The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-08
HEREMORE-BRANDON
THE FORTUNES OF A NEwsBoY.
Continued. |
CHAPTER Wiz.

Continued
CHAPTER VIII.
As might have been supposed, Dick was at
Mr. Brandon's office long before that gentleman
made his appearance down town. 1t was
shltry morning, with occasional snatches of
rain to make the gloomy streets more gloomy,
and the depressing atmosphere more deprea-
sing. Mr.. Brandon was sensitive to heat; he
had no cool summer retreat to 60 to in the
evenings and return with O rose in his button
hole in the mornings; and as, instead Of being
grateful for the many years in which he had
enjoyed this luxury, he was disposed to con-
slider himself decidedly ill-used In not havin
it still, 80 soon rs he fouud Dick waiting TO
him, he began his repinngs in the most queru-
ious of all his tones:
pretty hard u man who has had his own
country-place and been his own lord and mas
ter, to come down to this blistering old hole
every morning, isn't it, Mr. Heremoref Well
well, some people have no feeling! There are
those old nabobs who were hand and glove
with me, mighty glad OF dinner with me,
and where are they now Do they come around
with HoW are you, BrandonP and invitations
to their dinners Indeed not!'
"Mr. Brandon, have come to talk to you
aboat some business" began Dick, who had
prepared o dozen introd uctions, ali forgottsh
at the needed moment; then abruptly, "IEr.
Brandon, did you ever hear my name, the
name of Heremore, before s
1t would be false to say that Mr.. Brandon
showed any emotion beyond that of natural
surprise at the abruptuess Of the question bat
it is safe to add that the surprise was very
great, almost exaggerated. He replied coolly
an oh ha hunn N His hat nd do
wping his face with his handkerchief: "Here-
moref 1t is not, to say, a common name;
and may may not have heard it before.
One who has been in the world SO long a.
have, Mr.. Heremore, can hardly be expected to
know what names he has or has not heard in
the course of bis life. l suppose you ask for
some especial reason"
lido" said Dick, little staggered by the
others unembsrrassed reply. Did you not
once know gentleman in Wiltshire, called
DIR. Heremore ~
"This is close questioning from young man
in your position to an old gentleman In mine,
and am slightly curious to know your object
in asking before reply"
al believe you were married twice, Mr..
Brandon, and that your first wife's maiden
name was Heremorep
Well-0Du Lnen y
"And then she died while you were away,
believing You were dead and that she had
two children" said Dick, who began to feel
uneasy under the steady, smiling gaze of the
other" and that she had two children, q son
and daughter"
almost any one can tell you that my family
consists of my frst wife's daughter, and two
sons by my second wife. But that's of no con-
sequence. Two children, son aud q. daughter,
you we're saying"
Eyes, two ; although you may have been adj
to trace only one. She died ip great poverty,
did she not 7"
al decline answering any questions. am
highly hattered-oharmed, ibdeed-at the in
terest yOu show in my family by these remarkSi
and can only regret thst my fortunes are
now so low that know Of no way In which 70
prove my grateful appreciation Of the manner
in which you must have labored IN order 20
know 80 much. In happier times, mighS
have secured you place in the police depart
ment; but unfortunately, 1 am q ruined nap'
unable to assist any one at present"
At this speech, which was delivered in thes
most lanquid manner, aud in tone that va
infinitely more insulting than the WoTds, DICK
was on the point OF thruStiDg his DOthsFs
letter before the mans eyes, to show by what
rueaus he had obtained bis knowledge; bat
the cool words, the Indifferent manner, had
great feet upon our hero, who found IL every
moment more difRcult TO believe in the theory
that from the irst had seemed a. likely 70 be