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"But I thought," she said, puzzled, "you went out of it long ago,

before--before--"

"The flood? Yes, my dear, I did I've only been a silent partner for

years--and that in a very s asses who have been running it have got into trouble And they

propose going into bankruptcy, confound the,"

Lloyd Pryor ended calmly, "But I don't understand," she said; "what have you to do with it?"

"Well, I've got to turn to and pay their damned debts"

"Pay their debts? But why? Does the lawat her with cold eyes "I suppose you mean

statute law? No, my dear, it doesn't"

"Then I can't understand it," she declared laughing

"It's nothing very abstruse I can't have stockholders who trusted our

old firm cheated by a couple of cousins of mine I've assumed the

liabilities--that's all"

"But you don't have to, by law?" she persisted, still bewildered

"My dear Nelly, I don't do things because of the law," he said

dryly "But neverto do Tell

me about yourself How are you?"

"I'm--pretty lonely, Lloyd," she said