iss Drew saw him quite as often as before the impo

remembered that "a man who wins a girl after an ardent suit is often lik

s of his assured position. Each day he sent her flowers and considered that he had more than done his duty. He used n

res. He could not go on forever with his dinners. People were already beginning to refer to the fact that he was warming his toes on the Social Register, and he had no desire to become the laughing stock of the town. The few slighting, sarcastic remarks about his business ability, chiefly by women and therefore reflected from the men, hurt him. Miss Drew's apparently harmless taunt and Mrs. Dan's open criticism told plainly enough how the wind was blowing, but it was Peggy's gentle question

nced him that Lumber and Fuel Common was the one stock in which he could safely plunge. Casting aside all apprehension, so far as Swearengen Jones was concerned, he prepared for what was to be his one and only venture on the Stock E

ossibly go a fraction of a point higher. Take my advice and don't touch it. It opened to-d

science smote him when he saw the flush of mortification creep int

least let me tell you something about this st

if ever a man felt sure about anything I do about

n in the north and west are overstocked, and there is a strike ready to go into effect

you or will you not execute an order for me at the opening to-morrow? I'll st

Gardner, Brewster adhered to his design, and the broker executed the order the next morning. He knew that Brewster had but one chance to win, and that

y, but nobody looked for a sensation in Lumber and Fuel. It was a foregone conclusion that a slump was coming, and there was scarcely any trading in the stock. When Elon Gardner, acting for Montgome

e knew the venture was to be a failure in the ordinary sense he found joy in the knowledge that he was doing something. He might be a fool, he was at least no longer ina

ding-room he observed that men were looking at him in a manner less casual than was customary. Some of them went so far as to smile encouragingly, and others waved their hands in the most cordial f

ht sight of the young man. He came forward to meet hi

a point or two now, I believe, but half an hour ago she was

ry action seemed to put new life into the stock. Just as it was on the point of breaking for lack of support along came this sensational order for ten thousand shares; and th

in Lumber and Fuel had been a master-stroke of cleverness when conside

it was at the top," sai

e the word," said Monty, lamely. Several of t

tell him to sell," rema

other side will drive prices down. They won't be caught n

there was a note of r

s not to be pushed. He calmly lighted a cigarette, and with an

ing off," said some

d to go down and there seemed no reason why it should stop. As he intended to purchase no more it was fair to assume that the backbone was at the breaking point. The crash was bound

e message came that the threatened strike was off, and that the men were willing to arbitrate. Almost before one could draw breath this startling news began to make itself felt. The certainty of a great strike

digging Monty in the side. "I had

o 113 and soaring. Brewster, panic-stricken,

tement, was delighted when h

you after the close. How the dev

rice now?" as

e-fourths, and going u

ll go down again?"

I can

go and sell out,

's going

you! Didn'

ne at prices ranging from 114 to 112 1/2, but Montgomery Brewster had clea