In Sight of St. Paul's — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

12 A CRUSHING BLOW. this is only a business matter, and I am surprised that you should speak of it at such atime. It shall -be met, of course. I fear I have kept my boys too short, especially Harry. It shall be different in the future. Before you leave, sir,’? with a stiff bow, ‘‘you shall have my check.— Now for our toast!’ ‘Stop!’ interposed Gridston, quietly but firmly. ‘‘T haven’t done yet.”’ “Tm ruined!’? muttered Harry, shaking like an aspen leaf. Tom seized him and drew him away a little, to where they were comparatively isolated. ‘‘Harry,’’ he said, in a quick, excited undertone, ‘Sf I save you, will you swear to give up this woman and make Aileen happy? Your answer, at once.”’ ‘“Yes, I will,’ returned Harry, ready to snatch at any straw, to promise anything if only this exposure could be averted. | Tom scarcely knew just what he was going to do, but, for the moment, Harry’s promise satisfied him. He turned again to hear what was going on. ‘“This bill, Mr. Chichester,’’? Gridston was saying, calmly, but yet with a faint ring of triumph in his voice. ‘‘This bill was given to me by your son in payment ofa debt of honor; but it proved valueless, until—until | ‘“Until what?’’ demanded Mr. Chichester, as Grid- ston halted in apparent embarrassment. Gomicbooks (E(0)