Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-11-14

| not expect hard headed business men
to listen seriously to any such propo.
sition as that. Tushery. sir, tushery.
| Speaking as the American representa-.
tive of Boyd's'-
"One moment" interrupted Mr.. Jeph.
son. In his eyes shone queer light
a light such as one might expect to
find in the eyes of Peter Pan, the boy
who never grew up. Zone moment,
please. What sum had you in mind,
Lord Harrowby?'
We'll, say 100000" suggested his
lordship. Il realize that my PROPOSE.
tion is fantastic. really admitted as
much. But
Zone hundred thousand pounds" !"
Mr.. Jephson repeated it thoughtfully.
Il should have to charge your lordship
rather high rate. AS high as 10 per
cent"
Lord Harrowby seemed to be In the
ihroes of mental arithmetic.
II am afraid" he said finally, "I
| could not afford one hundred thousand
at that rate. But l could afford-sev.
enty-f1ve thousand. Would that be
satisfactory. Mr.. JephsonT'
"Jephson"' cried Mr.. Thacker wildly.
Are you mad? Do you realize
/ II realize everything, Thacker," said
Jephson calmly. Il have your lord.
ships word that the young lady is at
! present determined on this alliance!
And that you viii do all in your power
! fn hnr fn inta
"You have my word" said Lord Har-
rowby. If you should care to tele-
graph
Your word is sufficient" said Jeph-
son. Mr.. Minot, will you be kind
enough to bring me policy blank?'
See here, Jephson," foamed Thacker.
What if this thing should get into the
newspapers? We'd be the laughing
stock of the business world"
'It mustn't" said Jephson coolly.
ut mightr' roared ThaeSer.
Mr. Minot arrived with blank pol
| Icy, and Mr.. Jephson sat down at the
| young mans desk.
For a time there was no sound in
| the room save the scratching of two
| pens, while Mr.. Thacker gazed open
mouthed at Mr.. Minot and Mr.. Minot
light heartedly smiled back. Then Mr..
Jephson reached for a blotter.
II shall attend to the London end of
this when l reach there five days
hence" he said. perhaps | can find
another underwater to share the risk
with me-"
AS the door closed upon the noble
man Mr.. Thacker turned explosively on
his friend from oversee.
"Jephson," he thundered. you're an
idiot! A rank unmidgated idiot.'
The Peter Pan light was bright in
Jephson's eyes.
80 new" he half whispered. $50
original! Bless the boys heart. I've
been waiting forty years for PROPOSE
| ton like that"
"Do you realize" Thacker cried
that f75,O0O of your good money de-
pends on the honor of Lord Harrow
by?"
~ do" returned Jephson. "And 1
would not be concerned il it were ten
times that sum. / know the breed.
Why, once-and you, Thacker, would
have called me an idiot on that occa-
sion, tool insured his father against
the loss of a polo game by team on
which the earl was playing. And he
played like the devil-the earl did-won
the game himself All, l know the
breed"
"Oh, WELL" sighed Thacker, "I won't
argue. But one thing is certain. Jeph-
son. You can't go back to England
now. Your place is in San Marco with
one hand on the rope that rings the
wedding bells"
Jephson shook his great bald head.
NO." he said. 81 must return today.
1t is absolutely necessary. My inter
ests in San Marco are in the hands of
Providence
Mr.. Thacker walked the floor wildly.
Providence needs help in handling
a woman" he protested. "AIiss Mey-
rick must not change her mind Some
one must see that she doesn't. If you
can't 60 yourself He paused, reflect
Ing. Some young man, active, ca
pable'-
Mr. Richard Minot had risen from
his chair and was moving softly to-
ward his overcoat. Looking over his
shoulder. he beheld Mr.. Thacker's keen
eyes upon him.
Just going out to lunch," he said
guiltily.
"Sit down, Richard" remarked Mr..
Thacker, with decision.
Mr.. AIinot sat, the dread of some
thing impending in his heart.
Mr.. Thacker wheeled dramatically
and faced his young assistant.
Richard" he ordered. "go to San
Marco. Go to San Marco and see to II
that Miss Cynthia Meyrick does not
change her mind''
4 A gone feeling shot through Mr.. Mi.
not I'm the vicinity of his stomach. II
was possible that he really needed that
lunch.
Eyes, SIR" he said family. "Of
course it's up to me to do anything
you say. If you insist I'll so. but
"But what, Richard?'
! ITO be continued.l