, 1917-10-25
THE HIDDEN HAND
.EsIL1Us MARVEL sat att his

Out DelOTe uilH, Wheh,
a telephone call from him, l had
gone over to the office of the United
Bankers Protective association. Three
were pictures of women who contrast
ed somewhat as to age and facial ex-
preston. He had his hands thrust
deep in his pockets as he crowded far
back in his fitting swivel chair, a ia
vorite pose when he was either very
much engrossed in considering a SUBJ
ject or very comfortable.
When the great man had a ase
fully in grasp with the end in
sight he rarely referred to 1t.
When, however, he was ~perturbed or
perplexed, it seemed to be a vent, a
relief to talk it over with me. Not that
l was of much assistance to him. In
fact, 1 felt that l was simply T. buffer.
Sometimes there was an assimilation
and l would venture suggestions. Nine
out of ten of these we're u and
full of flaws. Sometimes the tenth
from the mental scrap heap would pos
sess the germ of an idea. If SO, he
rolled 1t through his own shrewd
thinking processes, and away he went
with 1t, turning u 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 q card across the table.
Know him?"
1 read the name, "Howard Suther-
land" and nodded in assent, adding
verbally:
"He is the owner of Sutherland &
Son, very good bankers and very
sound financially.
"Were," disputed Marvel pointedly.
'"This is under the rose, of course"
related my friend. ~ can see no rea-
son why their credit should be re-
stricted from what l have discovered,
or rather what has been revealed to
me. 1 do not think the case will be a
serious one, but there is certainly
some need of tinkering. Mr.. Suther-
lam has asked me to take up the af-
fair. 1t is interesting and unique, for
the reason that a 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, a very good picture" 1 re-
marked.
1.-THE second is his son, Dunbar
Sutherland"
81 recognized him also"
"The third is a faithful adherent of
the family. He saved the life of the
son in n border tussle with Indians
five years ago Dunbar Sutherland
tool him up out of gratitude, educated
him, gave him n position in the bank,
and from what I learn he is a veritable
watch dog of the Sutherland interests.
His name is Chespa."
He was straight as an arrow.
The retinements of civilization had
toned down the primal ferocity of eyes
and lips. Still, in his glance was the
clear steadiness of u man not to be
trified with.
"a dangerous person to arouse,
was the comment / made, and Marvel
nodded in mute agreement with the
conviction.
THE first lady, the older of the
three" he went on, lis Mrs. Howard
Sutherland. The young lady with he
sweet ayes and the unmistakable tinge
of the haut ton in pose and face, is
Miss Gladys Vernon, a debutante of
last season. The last of the group is
Nina Tricortin, who was the maid of
Mrs. Howard Sutherland and the iance
of Chespa.
up to a month since" continued
Marvel, that group of six seemingly
represented ideal social conditions.
Two weeks ago Miss Vernon was sent
with a relative to Europe, after she
had Wriffnn a hriaf nnld nntn tn har
former lover breaking their engage
ment peremptorily. One week later
Mrs. Howard Sutherland left the house
secretly and telegraphed from New
York to her husband that 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, nc 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 anrurant1u dauntaH IN the IN MN
skinned husband she has SO strangely
saIaotod nc n 1fFa nartnar0