The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-03-04
CHAPTER XXI.
Brand, the lmmutable.

u. W,
or Imagined an Interior motive that
made 1t reasonable conclusion, but
ne dared not reveal his suspicious to
Bob. Dick had never believed the mil
nonaire persisted in his excursions to
staten Island merely for financial
oeneht 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
TO 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 II was but
stipend 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 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
mad never given sufficient evidence OF
unloyalty to warrant 1t. At least, not
enough to arouse such thoughts In
Bob.
But young Meade, usually so far see
Ing, had drawn a cursory perspective
and perhaps a prejudiced one. For
DICKS ant!pathy to Brand was found
ed on two things. He despised him as
the traducer of Bob and he hated him
Tor his associations with Jane; the
more bitterly. too. because Brand had
removed her from the sphere CT his
own intimacy. In short, Dick was
Jealous OF Brand, though he did not
anslyze his feeling in Just that way.
When the cataclysm had come for
Bob that afternoon-when the ticker.
that instrument of Joy. or torture, had
told him of his ruin, he had found but
one definite conclusion. He would ask
Brand to meet the overdraft on his
bank and call II quits. He had been
prompted to attempt what now stood
out clearly as a 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,
from reducing Jane to absolute pov-
erty and had determined to ask this
final boon of Brand. He had tele-
graphed tie millionaire asking him to
come thai evening before the theater
party.
Now. Dicks revelation gave an en-
urely different aspect to the case. Bob
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 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
1t 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
was positive.
Young Meade passed two more hours
with most unsociable host who in
sisted that he remain but who sat
either In moody silence or paced the
floor amid his mental fiagellations of
Brand. impatient for his arrival. He
went up to hle room for more cigar
cites and while he was gone the mil.
lionaire arrived. Dick went to him
smiling 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 as II the mere act OF touching
II were ample condescension on his
part.
How do you do, Mr.. forgot
your name," he added lightly. He
spoke as II It were of little conse-
quence. anyway.
Meade Richard Meade" Dick
prompted. unabashed.
"Oh. yes; still on the newspaper"
mo. 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 lTicuu Oh stoty Vi bOme klnu,
he ventured. II believe you haven't
seen much of each other for a year or
so. Where is Reynolds now?" he fin
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. y thought he would be
and that's what brought me around.
Thought ! might be of some help to
him"
The millionaire raised his head
quickly and looked searchingly at
Meade.
Help? Why. does he need help?" he
asked with some asperity.
Il think he does-a little. Haven't
you heardf Hasn't Henning told
your"
''Henning?" snapped Brand irritably.
what has Henning got to do with II?