The Nome nugget., 1934-09-01
CHAPTER I

Nancy had been aware of 1t. Not once had he taken part in the con versation, and though outwardly unchanged (the girl was proud of her well-groomed, youthful-looklng father) he seemed. somehow, miles and miles away. When even Jacks spirited account of Exeter's victory at the game that afternoon quite failed to rouse him. both aunts glanced up, puzzled; and Mother, saying: Lets have our coffee In the living room," went to her hus- band and touched his shoulder.
 "What's wrong, Jimf Has some thing happened2"
 Dad turned quickly. as If star tied at the question.
 Something has," he admitted, pulling himself together with what seemed to all of them . tremendous effort. land since the little boys away. it's . good time to tell you. Don't bother with coffee tonight, Margaret. Come into the other room and close the door. II must get 1t over."
 But after all. James Nelson did not have to break the news. It was his sister. always quick to grasp situation, who asked as they gathered In the living room: 'Did that crash In the market to- day hit you very hard. Jlmf'
 Her brother nodded-wet his lips.
 "I-rm down and out. Louise" 1" he answered; but Nancy saw that he was looking at her mother. And Mother was looking at him, strange ly. She seemed, thought the girl, stunned for just a moment.
 Down and out" James Nelson repeated grimly. still staring at his wife with eyes that had grown hag- gard. After all these years the 6rm's gone under. I think-I fear, Margaret, that we'll have to begin all over again"
 "Well" couptered Mother, coming suddenly to life, "why notf' She sat down on the davenport beside Dad, and put an arm across his shoulders. '-Tell us, dear, just how bad everything is."
 He drew . relieved breath, as If the worst were over.
 Mot so bad as 1t might be, per haps. can't go into details now {; but at least, I'm not In debt to oth- CTS. That's the thought held onto when I looked at the crowd of des- perate men in the stock exchange this afternoons terrible scene. Their faces-well, I wish l could forget them. I went back to the office and just sat there thinking trying to see my way. I'm fifty-slx. It's not easy to start again at that age, Margaret. This house Is yours; but we can't afford to live here. What hurts me most Is that the hardest part. will fall on you all of you, 1 mean. The servants, too; they'll have to go. And-and Nance was to have had her debut 60 sooni"
 "oh, forget it" The girl spoke fiippantly because she couldn't have spoken otherwise without crying.
 "For my part" observed Jack, T should think Sis would be relieved to get rid of all that fuss. I'll get . job, Dad. l never was keen on college anyway. I was only going so's not to dlsappoint you. And I won't need Mary Ann if go to work. She'll bring in-something." !"
 "Mary Ann' was the boys be- loved roadster. James Nelson's eyes frightened suspiciously as he said {: You're good kids, both of you. I feel better already to have you meet this blow with so much pluck. I knew l could count on Mother; and Phil's too young to feel the hurt Az for you two." Burning to his own sister and his wife's) you're safe, thf 1k heayenl That was my first grain of comfort-relief that I'd put your money into good, de- pendable bonds"
 For mercy's sake r. broke in Aunt Louise. "Why didn't you tell us sooner1 If Judy's savings and mine are still Intact. things aren't so bad. Even with that small capital you can start again, Jim."
 "If you think I'd touch penny" he began. when Aunt Judy Inter rupted.
 "Why shouldn't your What would have now. Jim, if you hadn't man. aged my affairs 60 carefully all these years2 This crash in the mar ket is no fault of yours. Make him see sense. Margaret. Of course he'll take our money if 1t will help"
 Said Mother: Perhaps he won't need to If we sell this house."
 "This is no time to sell real es- tate," Dad told her, ''but I've no doubt we can rent 1t at good price. And If we move to . small apartment. or even into the sub urbs for . while, 50 as to cut all possible expense. 1t will give me A rAnl~