It was because of him that I left school
and afterward sought to earn my own living. You know, Rosalie, how Tom
Reddon came into my life. He was the son of William Reddon, my
stepfather's business partner, who had charge of the Western branch of
the concern in Chicago. We lived in Chicago for several years,
establishing the business. Mr. Banks was until recently president of the
Banks & Reddon Iron Works. Last year, you doubtless know, the plant was
sold to the great combine and the old company passed out of existence.
This act was the result of a demand from England that the trust under
which he served be closed and struck from the records. It was his plan
to settle the matter, turn the inheritance over to me according to law,
and then impose upon my inexperience for all time to come. The money,
while mine literally, was to be his in point of possession.
"But he had reckoned without the son of his partner. Tom Reddon in some
way learned the secret, and he was compelled to admit the young man into
all of his plans. This came about some three years ago, while I was in
school. I had known Tom Reddon in Chicago. He won my love. I cannot deny
it, although I despise him to-day more deeply than I ever expect to hate
again. He was even more despicable than my stepfather. Without the
faintest touch of pity, he set about to obliterate every chance Rosalie
could have had for restitution.
Pages:
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319