ally.

"Everything! everything!" he said in despair. "I've been a fool! I've
been blind!"

So bitter was his tone that Thorpe was startled. The lumberman sat down
on the other side of the desk.

"That'll do, Wallace," he said sharply. "Tell me briefly what is the
matter."

"I've been speculating!" burst out the boy.

"Ah!" said his partner.

"At first I bought only dividend-paying stocks outright. Then I bought
for a rise, but still outright. Then I got in with a fellow who claimed
to know all about it. I bought on a margin. There came a slump. I met
the margins because I am sure there will be a rally, but now all my
fortune is in the thing. I'm going to be penniless. I'll lose it all."

"Ah!" said Thorpe.

"And the name of Carpenter is so old-established, so honorable!" cried
the unhappy boy, "and my sister!"

"Easy!" warned Thorpe. "Being penniless isn't the worst thing that can
happen to a man."

"No; but I am in debt," went on the boy more calmly. "I have given
notes. When they come due, I'm a goner."

"How much?" asked Thorpe laconically.

"Thirty thousand dollars."

"Well, you have that amount in this firm."

"What do you mean?"

"If you want it, you can have it."

Wallace considered a moment.

"That would leave me without a cent," he replied.

"But it would save your commercial honor."

"Harry," cried Wallace suddenly, "couldn't this firm go on my note for
thirty thousand more? Its credit is good, and that amount would save my
margins."

"You are partner," replied Thorpe, "your signature is as good as mine in
this firm."

"But you know I wouldn't do it without your consent," replied Wallace
reproachfully. "Oh, Harry!" cried the boy, "when you needed the amount,
I let you have it!"

Thorpe smiled.

"You know you can have it, if it's to be had, Wallace. I wasn't
hesitating on that account. I was merely trying to figure out where we
can raise such a sum as sixty thousand dollars. We haven't got it."

"But you'll never have to pay it," assured Wallace eagerly. "If I can
save my margins, I'll be all right."

"A man has to figure on paying whatever he puts his signature to,"
asserted Thorpe. "I can give you our note payable at the end of a year.
Then I'll hustle in enough timber to make up the amount. It means we
don't get our railroad, that's all."

"I knew you'd help me out. Now it's all right," said Wallace, with a
relieved air.

Thorpe shook his head. He was already trying to