The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-11
CHAPTER xxx

The soft closing or the IIont uVOt behind Jill had not disturbed John Wentworth, who sat in @ deep chair by the fire in his study. It had not disturbed Barry, who had gone back to the music room when .jiil fled upstairs, and now was sprawled on Q cushioned oiVan m the music room. ,
 John wentworth had been sitting there, his eyes on the fire, since the close of Q second briefer conference with Oscar Montanne.
 The second conference had been very different from the first. In the first he had pitted his wits against a man who had once been his friend. A man who had turned suo. denly into an enemy, determined upon his ruin.
 And then, Jill had come in to an- nounce her engagement to Oscar Montanne's son. There had been Q second transformation then, even more startling than the first. Every thing had been sweetness and light
 They had gone back to the stuoy from the ballroom. He and Mon- tame.
 "f'ye been wrong" Montanne had said gruffly. T had become fright ened, suppose by the changing aspects, affecting big business. But families must hold together. I'm go- inR to stick with you, of course, John, I'm sure I can swing the others beck into line. The loan VIII go through, of course, though its a bigger loan than l would extend any other man at this time"
 But winning the battle had brought no glow of victory. It was humiliating to find suddenly that the balance of power through which he was holding his immense invest ments was e sheer economic hair- line: and that the loss of one pow. erful financial adherent could change the scene that his own power, personality and business acu- men had kept in its present focus.
 iIe was tired. Infinitely weary or thu strain. And there would pc months of wary wAtchiulness and conciliation before lis business would swing clear Again beyond what he now saw was @ vicious fl- nai,cial circle. He had got himself in this plight by depending too much on the friendship of three men. And friendship had failed hiOl. ,.s
 Or rather, 1t would have failed him If Jill had not become engaged to Milo Montanne. He was troubled al,out Jill. He had never believed she cared anything for Milo. Could Al be possible that she had realized the strain being put upon himT
 Nc could not bear to think that. I 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 dazzled by MiloS great wealth.
 lie got up suddenly, glancing ct the clock. Twenty minutes to SIX. Great heaven, he had been here TOT hours going over the same ground and getting nowhere beyond the fact that his business trials were 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 c faint glow came rom the music room. ..,..
 .John wentworth frowned slightly, l,is mood still marked by the rigors of his past struggle. ,
 These young people wasted pen. nies prodigally, not realizing tnat pennies made dollars. He smllea :" little ct the trend of his thinking No pennies, or miserly hoarded dol. lars. could count in 0 battle that had to do with millions. Many mil- lions. l.. reached the door Of the music roofii, The light there was blazing down from e glittering chandelier It reavealed the figure Of Barry, ms head buried in e pillow. The lines of worry deepened on John went. worth's weary face as he studied the sleeper, taking in the flushed face and tousled hair.
 The fool. The besotted young fooi. He should have Q real rak- inR down. Yet 1t would probably do no good. A hard, impenetrable sheet of cailousness and ruthlessneSs had grown over any manly quahtieS