dropped 1t quickly as if the mere act Of touching it were ample condescension on his part.
 How do you do, Mir. forgot your name." he added lightly. He spoke as if 1t were of little conse- quence, anyway.
 Meade Richard Meade" Dick prompted, unabashed.
 "Oh, yes; still on the newspaper?"
 "No, I'm nearly respectable now" the reporter answered. Magazines"
 Brand looked relieved. He handed his hat and coat to Frieda and ad- vanced to the fireplace.
 Thought you might be here to see your friend on story of some kind" he ventured T believe you haven't seen much of each other for year or so. Where Is Reynolds now?" he fn- ished, it having just occurred to him that he had not inquired for him.
 Upstairs for a minute," Dick told him. Hes expecting you. He'll be right down. Bob Is sort of shot to pieces tonight. I thought he would be and that's what brought me around Thought I might be of some help to him"
 The millionaire raised his head quickly and looked searehingly at Meade.
 Help? Why, does he need help?" he asked with some asperity.
 q think he does-a little. Haven't you heard? Hasn't Henning told you?"
 "Henning?" snapped Brand irritably.