The Ocala evening star., 1921-08-20

ivof OF Mr. Hamilton II. Tubbs. and
agree to receive instead the former
allotment Of Mr.. Tubbs. namely, one
sixteenth"
Having offered this remarkable sug-
gestion, Miss Browne folded her arms
and waited for il to bear fruit.
II did-in the enthusiastic response
Of Mr. Tubbs. swell, well !" he ex-
claimed. ITO think Of our takin' old
H II. that literall O. course, havin'
formed my habits In the financial CEN
tiers of the country. / named a stiff
price at first-a stiff price. / won't
deny. But that's jest the Ieetle way
of man used to handlin' large af-
fairs-nothing else TO it, | do assure
you. The Old Man himself used TO
say, There's old III. H.-you'd think
he'd eat the paint off a house, he'll
show up that graspin' in a deal And
all the time it's jest love of the game
Let him know he's goin' to win out,
and bless you, old H H. will swing
right round and fair force the profits
on the other party. II. II. is slicker
than soap to handle, IL only you handle
him right Can 1 say without hard
feelin's that jest now ii. FL. was not
handled right? Instead o. bein' joshed
with, as he looked for, he was took up
short, and even them which he might
have expected TO show cOnfidence"-
here Mr.. Tubbs cast a reproachfuI
eye at Aunt Jane-"run of with the
notion that he meant jest what he
said. All he'd done for this expedI-
tiOn. his loyalty and faith to same,
was forgotten, and he was thought of
as a self-seeker and VoraciOus Shark -
The pain of these recolIes-tie.7-
damned the torrent Of Mr.
speech.
"Oh, Mr.. Tubbs" breathed Aunt
Jane, heart-brokenly, and of course a
tear trickled gently down her nose,
following the path Of many previous
tears which had already left their sa-
line traces.
Mr.. Tubbs managed In some impos-
sible fashion to roll one eye tenderly
at Aunt Jane, while keeping the other
fastened shrewdly on the remainder
OF his audience.
Miss Higglesby- Browne and Miss
Jane Harding he resumed. 81 accept.
1t would astOnish them as has only
known III. Fl. on his financial side to
see him agree to reduction of prof
its like this without a kick. But I'm
man of impulse, l am. Get me on
my soft side and a kitten amt more
impulsive than old II. II. And o.
course the business of this expedition
amt jest business to me. It's-er-
friendship, and-er-sentimen
short, there's feelin's that is more
than worth their weight in goldF
At these significant words the agita-
ton of Aunt Jane was extreme. Was
Il possible that Mr.. Tubbs was declar-
ing himself in the presence of others
land was a response demanded from
herself-wOuld his sensitive nature, so
lately wounded by cruel suspicion, in
terpret her silence as fatal to his
hopes? But while she struggled be-
tween maiden shyness and the fear
of crushing Mr.. Tubbs. the converse
ton had swept on.
"Mr. Shaw" said Miss Browne, 'you
have heard Mr.. Tubbs, in the interest
Of the expedition, literally consent TO
reduce his claim by one-half. Doubt
less. If only In a spirit of emulation,
you will attempt to match this con
duct by canceling our present agree
ment and consenting TO another cred
lting you with the former sixteenth
share of Mr.. Tubbs."
''Don't do IL, Shaw-hold the fort,
old boy :" broke in Cuthbert Vane. 81
say. Miss Browne, this is a baIly
shamei"
Miss Browne had always treated the
prospective Lord Grasmere with dis
tinguished p0liteness. Even now her
air was mild. though lofty.
Mr. Yane." she replied, ''as q mem
ber Of the British aristocraey, 1t is
not to be supposed that you would
view financial matters with the same
eye as those of US of the Middle
Glasses. who. unhappily perhaps for
our finer feelings, have been obliged
TO experience the harsh contacts of
common life. Your devotion TO Mr..