FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76  
77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   >>   >|  
nery was so great that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters he had dictated for the noon mail. So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. Marshall's private office. He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. "Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had sent in. "Yes, sir." "I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and have no sympathy with your side." "That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. "I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young Gates." "Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" "I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." "He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." "I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible for his folly." "He stole my money." "It is true, Mr. Marshall." "And he deserves a term in state's prison." "I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." "In what way, Mr. Forbes?" "I'll make your money loss good." "It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." "I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the prosecution." "And the costs?" "I'll pay all the costs besides." "You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" "I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss and are paid for your annoyance." "You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young Gates. He had h
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76  
77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Kenneth

 

Marshall

 
Forbes
 

annoyance

 

forged

 

prison

 

dollars

 

prosecution

 

matter

 
manager

appearing

 
detested
 
grasping
 
moment
 
valuable
 

considerable

 

devoting

 

hesitated

 

proceedings

 

desire


evident

 

advantage

 

Nevertheless

 

endeavor

 

disposition

 

Please

 

business

 

standpoint

 
reasons
 

delivery


deserves

 

foolish

 

withdrawal

 

suffer

 
hundred
 
settle
 

simpler

 
compromising
 
recover
 

ungraciously


motioned
 
seated
 

looked

 

private

 

office

 

Elmhurst

 

election

 

campaign

 

resumed

 

bothered