Chapter XIV: Fred Proposes to Callie

When the two ladies were gone Fred muttered to himself:

"They made me do an unbusinesslike thing--because they are women. She brought Eva along to make sure I would not refuse her. True, Eva indorsed the note, but she is a minor, and so the indorsement is not worth a cent. I don't believe she has a tip. There's nothing doing in the Street now that I know anything about. I think it was for the benefit of her husband, and no one else. Sorry I didn't ask what the tip was since I have to take all the risks. Ah, here comes Callie!"

Callie came into the little private office unannounced.

"Mr. Bryant is in Bowles' power for $10,000, and a warrant is out for him. Mrs. Bryant came to the bank to fix it up, and Eva Gaines was with her. They could not do anything with Mr. Barron and I heard Eva whisper to Mrs. Bryant: 'Let's go and see Fred Halsey.' I got away as quick as I could so you may know what to do when they come."

"You came too late, Callie," he said, shaking his head.

"Have they been here?"

"Yes,"

"What did they do?"

"They got $10,000 out of me."

"You goose, you! You need a guardian, Fred Halsey!"

"I guess you are right, and I believe I'll apply for one this very day."

"What was Mr. Allison about?"

"He doesn't know a thing about it. I couldn't refuse 'em, they came at me in such a way. If I had a wife, I think I would be safer in such matters."

"So do I. You need one badly, young as you are," and she laughed saucily at him.

"Well, let's call a carriage and drive to the mayor's office. He'll tie us up hard and fast."

Her big brown eyes opened wide and stared at him.

"Do you mean you want to marry me?" she asked.

"Yes. You have more sense than any girl I know of."

"Fred, if you love me and want me for that reason alone, I'll marry you. But if you want me simply for business reasons, I won't."

"Callie, you sweet little goose, I've been dead in love with you for six months, and have asked myself a thousand times, 'Will she have me if I ask her?' and now I ask you--will you be my wife?"

"Yes, Fred."

"Do you love me?" he asked her impulsively.

"Yes, yes. Oh, Fred, I am so happy now that I know you love me! I was so afraid you did not."

Fred caught her in his arms and kissed her, saying:

"Let's drive to the mayor's office at once, and---."

"No, that won't do. We both have mothers who love us. They will be glad to know that we love each other. Let's wait a little while and have a quiet wedding at my mother's home."

"How long do you want me to wait?"

"Will a month be too long?"

"Hang it, yes. Make it two weeks and it's a go."

"Well, say two weeks, then."

He kissed her again.

"Hello! Spooning!" cried Bob, coming in at that moment.

"Yes," replied Fred. "We got it bad," and he kissed her again.

"Yum-yum!" said Bob. "Wish my girl was here," and he wiped his mouth and laughed.

"Say, pard," said Fred, "we are going to hitch in two weeks."

"Great Scott! Why such haste?"

"Old age is coming on and we want all there is in life for us, eh, Callie?"

"You are doing all the talking, Fred," Callie replied.

Bob and Fred laughed, and Callie joined in finally. She was a very happy girl.

"How about my position at Barron's, Fred?" she asked.

"Give it up, of course. Do you know a poor girl who wants the place?"

"I do," said Bob.

"Who is she?"

"A friend of Gertie's. She's a good one, too."

"Well, let's see her before Callie steps down and out."

"I'll tell Gertie about it to-night."

"Yes."

"Oh, I must see Gertie myself. Let me tell her all about it," said Callie.

Bob was with Gertie in her home that evening when Callie and Fred called. The two girls were soon planning for a double wedding, and ere they parted it was arranged that both should marry on the same evening. The young inventor of the gas-saving machine was now a frequent caller at the Halsey residence, for Adah was a beautiful girl, who was fast developing into a splendid woman. She was the magnet that drew him to the house. As he was studious, industrious, and withal a genius, Fred was glad to see an attachment growing up between them. Callie resigned her place as stenographer and typewriter for Banker Barron, and succeeded in getting Gertie's friend employed in her place. She and Gertie then proceeded to make preparations to marry the young bankers and speculators.

In the meantime Fred was busy in the Stock Exchange, trying to find out what Broker Bryant was doing. He kept his eyes wide open all the time to see if he was working on any particular stock. But the burly broker seemed to have nothing at all to do. Fred noticed that he and old Bowles no longer spoke as they passed by.

By that he knew Callie had got the story right, and that Bryant had escaped the old man's clutches only by paying up the last penny he owed him. He went to the old man and said he wanted to buy futures on P. & K.

"How much and how long?" the old man asked.

"Five thousand shares for ten days."

The trade was made, and Fred then went quietly to work buying up the 7,000 shares that were on the market. He bought at 67, in a few days he met Bryant on the street and said to him:

"I want to see you privately if you feel like doing any business with me."

Bryant was quite astonished, and asked:

"Is there any money in it?"

"I think there is."

"Then I am at your service."

Fred had a confidential talk with him, during which the broker admitted that Bowles had ruined him financially by getting a technical grip on him.

"Well, I have got a grip on him, I think," Fred explained, "and if you want your revenge, you can have it."