Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-06

Within couple OF minutes of Johns
arrival MIR. Howell was cxplainins the
object OF tho meeting. lilo went into
certain facts and figures. which. to
Hnrtons thinking. proved that the e..
~ i. line was In 1 thoroughly salts
factory condition. Then came the
bombshcll.
That is Just how we stand AT the
moment. continued MIR. Howell unctu-
ously. There is one other item that
doesn't appear on the balance sheet.
we nave five millions OF unappropriatcd
innds TO divide among the shareholders.
Now. II we work tho suggested pool
on the right lines. we'll send this stock
GOWN until we arc able 10 buy II in toi
next TO nothing. Then. when We havo
declared our dividend. watch il soar
In so far as Burton could judge. every
other man In the room regarded tho
projected theft as perfectly satisfac-
tory and morally unohjcciionahlc.
Howell took 1t for granted that tho
scheme showed no flaws. and at once
began jotting down names and hold
tngS. Half II million dollars was the
lowest individual sum named. Several
doubled and a few ouadrurlcd tho
amount. Howell himself beaded tho
list with five millions.
Now. Mir. Burton" he said y; last.
how much for YOU"
John shook his head SLOWLY
81 don't think I'll come in a, this
stage. he said.
Oddly enough. the others merely re-
garded him as being extra cautious. a
comnendablc quality among money
makers. Even Howell himself did not
altogether disapprovc.
All right. Mr. Burton" Ne agreed.
1T will do YOU no harm If you decide
TO get aboard later. Sut remember
no matter how far the stock drops.
don't be tempted TO sell G. O. & L."
Soon afterward John left the room
At the exit from the palatial Offices he
happened to meet Mrs. Howell ana
Marjorie. Mamma greeted him erus'Ne-
ly. and John, OF course. expressed his
pleasure and surprise that two such
smart ladies should be downtown go
early.
This is the only hour that can be
sure of catching my husband" laugh
ed Mrs. Howell. Even now may
have to wait quite Il time. Wouldn't
you two young people like 10 take a
spin out into the country this fine
morning."
What else could John do but invite
Marjorie TO enter his car? Even he.
with wits sharpcnci by experience.
did not understand that tho coinci-
dencc OF the meeting had been care
fully arranged. the financicrs conf
Dental clerk having been instructed
to advise Mrs. Howell the instant John
entered the office.
That mornings events. trivial though
they appeared, were destined To make
history.
John was reading in his library al
ter lunch when n servant announced
Mr. Ralph Morgan. Somewhat per-
picked by the visit, John was minded
to be friendly. but Morgan merely iE
norcd his hosts outstretched hand,
waited until the door was closed be-
hind the footman. and then. speak
ing with the high tension of man
not quite sure of himself, attacked the
other fiercely
81 have come here, Mr.. Burton, or
Lord Castleton, or whatever the devil
YOU choose to call yourself" he blurt-
cd out, Ito toll YOU straight that you
must stop fooling Marjorie Howell.
won't stand for it, Before you ar
rived in this city Marjorie and | were
as good engaged. It's true. her
mother thought / was hardly eligible,
but my family has n better standing
than hers in the state. and if we arc
not quite so we'll fixed financially.
I was making good start Mean,
while. Marjorie and / had determined
to cinch things one OF these days by
getting married. Now, you turn up.
with your grand airs. romantic his
tory and castles in England. and tho
old woman is hot on your track, while
I'm ID II Marjorie isn't begin
ming to think how fine it would be
called your ladyship.' This is a mans
business. not a woman's. It's you and
me for II. I'm"
John laughed. He couldn't help It,
Those words. your grand air" were
too much for his gravity. The genu-
Inc ring OF his merrimcnt stayed the
threat on Ralph Morgans
lips.
Burton put his hand on his sol disant
rivals shoulders.
STEADY. my boy he said lust wait
a. minute. j III not trying 10 Stc3I your
girl. IL isn't quite fair either TO her
or me that you should say or even
think hard things about us. She's de-
lightful and interesting. OF course and
any man would be several sorts OF a
fool who didn't wake up when she's
around. But marriage is Il serious
thing, and, If that's your object, I'm
not competing. Now, just sit down
and tell me all about it quietly"
Morgan. Gained and dominated by n
stronger nature. gave in at once His
tone changed to one Of en-
treaty and self decentralization. But
there could he no manner OF doubt
as to tho nature of the pot Matched
by Mrs. Howell. The eyes of jca-
lous lover had pierced the armor or
her intent. Every little trick and
subterfuge she had adopted to throw
Marjorie az the marquis head was laid
bare and dissected mcrcilessiy., Nor
gan himself was forbidden the house.
though Marjorie and he had been play
mates since childhood.