The Washington herald., 1916-05-21


~ whether high or low. The big Wall
VIM Street 'plunger" was fond of say
NlNN ing that there subject
WV interesting the study of a hu-
W man face-that the panorama of
city street held far more expires
sion and inspiration than the greatest book ever
written the most eloquent sermon ever
preached. With his first glance at his present vis
itors he impulsiyely to his feet. They were
two young and very pretty wonderland in some
vaguely indefnable way different from the young
women with whom his meteoric career had
brought him into contact. He fumbled for their
cards, which the servant had left the big table
that served him private desk
MFR. MAXWELL" said the foremost of the two
young women in direct busness-like tone. And
at his nod of affirmation, "My name is Miss Hart
ley And this is Miss Burnett. 1 know you
are busy man." she continued, as he bowed,
-and not going to take up much of your
time. The reason for our visit briefly is-this."
She took from her hand bag folded newspaper,
and her daintily gloved finger pointed to group
of heavy headlines on the first page.
Maxwell shrugged, and laughed rather i'm
patiently.
Does the newspaper exaggerste?" continued
his questioner.
'No-as a matter of fact it tells the exact
truth" Maxwell shrugged again. More so-called
Social Workers." and Women with a mission"
But he veied the thought and the resultant dis
appointment. and waited for them to continue
Then you have determined to give half of
the fortune. which you have made in the manu-
facture and sale of munitions, to practic
able charityY continued his charming ques-
toner.
Maxwell bowed again silently.
NO. We have not come to help you spend
IT, said the interviewer quickly, though divin-
ing his thought. I'VE don't intend to ask
you for donation for any pet charities. 1t
happens that interested in much the
same things which evidently appeal to you, and
business proposition, it occurred to that
quite possibly could work in conjunction in
several directions" Then Mona outlined plan to
have him help them in their campaign of retribu-
tion against different people.
You interest me, young woman" said Ro-
land Maxwell. please go on"
For the better part of half an hour Mona
talked, with occasional contribution from
Mary. Maxwell, himself spoke hardly half
dozen sentences. He made it plain that his role
was that of listener, perhaps Judge. 1t was true
that he had determined to devote half of the
spectacular fortune, which the sale of war mu-
nitions had brought him, to charity. And in
ll-advised moment he had given his intention to
newspaper reporter. The result had been that
he had been s~SmPed with letters and kilograms
and requests tsr personal interviews, which had
driven him to the verge of distraction, and which
at the end had left him in a condition of al
most complete disgust. 1t matter to de
termine calmly to spend several million dollars
for the public good. But it was quite another
matter to be besieged by a stream of inter
viewers, who presented all manner of wild, i'm
practicable schemes for the spending of those
millions, and who took it a personal affront
when he didn't coincide enthusiastically with
their visionary plans.
Mona looked at her watch suddenly, and rose
abruptly to her feet.
We have kept you long enough, Mr.. Max
well. But I hope that we have convinced you at
least, of our sincerity and practicabilty If
be of any further service to you, it is possi-
bic to reach us at most any time. We are regis
tered at this hotel, ourselves. for the
present" Maxwell sat in reverie for some time
after they had gone.
The tnkle of his telephone aroused Max
we'll suddenly He knocked out his pipe. and put
he receiver Of he iOS tO biS
up he growled after moments parley
the wire. The frown returned to his face, but
this time it was of entirely different charac
ter, and when the door of his suite again opened,
he crossed the floor with his features set coldly
and his eyes narrowed grimly.
Two entered the room, both with out
stretched hands, and effusye smiles. Regard
less of the obvious coldness in MaxwelI's atti-
tude, they caught his hands, and pumped it up
and down with expansive cordiality, after which
they lighted fresh cigars and stood surveying
him with their bubbling geniality if possible in
creasing instead of diminishing.
Well come to the point. Durkin," snapped
Maxwell Il know you are here for selfish
motive. And you, too, Wentworth" addressing
the other, IF you have anything really import
ant to say, be quick about it. I very busy
man just now"
"Of course you are! Don't we know ftp"
purred Durkn, affecting to disregard the others
curtness. And have idea that you will be
whole lot buster after you hear what have
to Offer"
parrot-like.
go to it, then" growled Maxwell opening
his watch expressively.
The man called Wentworth stepped closer to
him and lowered his voice suggestively you've
made killing on Munition, Maxwell-by forcing
the stock up Why not keep up the good work?'
What do you mean?"
isn't this the psychological time, with all
this talk of neutrality, not to mention your own
publicity a philanthropic agent. to force the
stock down? Just fancy for moment what
would happen The whole country is crazy with
the so-called millionaires, made over night, and
everyone, from newsboy up, is anxious to
invest in anything suggesting munitions, or war
supplies, that munition stock can't be supplied
fast enough. The right at the right place
make the biggest cleanup the Street has
for years-by the right kind of pressure
on those stocks! You know what mean. Why
- not make little pool of three, and stand ready
TO garner the harvest when the crash comes?'
Maxwell surveyed the other siently-a dis
concerting silence, had Maxwell been keener
student Of psychology.
what about the ruin that would result
to innocent investors?"
What have to do with them? There is