Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 137: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

0 ah, 7) ; Spo i ATU a“, AINHAM sat at his desk staring 7“ moodily at a letter which his private k “secretary had just delivered. He knew the writing. He ripped it open and read: Dear Sir: The interest on your mortgage is now over- due. Unless the money is forthcoming imme- diately, I shall be forced to foreclose. Very truly, JoHN CRANHOUSE. Rainham slowly placed the letter on the desk-blotter. He bit at his thin lips. For the,money could not be forthcoming. He had exhausted all his resources. That would mean that the home of his ancestors with its broad, pleasant acres must follow the downward course of everything else. He knitted his brow in a futile attempt to see a way out. Yet he knew there was none. His credit was void—his resources nil. He picked up thé letter again. Its curt lines bit into his brain like corroding acid. That was like Cranhouse—damned leech, blood-sucker! Here he knew that he could Hp ta ygiedSte4 ii\= It was unmistakable, - t 4 = . By FLORENCE M. PETTEE hope for no leniency. And Cranhouse had long wanted Broadlawns. Darker and darker grew Rainham’s face. At this moment the dapper secretary re- entered. “ About these letters, sir—” he began. Carston was above all things observing. He saw the black fury which covered Rain- ham’s face. He noted the open letter ‘which ‘he had just before delivered. He was familiar with the chirography-of Cran- house. There had been other epistles, all of a similar character—demanding overdue money in peremptory terms. ~ Financial clouds had been slowly, but surely, g ing for the last few months. But previdusly Rainham had in some way weathered the impending storm. Could he no longer stave it off? Carston coughed apologetically. « About these letters, sir?” he began again. Rainham glared at him with bloodshot eyes. He banged a fist on the desk. “To hell with the letters! Can’t you see I’m busy! Don’t interrupt me again until I ring. Do you hear?” 766 |_ an GOMIIGoOO ather- - CO