The Early Bird: A Business Man's Love Story

VIOLEN

coldly against the matter of control, and on comparing the apparent situation in New York with the situation at Meadow Brook, he made sure that he could secure more advantageous terms with the Princeman crowd. He spent his time in wrestli

ime in talking business with her father, he had not been able to come near her. She was always engaged. He saw her riding with Hollis; he saw her driving with Princeman; he saw her playing tenni

morning; he practised every day at tennis and croquet; every evening he bowled; and every time some one sat at the piano and played dance music and the young people

attention to this absorbing amusement, out of which all the men, that is, those who were really strong and purposeful, seem to derive so much satisfaction! On the following Monday

shelters; young couples, engaged in that fascinating pastime of finding out all they could about each other, and wondering about each other, and revealing themselves to each other as much as they cared to do, and flirting; oh, in a perfectly respectable sort of a way, you know; legitimate and commendable flirting; the sort of flirting which is only experimental and necessary

warf cedars, were Miss Westlake and Mr. Turner, and Sam could not tell you to this

ying. "I've been talking a lot to papa about it here

that he had better look out for himself if that were the case, since the most of

osition, too, in your new Marsh Pulp Company." Sh

, if I can keep hold of it." Inwardly he added,

ughed

stock means, although I've had papa explain it to me. I gather this much, however, that it is someth

cted her

really knew and understood. "But maybe your father wouldn't like your repeating to me what you acc

f stock to us in our own names. But I've never done any actual voting on it. I've only given proxies. I sign a little blank, you know, that papa fills out for me and shows me where to put my name and mails to somebody or other, or else takes it and

may eventually own some stock in the Marsh P

or this stock, and let Billy have the next that he buys. I hope he does take a good lot of it. Isn't this the dearest place imaginable?" and with charming na?veté she

rable thoughtfulness, and once more

be weighed by the pound. Sam was bound to admit, after thoughtful judgment, that Miss Westlake might be personally attractive to a great many people, but really ther

this little semi-circle had been built out of these loose rocks by desig

"He never does. He takes out the stock

ly he'd hold it long enough to vote a

just yet, but I'm going to learn all about such things," and she looked across

turning, they saw Miss Hastings and Billy Westlake, who both waved t

rly ready, all but that, and they're waiting for you over at the glade. My, what a dear little place this is! How did you ever find it?" Miss Hastings was now quite conspicuously panting and fann

Turner in sheer wonder that they were not startled into betrayal of how shocked they were. Whatever strong emotions they might have had upon that subject were utterly without reflection upon

urnament to-night," he observed with self-urge

o's going to carry off the honors for Meadow Brook. Bowled an average

with a wry smile. "I think I would get along all right, thoug

gravely. Since Sam did not sm

know," he protested, as he took his si

ind. She was an exclamation point of admiration about an endless variety of things; about the dear little amphitheatre, about how well her friend Miss Westlake was looking and how successful Hallie had been this

ld out her hand to be helped down the slope. That was really a very slippery rock, and it was probably no fault of Miss Hastings that her feet slipped and that she had to throw herself squarely into Mr. Turner's embrace, and even throw her arm up over his shoulder to save herself. It was a staggery place, even for a sturdily muscled young man like Mr. Turner to keep his footing, and with that fair burden upon him he had to st

o them, but Miss Stevens turned squarely about in the direction of the g

ened, except by walking with a limp, albeit a very slight one, as she returned to the glade. That limp comforted Mr. Turner somewhat, and, spying Miss Stevens in a little group

ng in the offing, saw him do it, which was a great satisfaction to her. Later she seized upon him, although he had savagely sworn to stick to the men, and by some incomprehensible process Sam found himself once more tête-à-tête with Miss Westlake, just over at the edge of the glade where the sumac grew. She made him gather a lot of the