The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-05-06
CHAPTER VII
Lucy Meets Macklin


Lucy arrived at Newchester shortly
after five, and there, Ames came into
the train to greet her. He noticed that
she looked rather tired, but put that
down TO the length OF the journey.
Within FIVE minutes they were in his
big car, driving TO the Royal hotel
Did your father suggest the Royal
TO your he asked, as they drew up
outside the main entrance.
"No. Jim did :" she answered,
and caught q quick breath.
''Oh, he knows Newchester, then7"
He stayed here, once
ages ago. :" She couldn't say il quite
evenly, because ii was utterly against
her nature TO be anything but abso-
Iutely frank.
IT'S nice, homely place. A bit old
fashioned. but jolly good food of the
roast beef and plum pudding type.
And 1 was able 10 get you the best
suite. I've got to bolt back to Edge
stone just TO clear up some business
left unfinished. Shall you feel suf-
ficiently rested to dine with me to-
night?"
Yes. I'm all right"
Then that's settled. I'll call for
Fou at seven, and then I'll hear all
this pressing reason Of yours for this
perfectly joyful visit. Au revoir."
He left her and she went up TO her
rooms. Here tea was brought to her,
and she drank it gratefully.
She had lot to think about. She
must be careful what she said to
Oliver tonight She must tell him how
she was planning TO help Gresham's,
without making him suspicious that
she had any inner knowledge Of the
situation. For her plan to help Ores
hams was in reality a plan to save
Jim by defeating him. She could not
let him be successful in this fight that
was not a clean fight; this campaign
that all honest men would call a dirty
trick; that would make all decent men
shun him and eye him askance.
If her help should be no good, at least
II should not be said that she had not
tried But Oliver must not know that
her anxiety TO help Gresham's was
just a disguise for her passionate de-
sire TO save Jim.
She dressed presently, and was
ready when Ames called for her. He
took her to the best restaurant in New
chester and when dinner was well un-
der way, said:
Now then, Lucy. what was it you
so urgently wanted to see me about?'
About Gresham's." she answered,
"and Linforths." He looked at her a
little surprised. "Since when has John
Gresham's girl taken such an interest
in the business?" he asked, with q
laugh. She leaned across the table.
"No: don't laugh, Oliver. I'm in
earnest" she protested. Il know I've
never taken much interest in Ores
hams But 1 do now. You can call
it a newly awakeLed sense Of
responsibility, if you like. Anyway, I
don't like TO hear that we are
threatened. Oliver, we mustn't let
Linforths beat US. We mustn't" She
leaned nearer still and her face was
extraordinarily earnest He looked at
her a moment
I'm not going to imagine for a sim
gle second that Linforths will he said
slowly. "And I honestly don't think
Linforths can. The campaign they
are running against US is dead loss
to them pretty nearly every time That
can't go on for long"
1T might go on long enough to drag
us down into the loss, too," she argued.
sOnly II they've a mighty big cap
ital"
Perhaps they have" she said quick
". Perhaps they have heaps of
money; and heaps Of Of mali
cious, reyengeful feeling. :" She
drew 4 breath. He laughed slightly.
They've got that, all right" he said
shortly.
YES" she said slowly. They've
got that all right. / mean" she
caught herself up quickly. They
seem TO have. But they mustn't win.
Oliver. They mustn't be allowed to
win. It win be an awful disaster
IL they" she very nearly had
said "he," should be allowed to win"
"Wei., dear, they sha'n't win II
GEesnaUl > can prevent ll. lou may
be sure Of that. But we, no better
than they, can afford to lose for ever"
he answered
1--we been thinking about II. Oliver,
and il seems as II II would be so ter
ribly important TO US So awful
AZ they should wiz There's nothing
very much can do, but / can help in
one way. Money. Oliver, you can
count on every penny. to the very last,
OF my money, the money that mother
left me; to help Gresham's; to beat
Iinforths."
He looked at her, smiling.
you warm-hearted. generous dear"
he said But your father win never
Nllow your money TO be used"
Then he mustn't know. That's
why came to you. / haven't said
anything to daddy. But, Oliver, IL
yoI were to let Linforths win this dis
graceful victory. because you wouldn't