San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-31

Lazarus and Co. Since the
scene with her father and Michael
she had made no reference to the
matter and their thoughts had
been diverted to other channels
Anscombe, himself, intended to
acquaint her with the fact that
Michael had already opened ne
gotiations, but during the succeed
ing thirty-siX hours there had been
a rush of city calls and everything
else was forced out of his mind.
She wrote for her appointment,
but when it was given she hesitated
about keeping it because of in.
herent dread of the profession. On
her way to Bond Street. a news
boy decided her in her wavering;
he was calling tragedy: Suicide
of well-known baronet."
She stopped the car and in
structed the chauffeur to purchase
a copy of the newspaper. Sir
James Prune. who had been forced
into bankruptcy, ia king her
fathers five thousand with him
into the swamp of debts, had ended
his life with a revolver bullet.
The shock to Stella was great, not
because of any affection for the
late Sir James, but because it il
lustrated the desperate straits to
which men might be driven by the
disgrace of bankruptcy.
She decided to keep the appoint
ment. As her car moved along
Bond Street she saw the dark blue
Rolls-Royce limousine of Marcus
Swete drawn up to the pavement
outside jewelers. shop; she
recognized it by its mauve up
holstery and the ridiculous mascot
$50 dreadfully vulgar" she told
herself-on the radiator cap.
She was granted only fleeing
glimpse within the shop as she
passed. but in that glance she saw
his trim little figure as he leaned
forward across the counter to eX-
anime some piece Of jewelry that
had been submitted for his favor.
And standing by his side was the
ouondam star. Labina, whom she
Rad seen at the ball in Porchester
Square.
Why-why did the color deepen
on her cheeks? Why did her heart
beat more rapidly? Whence came
the fierce rush Of resentment?
Marcus Swete, the dilettante. and
Labina. the actress who had en-
shared a peer and lived to regret
il. Why?
The head of Lazarus and Co.
was an elderly Hebrew with shrewd
little eyes that looked out from
under bush of gray brow. He
sat in shadow. a stupid fez on his
rather small head, his lean hands
clasped together. He began the
conversation with reference to
the death Of Sir James Prune.
"Poor man, Eh? You say poor
man mid me. Miss Ansccmbe. No
courage. Eli? No courage like
Neester Swete. Eh? You
ask for loan Of ten thousand
Eli? Why not ees Mr.. Anscombe
write me-eh? Oh, yes, in your
letter you tell me. You wish TO
know what security is needed.
Goot! For ten thouyand-eh?
Much money. Yes. t'ink so. Veil,
if il ees true that you are soon to
he the wife Of Meester Swete l
shall be satisfied. haf told"
"You have told-whom?" she
asked. quickly.
81 haf told myself, said the
Jew. chat my principal would be
ssfe in that case. Ten tousand-
Stella beat back the resentful
rush in her throat.
81 prefer 10 enter into these
negotiations without any refer
ence 10 Mr.. Swetc." she said
The Hebrew bowed with cXagger-
alton. He understood, he said. He
was sorry that she Should have
been compelled to visit his place
Of business, but he had doubted
the stories he had heard Of her
approaching engagement an d
wished TO see her, TO satisfy him
self
"Now that hat seen you, Miss
Anscombe, you may assure your
fader that ! shall he happy TO see
him here, or one Of my representa-
tives will call at his place. / con-
graduate you, Miss Anscombe,
hear so much Of Mr.. Swcte. Won
derful man-ycs? / say Of him
that he can see tomorrow ! haye
much gratitude for Mr. Swete.
ManY clients come 10 me from Mr..