The National tribune., 1884-10-23
CHAPTER II.

ment with hard labor.
CHAPTER H..
The two years passed swiftly by. / had
nearly forgotten Macfarlanc. The only result
of the affair rs regards me had been that my
partners conceived an exaggerated notion OF
my ability and tact, and reposed greater conf
dence in me than before
The firm OF which / was a junior partner was
an old d-esiabiished one Our business was that
OF manufacturing goldsmiths and was q profit
able one However trade was by no means
so prosperous rs it had been; in spite of unre-
1nitting efforts the income of the firm grad
ually sank. Our only consolation was the
knowledge that our rivals suffered even more
than we did.
Personally ] spared no pains. / was not by
nature business man, preferring the profes-
sions to manufactures. but circumstances hav-
ing led me to embark in business | determined
to mako the best Of il at ali events.
Naturally / was dissatisfied with the recent
course OF things and cast my eyes around in
every direction for a fresh field of activity.
AT the same time it behoOved me to be careful ;
more than one firm had recently come to grief
driven into dangerous speculations by the ne
cessity OF doing something.
/ was ia the refreshment room at Euston one
day taking a hasty lunch on my return from
Journey to Birmingham, when / was con-
ScfGuS cl some one lOokil9 dt me.
/ turned round and faced man who seemed
familiar to me- a moments reflection and
recognized hinl-Macfariane.
He hesitated moment and then lifted his
hat 10 me. Almost unconsciously | gave him
sign of recognition. He at once came for
ward.
How do YOU, sir?" he asked al was
afraid YOU woald not care to recognize me-"
"I am scarcely sure | do" was my reply. /
wanted 10 let him see that / was not anxious
to renew our acquaintance. At the same
time the meeting had taken me so by surprise
that / had not made up my mind to cut him
dead.
you've every excuse for not recognizing
me-" he said. My face is little altered,
isn't ftp"
1t certainly was. He wore beard and mus
tache instead of being clean shaved His hair
was differently arranged, his whole dress and
appearance were quieter aud more gentlemanly
than formerly. He had immensely improved
in every respect.
ued.
."Yes, I suppose it is" replied, wishing he
had avoided the topic, for l felt very uncom-
Portable
"It is nearly four years" he said. "Four
years make good deal of difference to man,
especially when two of them have been spent
in prison."
What could I say? It would have been in
snlting, even cruel, to say that | was sorry.
."You don't mind talking to a jailbird, i
hope?" he said with a smile. "You need not
be afraid of my being recognized: no one but
you has recognized me, yet | don't think you
would have done so if hadn't fixed my eyes
on you"
81 should have thought that it would have
been you who would have been the first 10 OBJ
ject to our meeting" / said. "The sight of me
can't be very pleasant to you, I'm afraid"
He almost laughed
You're mistaken, I'm glad to say," he re-
piled. Ny one hope lately has been to meet
you. We can't talk quietly here" he added;
"there is such crew Could you spare me
half an hour? l think l can promise you you
won't regret it."
wanted to get back to my work, but Mac
farlane interested me. l had been severe per-
haps with him in old days / might at all
events grant him the small favor of an inter
view now.
We took a cab to his hotel-a quiet one in
street Off the Strand. He had private room,
and ordered up some coffee Evidently he was
in different circumstances than when junior
clerk and traveller In our firm
Try one of these" he said.
He produced some cigars. j took one il
was in the green condition that Americans love.
Not dry enough for your he asked.
"It viii suit me admirably" | replied.
Didn't yon get these in American"
Yes; only crossed week ago. I've been
there for the last two years or so-eyer since
yeu know what"
Il am glad to see that you have not been SO
utterly rnined as you anticipated / said con-
scious that the remark was in bad taste. But
was in a false position, and everything said
must be either stupid or awkward.
do you remember" he asked, "the day
when you had me up in your room?"
1 remembered it as well as he probably.
DO you remember what / said when you
wouldn't let me oif?"
nodded. Was he going to spring some mine
On me? Was all this a preparation for deadly
revenge? Impossible; he was as harmless
looking companion as one could wish for.
said that I'd be reyenged on you If had
to wait years. Well, I have waited years, and
here is my revenge. I'm treating you t coffee
and cigars, and talking away TO you just as if
i were the senior partner, and You clerk.
That's q better revenge than trying to put
bullet into you and then getting hanged for it,
isn't 1t Upon my word though. sir, when |
made that threat | meant doing you mischief,
ii eyer4 got the chance"
6 a,n very glad you have thought better of
it" ] remarked, truthfully enough
So'sm ], - he said. So far from wanting
to serve you ont Tor the part you took in that
wretched business, / am thankful to the last
degree for what you did. i was on the way to
ruin when you stopped me you cut me adrift
IIom my oid temptations ana companions, and
when l left prison / was free in more senses
than one. / went TO America, and there got
on. 4ou know / have a certain sort of talent
even you must acknowledge that?"
Il know you were the best man in the
place" l said, '' and we were sorry to lose your
services"
" think 1t was fortunate FOR you that you
did he said with laugh, " or in few years
/ should have appropriated good proportion
Of your profits. / saw where the chances lay.
However, I've lately been turning my energies
intoa more legitimate channel and find it pays
better as well as being more comfortable to
my conscience. I've no longer a constant
dread OF policeman, and can look every man
in the face"
We continued talking some time longer: he
was an amusing companion, and regaled me
with the most entertaining stories OF his life
in America. AT last nay business compelled
me TO leave him. SO l rose and excused my un-
willing departure.
He held out his hand as / went and shook
ii. did so with considerable satisfaction /
felt an immense relief in finding that the man
whom / feared / had irreparably injured had
become . changed character, and had actually
pTofted through the very experience that
might have been expected 10 ruin him.
' I'm glad you'll shake hands with me-" he
said warmly; :" it shows that you, at all events,
no longer despise me-"
, Every one must respect a man who has
done as you have" said.
Tn afraid not-at all events, don't mean
IN, risk II IL vo Sf4ouII Ia IL