The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-11
CAST OF CHARACTERS

NALAN JEFFRY, hero, ring
BARRY WENTWORTH, Jirrs
/ stepbrother.
JACK WENTWORTH. Jill.
brother.
SYLVIA SUTTON. oil heires..
I Yesterday: Ardath leaves Alan's
studio after destroying his por-
trait. The next day Alan decides
to sail for England and his home
after talking with Ainsley. Jill
had toppled his world!
CHAPTER Xxx
The soft closing of the front
door behind Jill had not disturbed
John Wentworth, who sat in a
deep chair by the fire in his
study. 1t had not disturbed Bar
ry, who had gone back to the
music room when Jill fled up
stairs, and now was sprawled on
a cushioned divan in the music
room.
John Wentworth had been sit
ting there, his eyes on the fire,
since the close of a second and
briefer conference with Oscar
Montanne.
The second conference had been
very different from the first. In
the first he had pitted his wits
against man who had once been
his friend. a man who had turn
ed suddenly into an enemy, deter
mined upon his ruin.
And then, Jill had come in to
announce her engagement to Os-
car Montanne's son. There had
been second transformation
then. even more startling than the
first. Everything had been sweet
ness and light.
They had gone back to the study
from the ballroom. He and Mon
tame.
ave been wrong" Montanne
had said gruffly. 81 had become
frightened, | suppose by the
changing aspects, affecting big
business. But families must hold
together. Pm going to stick with
you, of course, John. I'm sure |
can swing the others back into
line. The loan will go through,
of course, though it's a bigger
loan than ! would extend any
other man at this time
But winning the battle had
brought no glow of victory. 1t
was humiliating to find suddenly
that the balance Of power through
which he was holding his immense
investments was q sheer economic
hairlinc: and that the loss Of one
powerful financial adherent could
change the scene that his own
power, personality and business
acumen had kept in its present
focus.
He was tired. Infinitely weary
of the strain. And there would
be months of wary watchfulncss
and Cancellation before his bust
ness would swing clear again-bc-
yond what he now saw was a vi
cious financial circle. He had got
himself in this plight by depend
in gtoo much on the friendship
of three men. And friendship had
failed him.
Or rather. it would have failed
him if Jill had not become en-
gagged to Milo Montannc. He was
b troubled about Jill. He had never
believed she cared anything for
Milo. Could it be possible that
she had realized the strain being
put upon him?
He could not bear 10 think that.
1t couldn't be true that Jill had
sacrificed herself for him. She had
come in too radiant and proud.
She must have become fond Of
Milo. He hoped she was not daz-
alcd by Milo's great wealth.
He got up suddenly, glancing
at the clock. Twenty minutes to
six. Great heaven, he had been
here for hours going over the
same ground and getting nowhere
beyond the fact that his business
trials we're over, for the present
at least.
He walked heavily toward the
hall. When he had gone to his
study the place had blazed with
lights. The entrance was a gloomy
cavern now, but a faint glow came
from the music room.
John Wentworth frowncd slight
~, his mood still marked by the
rigors of his past struggle.
I These young people wasted pen
MES prodigally, not realizing that
pennies made dollars. He smiled
a little at the trend of his think
ing. No pennies, or misery hoard
ed dollars, could count in battle
that had to do with millions. Many
millions.
His faint smile was erased as
/ he reached the door of the music
room. The light there was blaz-
ing down from a glittering chan
delier. 1t revealed the figure of
Barry. his head buried in pillow.
The lines Of worry deepened on
John Wentworth's weary face as
he studied the sleeper, taking in
the flushed face and tousled hair.
The fool. The besotted young
fool. He should have real rak-
ing down. Yet it would probably
do no good. A hard, impenetrable
sheet of callousness and ruthless
ness had grown over any manly
qualities Barry might once have
had. He hated to believe Barry
had never possessed those quail
ties.
He moved and Barry opened
drink-dulled eyes, meeting the
quiet brooding gaze of his step
father.
= $50 it's my thoughtful parent.
M:,.Lt 7 tLo ,aocn,, fnN. tho