Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-10-19

cuStieS III EuSlanu, ana tne ola WOInuu
Is hot on your track, while I'm
damned If Marjorie isn't beginning to
think how fine it would be to be called
your ladyship.' This is n mans bust
ness, not n woman's. It's you and me
for it. Pm"
John laughed. He couldn't help it.
Those words, ''your grand air." were
too much for his gravity. The genu-
inc ring of his merriment stayed the
unspoken threat on Ralph Morgan's
lips.
Burton put his hands on his sol
distant rivals shoulders.
STEADY, my boy" he said. "Just
wait minute. I'm not trying to steal
your girl. 1t isn't quite fair either to-
her or me that you should say or even
think hard things about us. She's
delightful 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 seri-
GUS thing, and, if that's your object,
I'm not competing. Now, just sit down
and tell me all about 1t quietly
Morgan, Gained and dominated by n
stronger nature, gave in Mt once. His
hectoring tone changed to one of en-
treaty and decentralization. But
there could be no manner of doubt as
to the nature of the plot Matched by
Mrs. Howell. The eyes of n jealous
lover had pierced the armor of her
intent. Every little trick and sub
terfuge she had adopted to throw
Marjorie at the marquis head was
laid bare and dissected mercilessly.
Morgan himself was forbidden the
house, though Marjorie and he had
been playmates since childhood.
AS the story progressed Burton grew
more and more irritated. At last he
made up his mind how to act. He
outlined Il scheme which seemed prac-
ticable, and wound up by saying:
BE sure to have your car outside
the Howell mansion at three o'clock,
sharp, tomorrow. loot your horn
three times quickly, and I'll know that
matters have gone without hitch"
| Unfortunately John forgot one
thing. His interest in seemingly
idyllic love story had completely
driven out of his mind the tragic pos
sibilities attached to the proposed
hammering of G. o. & p. stock. He
spent the evening quietly at home, got
on the phone next morning, and smiled
almost cynically when Mrs. Howell
dubbed over with enthusiasm ut the
suggestion that he should come to
lunch.
He ate n very enjoyable meal. AS
he foresaw, the mother left her daugh-
ter alone with him at the earliest pos
sible moment. Quite innocently, Mar
jorie was employing some of her fem
mime arts, when John cut her short.
He handed her note.
would you mind taking that to
your room before you open it?" he
said. Meanwhile you will oblige me
by asking Mrs. Howell to come and
have few minutes conversation"
Surprised and futtered, the girl
agreed.
Her lover wrote:
John Burton has turned out to be
just the best ever. We have arranged
everything-license, ring and time.
and the minister is expecting us. Now,
hurry, darling!'
Mrs. Howell, greatly agitated by the
marquis significant request, came to
him instantly. She expected to be
asked forthwith to sanction him us
her daughters sutton. She was aston
ished and somewhat inpatient, there
fore, when he began detailed ac-
count of his birth and upbringing.
At last John heard three short toots
of motorhOrn from the street, fol-
lowed by the hum of fast-moving
car. Ralph Morgan If slowgoing in
some respects, was n recognized
scorcher on the highway. John was
puZaling his wits as to the best means
of extricating himself from n difficult
situation when Howell entered. The
financier was bursting with good hui
NOR.
Look at that, my boy" he said,
handing Burton newspaper. you
can get in now as soon as you like"
John glanced at some of the scare
head lines:
SENSATIONAL SLUMP ON STOCK
MARKET.
BOTTOM DROPS OUT OF c. o. & p.
STOCK REACHES UNHEARD-oF
FIGURE OF "a AT CLOSE.
MARGIN TRADERS WIPED OUT.
SMALL INVESTORS RUINED.
Howell was blandly unaware of the
scathing contempt in Burton's voice
when the latter inquired:
"What price was your stock yester-
day. Mr.. HowellY
Away up among the gilt-edged
propositions-10S This is one of the
most successful coups ever engineered.
l must go back downtown. I'll be
there till midnight. My wife phoned
that you were here, so ran ,Sp to tell
you to come in on the ground floor"
Burton seized the opportunity to