Part 15 (1/2)
”I can't go back to Mr. Bowles office any more, Bob.”
”Why not?”
”He told me this morning that Mr. Bryant's typewriter was sick, and that I would have to go up to his office to do some work for him. I said I was not working for Mr. Bryant and did not care to go to his office. He replied that he and Bryant were in a deal together, and that I must go and earn my salary.”
”The old brute!” exclaimed Bob. ”Just stay right here. I can get plenty of work for you.”
”But I have no machine,” she replied, and her eyes filled with tears.
”We have got to have one some day and may as well have it now as at any other time. I'll get the money and you can go and buy one,” and turned and went out to the banking room, got $100 from the cas.h.i.+er and went back to her.
He found her with her face buried in her hands and sobbing as though her heart would break.
”Why, what in thunder is the matter, Gertie?” he exclaimed.
”Oh, Bob, I--I--you seem to be the only friend I have in the world.”
”Well, I'm much afraid that I'll stand by you till I can't breathe.
Come, brace up. Here's one hundred dollars. Go and buy a machine. Get the best in the market. If that isn't enough, come back and get more.
I'll let Bowles and Bryant both know that my girl can get on without them!” and he thrust the roll of bills into her hands as she spoke.
”Bob, am I your girl?” she asked, looking shyly up at him through her tears.
”Of course you are, unless you don't want to be.”
”You won't go back on me when you get rich, will you?” she asked.
”Not much I won't.”
”There's my hand then,” and she gave him her hand.
He grasped it, squeezed it and did just what any other well-regulated boy would have done under such circ.u.mstances--kissed her on the lips.
”h.e.l.lo! Spooning, by George!” cried Fred, suddenly entering the room.
”In business hours, too.”
Gertie hid her face in her hands, but Bob turned and replied:
”This is very important business for me, Fred, and she---”
”It is very pleasant business, I should say,” said Fred, interrupting him with aggravating coolness.
”Pleasant is no name for it,” returned Bob. ”We have just engaged to marry each other in two years.”
”Well, it jiggers me! She's a splendid girl. I congratulate you, old man!” and he grasped Bob's hand and shook it warmly.
The second day after he bought his seat in the Stock Exchange Rock Island advanced to 90. Bryant was the kingpin in the Rock Island deal.
He saw Fred watching the board which told how the stock stood. Rock Island stood at 92 when business for the day ended. Next day Bryant forced the stock up to 95, when Fred dumped his 15,000 shares on the market. Bryant had to take them. Then the price broke. A panic resulted.