The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-26
(Continued)

w M w W 60 % @ W 60 60 {
 (Continued) MT. Thacker recovered his breath and his voice at one and the same time.
 "Preposterousr' he snorted. Beg ging your lordship's pardon, you can net expect hard headed business men to listen seriously to any such propo- sition as that. Tushery, sir, tuclery! Speaking as the American representa- tive of Boyd's''- ~
 "One moment interrupted MT. Jeph- son. In his eyes shone queer light light such as ono might expect to find in the eyes of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. "One moment, please. What sum had you in mind. Lord Narrowly?
 ''well, say 100000" suggested his lordship. T realize that my proposi tion Is fantastic. I really admitted as much. Butt
 "One hundred thousand pounds" Mr. Jephsop repeated 1t thoughtfully. "I should have to charge your lordship rather high rate, As high as 10 per cent"
 Lord Narrowly seemed to be in the throes of mental arithmetic.
 q am afraid" he said finally, q could not afford one hundred thousand at that rate. But could afford-sev- enty-flve thousand. Would that bI satisfactory, Mir. Jephson?'
 "Jephsonv' cried MT. Thacker wildly. 'Are you mad? Do you realize"-
 "I realize everything, Thacker,' said Jephson calmly. T have your lord shlp's word that the young lady is at present determined on this alliancci And that you will do all in your power to keep her to her intcntion?"
 You have my .word," said Lord Har- rowby. If you should care to tele- Gs,sph"-
 Your word is sufficient" said Jeph- son. MT. Minot, will you be kind enough to bring me a policy blank?" ..See here, Jephson," foamed Thacker. "What if this thing should get into the newspapers? We'd Ee the laughing stock of the business world"
 ''It mustn't" said Jephson coolly.
 Ut mightv' roared Thacker.
 Mir. Minot arrived with a blank pol icy. and MT. Jcphson sat down at the young mans desk.
 For time there was no sound in the room save the scratching of two pens. while Mir. Thacker gazed open rnouthed at MT. Minot and MT. Minot light heartedly smiled back. Then Mir. Jephson reached for blotter.
 "I shall attend to the London end of this when I reach there five days hcnce," he said. Perhaps I can find another underwater to share the risk with me-"
 As the door closed upon the noble man MT. Thacker turned explosively on his friend from oversea.
 "Jephson," he thundcred, you're an idiot! A rank unmitignted idiot!'
 The Peter Pan light was bright in Jephson's eyes.
 ,,"So new," he half whispered. "So original. Bless the boys heart. I've been waiting forty years for proposi- tion like that" ls
 "Do you rcalize," Thacker cried, that f75,O00> of your good money de. ponds on the honor of Lord Harrow by?"-
 'I> do," returned Jephson. And would not be concerned if 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 polo game by team on which the earl was playing. And he played like the devi1-thc earl did-won the game himself. Ah, know the breed"
 "Oh, we'll" sighed Thaclrer, T won't argue. Bit one thing is certain, Jeph- son. You can't go back to Englc nd now. Your place Is i'll San Marco with one hand on the rope that rings the wedding bclls.'
 Jephson shook his great bald head.
 ''No," he said. "I must return today. It is absolutely necessary. My intor- ests in San Mar are in the hands of i Providence
 Mir. ThncEer walked the floor wildly
 Providence needs help in handling a woman" he protested Miss Mey. rick must not change her mind. Some one m..st see tha: shc doesn't. If ycu can't go yourselr'- He paused, reflect. ing. Some young man, active, ca. pable"-
 Mir. Richard Minot had risen from bis chair and was moving softly to- ward his overcoat. Looking over his shoulder, lie bcheld Mir. Thacker's keer eyes upon him.
 Just going out to lunch," he sait guiltily.
 ''Sit down, Richard% remarked MT Thac.:er, with decision.
 MT. Minot sat, the dread of some thing impending fin his heart.
 Mir. Thacker wheeled dramaticall, end faced his young assistant.
 Richard" he ordered, Ego to SaI Marco. Go to San Marco and see to that Miss Cy:,.,..iia Meyrick does no change her mind.'
 A gone feeling shot through MT. Mi not in the vicinity of his stomach. I was possible that he really needed tha lunch.