The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-03-03

A rdtner QlStlne2llSned man OF uIty-
five, as he sat at his desk in de-
jected and listless attitude. It was
10:45 and he was still alone; still
awaiting the arrival of his son-in-law
and business partner. whose support
and help he needed more at this time
than he had ever needed it before.
And then came blow from an un-
expected quarter.
It was delivered in an ordinary en-
velope by very ordinary messenger
boy, and it was altogether q very
plain, businesslike document. But
its effect on the already discouraged
business man could not have been
worse If it had been dropped from
above by a winged messenger Of the
gods Of financial ruin:
Mr.. Russell Irwin,
City.
Dear sir-As Mr.. Clay failed to apply
for an extension last night. have placed
for collection, the nots hold against r.
win & Clay for q loan of $4,000. Out of
the city today and Sunday. You must
settle Monday.
THOMAS NEAL.
Dazed and stunned. and seemingly
bending under q weight OF suddenly
added years, Irwin CROPPED angrily for
the telephone and in an imperative
tone called for his partners house
number.
Hello, Clay, this you? Well, hurry
down-while you have been dallying
at home we have gone under-we're
ruined-completely smashed"
This was the message that had
startled Clay at his late breakfast,
Irwin wasted no time in prelimi-
naries when Clay hurriedly entered
the firms luxuriously furnished pri-
vate Offices.
Fine business" he shouted. angrily
showing the letter at his junior part.
ner. Fine business this, missing an
appointment of such Importance; neg
lecting to secure the extension Of that
note; fine business"
Clay. confused and ashamed. an
swered nothing.
ooh, Edgar, Edgar, I trusted you"
continued the other man. "My only
folly has been that placed any re-
sponsibility on you. And this is the
result. Why didn't you get the extern
sion on that note?"
II forgot" began Clay in schoolboy
fashion. Il forgot. I meant to at
tend to 1t. To tell you the truth I
started for Meals Office, but 1 met
some Of the boys there and Ill,
we'll, made a night of it. I forgot
business and everything else. I
well, you know my weakness, Rus
SELL"
eyes, I know your weakness. !
your poor, dead father. Perhaps you
are not entirely to blame. I should
have known better than to have left
SO important detail to you.
81 might have known what the re-
suit would be; might have known.
You were drunk and We are ruined"
Earnestly but without passion the
two men entered into a discussion of
ways and means. #-.
So earnestly were they engaged in
conversation that neither heard the
entrance Of Isabelle. Her manner was
still nervous and the agitated state of
her mind was betrayed, If in no other
way, by the restless fash In her eye
and the quick, sharp jerk Of her
words:
Il hope I'm not intruding. gentle
men"
They both started.
One look at Isabelle's frankly open
countenance assured them that she
had not overheard their discussion
and both men breathed more easily.
II came to get some money, Ed
gar"
But your allowance, child?" in
terposed the father. You've drawn
It in advance now"
Il know, father, but I lost It. I
played at Cora's-at Mrs. Blake's, and
now, unless I can get some money at
once, my name will be ruined. I sim
ply must pay my gambling debts.
They are debts Of honor and must be
met"
Perhaps II Isabelle had made her
demand at more opportune time;
perhaps II Clay had been less harsh
in his refusal, old King Folly might
have been foiled; might have lost two
promising victims, and what follows
might never have been written.
II can't give you a cent, Isabelle"
he shouted, "and II you foolishly gam
BILE again, Ill repudiate your debts"
VERY well, Edgar" she answered
coldly, what follows will be on your
own head" And haughtily, majestic
ally-hke q queen Of tragedy-she
swept from the room, leaving the two
men still more depressed to wrestle
with their problem problem that
seemed without answer. And there
we too, will leave them for the pres
emit.
Peter West lay dying. And the Sc
cret that was dying with him grew
heavy on his conscience. At the very
time that Edgar Clay and his partner
were seeking to pierce the black pail
Of ruin that was slowly pressing down
on them. he was seeking to penetrate
the still blacker curtain of the future
seeking to know his fate.
II didn't do It; I didn't have any.
thing to do with It. God knows I'm
innocent" he mumbled over and over
to himself.
The nurse leaned over him.
did you call?" she asked.
1T was nothing" he feebly an
swered. II was talking to myself.
II didn't do 1t, God knows it's moth