"Not much I won't."
"There's my hand then," and she gave him her hand.
He grasped it, squeezed it and did just what any other well-regulated boy would have done under such circumstances–kissed her on the lips.
"Hello! Spooning, by George!" cried Fred, suddenly entering the room. "In business hours, too."
Gertie hid her face in her hands, but Bob turned and replied:
"This is very important business for me, Fred, and she—"
"It is very pleasant business, I should say," said Fred, interrupting him with aggravating coolness.
"Pleasant is no name for it," returned Bob. "We have just engaged to marry each other in two years."
"Well, it jiggers me! She's a splendid girl. I congratulate you, old man!" and he grasped Bob's hand and shook it warmly.
The second day after he bought his seat in the Stock Exchange Rock Island advanced to 90. Bryant was the kingpin in the Rock Island deal. He saw Fred watching the board which told how the stock stood. Rock Island stood at 92 when business for the day ended. Next day Bryant forced the stock up to 95, when Fred dumped his 15,000 shares on the market. Bryant had to take them. Then the price broke. A panic resulted. Bowles clutched Fred by the arm. Fred sprang nimbly out of his reach, and the old man fell prone to the floor, where he lay still like one dead.