San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-17

TequirSu d IiSuTcuedu luz tHcil
damnable city operations = the
Mercury Investment Company
couldn't stand without one-for
their names and their titles
wouldn't have attracted four
penny bit from a speculative
crossing-sweeper. Lord Brunton's
name was good enough for every
doubter in the kingdom"
Swete took fresh cigarette
from his case and tapped the end
viciously. The visitor sat back in
his chair, impassive; he had heard
this story of Lord Brunton score
of times, but he never interrupted
on principle.
"When the smash was immi-
nent," Swete went on, "they didn't
even take Lord Brunton into their
confidence. You may say that as
a director he should have kept him.
self acquainted with the affairs of
the company: well, he didn't. He
had implicit faith in his co-direc-
tors-the Prunes, the Anscombes,
the Dellows-oh, I've got the list!
He was Mortified, stunned when
he learned the truth; he sold
everything he possessed to stem
the tide and what did they do?
Waited until he was ruined-wait-
ed until, in his anguish of mind,
he took his own life.
"And then, the fiends, they fas-,
tened the blame for the Mercury
smash on him! God forgive them,
they had no respect for the dead.
You remember Anscombe's snivel-
ing story at the inquest. All the
blame on the dear old pater! My
God! And / was thousands of
miles away. Making money under
another name because-because l
didn't want to hurt the pater's
feelings by using his in commerce.
81 had been away ten years and
more; I'd forgotten London. But
l could have saved him if l had
known the circumstances" He
strobe to and fro for a moment.
"They tell me-" he said, with
increasing bitterness, "that you
dare not mention the name Of
Lord Brunton in the north of Eng
land. There were so many small
investors swamped in the Mercury
disaster. And yet he flung his
whole private fortune into the mess
in an effort to save it.
"The others recouped themselves
from his sacrifices and to-day they
pose as ornaments of society; the
name of Brunton stinks. And so+
Sir James Prune is filing his petit
ton. Good! And Anscombe is
lettering! Looking for rich SON
in-law, is he? Well, he shall find
one. What do you think of the |
arrangements for the ball at Ard
ingly place."
81 am interested naturally"
"Of course you are. Ardingly's |
brother-in-law was in the Mercury |
crash; | haven't forgotten that"
"Ardingly himself is rather |
scared of creditors these days"
Swete laughed softly.
"If you ask me-" he said, $50
ciety as a whole is scared of cred !
itors. There never was a time in |
London when the crinkling of a |
ten-pound note attracted so many
people to ones side. This ball is !
going to give them something to
talk about"
"fhe newspapers are already
guessing at the cost"
an the neighborhood of five
thousand. It's worth it. Now, I'll
give you list Of people | partic-
ularly wish to be there. Compare
the names with those on your list
and see to it that they are persuad-
ed to accept the invitation"
He handed his visitor a sheet of
foolscap and it was placed care
fully away in a wallet.
Swete smiled at a fugitive
thought. Then:
Looking for a son-in-law, eh-
Anscombe? That's an idea. Why,
why shouldn't he find one in me?"
ain yoU?"
"Not sufficiently attractive, eh?"
"You have no-no love for the
LADY,"
mot the slightest"
"Have you met her recently?"
"To-day, in the park. Stopped
her nag from making an exhibition
Ct her and she thanked me with a
frozen stare"
Didn't impress you?"
"Not the slightest. Not my
type His eyes glowed as he
went on. "But I'd like TO make
love to her. I'd like to AXE Ans
combe think was in love with his
daughter. I'd like the privilege
Of declining with thanks when
Anscombe was at the end Of his
tather-down. broken. That nv