Page:Dangerous Business (1927).pdf/118



Ellen had clipped with his, from the newspaper, the companion picture of Lida which the Mettens had admired and she bought all the New York papers, as well as the Chicago ones, to study every mention of Jay and Lida, but she could make no more than before of their marriage.

Where would he go with his wife, what would he do when his thousand dollars were spent? Ellen debated over and over. Beside her in the office, his father was waiting for the same event, she felt—the end of his thousand dollars. It was as if his father held him on a tether, shortening each day as Jay's money melted. When all was spent, his father would have him completely in hand.

Such was the sensation of working beside Mr. Rountree during this winter week wherein the newspaper correspondence from southern resorts twice mentioned the runaway bride and groom at Tryston, but Jay gave no account whatever of himself.

Wednesday upturned everything. The day began with a letter from Lew Alban upon his new stationery as president of the Alban Appliance Company, addressing Mr. Rountree and instructing him—there was no other tone to it—to complete delivery upon unfilled orders by January thirtieth. The more ominous feature of the letter was the omission of reference to February requirements. Ellen gave the letter to Mr. Rountree as soon as he ap-