The Jasper news., 1918-05-16

II know. I've been to political mees-
Inns. The wiCows and orphans are al
ways hangin' on the success Of the
party, whichever way you vote. The
amount of tears shed over their invest
ments by fellers you wouldn't trust
with brass FIVE cent piece is sorne-
thin amazin'. Go on; didn't mean
to interrupt"
"Then he switched to a more per
sonal appeal He said he had taken a
fancy to me-had liked me from the
very beginning. He recognized my un-
usual genius at first sight and had
gone as far as to make plans bearing
directly on my future. He was associ-
ated with men ofNwealth and business
sagacity. Large deals, of which. the
trolley combine was but one, were on
foot. He and his friends needed a rep
resentative on the press-a publicity
agent, so to speak. Some of the great
est corporations employed men Of that
kind, and the salaries paid were large
and the opportunities afforded greater
still Well, that's true enough. know
writers who are doing just that thing
and getting rich at it. suppose they've
squared their consciences somehow
and are willing to write lies and mis-
leading articles for what there is in 1t.
l can't, that's all; I'm not built that
way, and told him so.
ut ended In an open break. He re-
minded me Of the favors he had done
me. He had treated me almost like a
son, had introduced me to his family,
entertained me at his table. Where
was my gratitude2 That was another
bad break on his part, for 1t made me
mad. l told him had not asked to be
adopted or fed by him; IL had sup
posed his kindness had an Interior mo-
tive l would have seen him at the
devil before I accept a favor. My ca.
reer as a financial visitor was ended.
Get out OF his office! got But the
trolley combine did not go through.
The Planet and the other papers kept
up the fight, and and the widows and
orphans are bankrupt, presume
Captain Elisha's pipe had gone out
long since. He absently rubbed the
warm bowl between his palms.
"Humphw he muttered. $50 Bic
was deep In that business, was he7"
HE was. Very deep indeed, found
out afterward. And l declare I almost
pitied him at the time. He acted as II
his whole fortune was staked on the
gamble. His hands shook and the per-
spiration stood on his forehead as he
talked. felt as II had been the
means of running him. But Of course
hadn't. He lived for some time after
that and. understand, died a rich
man."
Eyes. He left what I'd call heap Of
money. My nephew and niece don't
seem to think so. but do"
$50 you see, captain, why stopped
cLlling on the Warrens and why did
not accept Miss Warren's invitation"
81 see-I see. And yet / don't know.
Bile may have took you In for bust
ness reasons, but the children didn't.
They like' you for yourself. Caroline
as much as said 80. And their father
never told 'em word about the row.
neither. OF course you couldn't have
called when he was alive, but he's
gone, and Tm-well, I'm sort Of tenn
porary skipper there now. And I want
you to come"
The string of Japanese gongs hung
In the lower hall sounded generously.
Captain Elisha reached for his coat
and hat, but Pearson caught his arm.
mo, you don't" he declared. You're
going to stay and have lunch with me
here. II you say no l shall believe II
LIS because you are afraid of board.
ing house meal"
His guest protested, but the protests
were overruled, and he and his host
went down to the dining room. The
captain whispered as they entered
Land sakes, Jim, this takes me back
home. It's pretty nigh twin to the
dinin room at the Center House In
South Denboro."
Pearson called. He appeared at the
apartment a week after the luncheon
at the boarding house and was wei
coined by Captain Elisha, who, hear
Ing his voice, strobe into the hall
sent the shocked Edwards to the righ
about In hurry, seized his friend.
hand and ushered him into the library
Pearson said nothing concerning hi.
change of mind, the course of reason
Ing which led him to make the visit
and the. captain asked no questions.
They spent pleasant afternoon to
gether. Caroline was out, and the.
had the library to themselves. TIL,
newest chapters Of the novel were req,
and discussed, and the salty flavor O
the talk was as pronounced as ever
Pearson left early. but promised t,