The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-11-08
: Es1L1Us MARVEL sat at hi

Bankers Protective association. three
were pictures of women who contrast
ed somewhat as to age and faciai ex-
preston. He had his hands thrust
deep in his pockets as he crowded TAR
back in his fitting swivel chair, ia
yorlte pose when he was either very
much engrcssed in considering sub
ject or very comfortable.
When the great man had a case
fully In grasp with the end 10
sight he rarely referred to it.
When, however, he was perturbed or
perplexed, 1t seemed to be vent, a
relief to talA; il over with me. Not that
/ was Of much assistance to him. In
fact, felt Chat was simply buffer.
Sometimes there was an assimilation
and / wculG venture suggestions. Nine
. out of ten eff these were vacuous and
full Of flaws. Sometimes the tenth
from the mental scrap heap would pos
sess the germ of an idea. If SO, he
rolled it through his own sarewd
thinking processes, and away he went
with it, turaipg out something brilliant
and effective from the very raw orr
ginal material, indeed.
81 had quite an interesting visitor
yesterday" observed my friend, and
he tossed a card across the table.
Know himT
read the name, Howard Suther-
land" and nodded In assent, adding
verbally:
''Ke is the owner Of Sutherland &
Son, very good bankers and very
sound financially.
"Were," disputed Marvel pointedly.
"This is ulder the rose, Of course"
related my friend. 81 can see no rea-
son why their credit should be re-
stricted from what !: have discovered
or rather what has been revealed to
me. i do not think the case will be a
serious one, but there is certainly
some need of tinkering. Mr.. Suther-
land has asked me to take up the af-
fair. 1t is interesting and unique, for
the reason that blight has come over
the Sutherland family and business life,
and he has not the least idea where
fore. That first photo is of himself"
eyes, very good picture" | re
marked.
'The second is his son, Dunbar
Sutherland"
II recognized him also."'
"The third is faithful adherent of
the family. He saved the life of the
son in border tussle with Indians
five years ago Dunbar Sutherland
took him up out Of gratitude, educated
him, gave him a position in the bank,
and from what 1 learn he is seritable
watch dog of the Sutherland interests
His name is Chespa."
He was straight as an arrow.
The refinements of civilization had
toned down the primal ferocity of eyes
and lips. Still, in his glance was the
clear steadiness of man not to be
trifed with.
"a dangerous person to arouse"
was the comment l made, and Marvel
nodded in mute agreement with the
conviction.
"The first lady, tho older of the
tEree," he went On, lis Mrs. Howard
Sutherland. The young lady with the
sweet eyes and the uEmistakable tinge
,os the haut ton in pose and face. is
miss Gladys Verngn, debutante of
last seas,In. The last of the group is
Nina !Tricortin, WHO was the maid of
Mrs. Howard Sutherland and the fiance
OF Chespa.
up TO month SINCE" continued
Marvel, that group Ct six seemingly
represented ideal social conditions.
Two weeks ago Miss Vernon was sent
with a relative to Europe, after she
had written a brief gold note to her
former lover breaking their engage
ment peremptorily, One week later
Mrs. Howard Sutherland left the house
secretly and telegranhed from New
York to her husband tnat all was over
between them. She made no further
explanations except to state that he
would later hear from the lawyer of
her brother in Scotland. The amazed
husband and son knew not which way
to turn for counsel or enlightenment.
The domestic complication was light
ened and some kind of an establiSh'
ment maintained through Chespa sud-
denly marrying the girl, Nina. In a
maze of doubt and distress, closely
guarding from public knowledge the
trouble that has come upon them. the
Sutherlands have waited, hoping for
some development that would cast
light upon the situation. 1t has not
come. The Vernon family refuse to
discuss the broken engagement with
Dunbar Sutherland, no further word
has been received from Mrs. Howard
Sutherland The only bright natural
spot in the ensemble is the newly.
made bride, volatile, lightsome as ever
and apparently devoted to the tawny.
skinned husband she has so strangely
selected as life partner"
'And the rank end of the tangle-
of course there must be one to fit the
appiication for your services" | re-
marked.
There again one puzzling strain OF
blight and mystery appears" replied
Marvel. Strong financially as the
Sutherlands have been, exact and sys
tematic as their transactions have beer
carried on. some malign influence ha:
been at work to destroy the integrity
of their business. The bank has beer
raded-once, twice, thrice. A remark
able series of attacks upon its stand
ing have shown so much plan and per
sistency that Howard sutherland