Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-08-30


"Even If that were so, would have
too much pride and independence to
accept money help from you, good
friends as we are"
There was deep concern and sympa-
thy in Lura's beautiful eyes. They
frightened at new thought.
"Oh, Gwynnv' she said eagerly. 81
have thought it all out. You must go
to Mr.. Wickham. He is very good to
me in some things and lets me have
my own way mostly. Please let me
speak to him about your business trou-
bles. I am sure he knows you are
honest, he knows that THAT is, that
we are great friends. 1 will talk with
him and let you know"
1t was the next morning at ten
o'clock that Gwynn received the tele-
phone message from Lura:
"Come at once-it's all arranged"
Gwynn felt inspired at this unex-
pected avenue out of his difficulties.
He was certain that, with time given,
say 90 days, he could turn himself. He
had safe securities to give, and did
not feel that the owner could lose.
When he reached the Branscombe home
Edna smiled encouragingly to him as
the servant led him to the library.
Wickham was awaiting him. He
was bland, civil, and most friendly.
He listened to Gwynn's story of his
business complications with apparent
great interest. There was nothing in
his bearing or words to indicate that
under the surface he was plotting the
young mans ruin.
"Your presentation looks all right,
Mr.. Bartlett" he spoke effusively. 81
cannot myself advance you the money
required, but I have a friend, a Mr..
Purdue, who will be impressed favor
ably with your proposition on my say
so. 1 have written letter. You may
read it."
Gwynn's face flushed with emotion
and gratitude as he perused a brief
missive commencing him warmly to
Mr.. James Purdue.
"You have done me the favor of
my life and I shall never forget it."
declared Gwynn warmly, and as he
left the room Lura, with shining eyes,
beckoned him into the little reading
room where she had been writing let
ters to some girl friends.
"Oh, Mr.. Wickham is indeed kind!
she exclaimed, as she read the letter.
"Oh dear! how careless he is. He
hasn't dotted the q in his name."
And daintily Lura supplied the miss
ing dot with a pen and returned the
letter to Gwynn, and warmed his
heart with hopeful words showing her
sincere solicitude for his welfare.
Gwynn went at once to Purdue He
never suspected that the latter was q
hired emissary Of Isaac Wickhams
Purdue read the letter.
''Yes, indeed" he spoke promptly, IT
will do anything for Mr.. Wickham.
You can have what financial assistance
you need, on easy terms and on long
time, If you choose" and Gwynn left
the den of the schemer with the funds
that were to enable him to save him
self from business ruin.
That evening there arrived at the
Branscombe home the nephew Wick
ham had sent for. The twain were
seated in the library when Lura, Incl
dentally passing through the adjoining
apartment, was halted by an alarming
declaration which came to her hearing
from the lips of her guardian.
"It's all fixed, Maurice" he was say
ing. 'Tve got that bothersome Bart
lett out of the way, or We'll have done
soon. All you have to do is to win
the girl"
"And her fortune !" chuckled the con-
scienceless relative.
Precisely. You see, this Bartlett
is in money difficulties. He came to
me for assistance. I sent him to my
ally, Purdue. When I write to Pur-
due introducing a client, if I don't dot
the Il in my name, he takes his cue,
and to entangle him in net from which
he can't escape"
Two hours later Gwynn Bartlett,
seated in his office, was amazed at
visit from Lura. She was pale and
flurried.
"Oh, Gwynn" she breathed wildly.
"Mr. Wickham has tried to ruin you.
I hope you haven't put yourself in the
power Of that Purdue" and she recited
her recent discovery.
Gwynn laughed joyously.
"You dotted that Il and it has saved
me" he cried. "This Purdue made
a most equable arrangement with me
and the money has already saved my
business, but-the scoundrels! Well,
we have Outwitted them"
II can never stay under the same
roof with that wicked schemer," de-
clared Lura gravely.
And then and there Gwynn Bartlett
asked her to come to a new home, as
his wife, and week later Isaac Wick
ham knew the cause of his discomf-
fv1na