Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-07-09
CHAPTER xIII-contInued.

to the ethics of a mems club. He fall
tered on the very threshold; and if
any other man than DR.. Durant had
been his sponsor, he would have fed
fncontinently, so as not to disturb that
rare, indescribable atmosphere which
only cIubmen understand and respect.
The Doctor was scrutiniZing the
menu billiard, who faced the window,
threw a glance over his shoulder. AS
he had fancied. the eyes of the room
were upon him. They reminded him,
oddly enough, of machine-gun batteries.
When ut length the pair had gained
the table nearest the window, Hill
lard felt that he had undergone a
strenuous ordeal; he was consumed
by gratitude to his implacable host,
but he had no inclination to repeat it.
''The table dhote's good enough for
me-" said the Doctor presently. "And
you?"
Sand for me, too" said Hilliard.
"Anything to drink?"
mo, thanks"
The Doctor dropped the card and sat
up straighter.
"Well, won't keep you in suspense
II want some advice. AS | said I'm
the worst business man in the world,
billiard. I'm a mere child in your
hands-so please treat me tenderly."
He regarded his companion with min
gled humor and seriousness. James
Cullen has been telling me about a
wonderful plan of yours to make a
nice shiny gold eagle grow where only
a silver quarter grew before. In fact,
ne talked so enthusiastically that he's
got me thinking about 1t, too
/ rather resent your not telling me
about it Yourself"
billiard recoiled
"YoI shouldn't do that!" he said.
ST wouldn't have tried to inter
est you in it, Doctor. because"
ooh, can see your reasons" depre-
Gated the Doctor, smilingly. "You
didn't want to trespass on purely so
cial relationship. / appreciate that.
But the point is, I've got a few thou
sand dollars 1 don't exactly know what
to do with It's rather extraordinary
situation for a professional man, isn't
it? I'll have to admit I'm puzzled about
it myself. And the novelty might lead
me into temptation. So thought I'd
ask your advice"
"You can have the best I'VE got"
said HilIiard averted. But I'm not
guaranteeing that it has much value.
Doctor"
The Doctor nodded; drummed on the
table.
DO you ever let friendship inter
fere with business?"
"Often. sir"
'sWill you let it interfere now-if
you think you're justifed?"
YES, Doctor. IA. :. can promise
that much, anyway"
The Doctor showed his approval
"WelI, tell me perfectly frankly-is
yours the sort of proposition you'd let
man invest ia, if you knew he had
precious little money to lose? But II
you also knew that he were quite will
ing to take the same chance as the
Test?'
billiard shook his head slowly, and
continued to shake it as he replied.
81 can't say that it is. Doctor. On
the contrary don't think it's that
sort of proposition at ALL" DR.. Dur
ants brows were contracted.
"But in the ordinary run of COM
}merce. billiard suppose the question
of friendship didn'1 enter into this,
and l hadn't brought up that subject
would you, in choosing your list of
subscribers, and selecting the people
you'd like to have share the plan with
you. put a man like myself on any
different footing than James Cullen?
Or wouldn't your"
Doctor Durant," billiards. voice
was slow. lis it possible you haven't
heard me I. the criticism that's been
fying around town about this syndi-
cate of mine? Haven't you heard that
there's some question whether it's
quite sound?"
'Ive heard ft-yes." The Doctor
was
"Well-do you still think this is any
time to discuss the possibility of your
coming in with us?"
The Doctors voice was strong, en-
couraging.
81 think it's the best time, and the
only time-for me, that is. I've lived
too long to be affected by chance ru.
mors. And besides. I've got the money
now"
"But are you sure you know what
it's all aboutf The criticism, l mean
81 don't know anything about it at
all. That's exactly why I'm coming to
you for advice. You certainly ought
to know more about it than any one
else does. Ard, therefore, I'd take
your word for it before I'd take the
rumor. l want to know if you'll accept
me as one of the members of your
syndicate"
billiard gasped and pushed himself
beck from the table.
-Doctor!'
-In way" said DR.. Durant geniaIIy
SIN putting you at great disadvan-
tage-I know that But, as | said. I'm
not a business man. have to be
guided more or less by instinct. Your
business is to know all about these
things. SO I'm coming to You for your
honest opinion, and l know you'll give
1t to me do you think I'm quite
eligible?"