The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-09

MY Soul, HOW very CdIelcSS! uue1 HdfO
left them on the desk. | had them in
my hand a moment before leaving the
office
I think [ liked Mr.. Sugg at that mo-
ment better than | had ever done. Of
course my moral sense was deeply shocked
by the falsehood he had just uttered, but
his stimulation of astonishment was SO nat
ural as to extort my admiration. | felt
that such excellent fooling deserved encour-
agement, and smiled back reassuringly.
1.-THE best of us will make slip, l
said graciously. II had almost forgotten
what amount | hold, and was, moreover,
anxious to consult you on the subject of
realizing on them.
oMy dear Sir" he rejoined, with the
special emphasis on the word "dear" af-
fected by lawyers on such occasions shave
you seriously considered the step you pro-
pose taking? Part with an investment
that's yielding you thirteen per cent, and
whose value increases every day.
DYES returned, Kit does seem foolish !;
I suppose there's not another man in Lon
don would do such thing.
Mr.. Sugg let the smoke curl slowly
from between his lips, and, relapsing into
professional smile, shook his head: "Pos-
itively, don't think there is another who
would act as you suggest.
For the moment | was almost deceived
by his seeming sincerity If Mr.. Sugg
had been dealing with harmless but stub
born lunatic he could not have assumed a
more pitiful air. Even with the knowledge
[ possessed, the feeling that in opposing
this worthy gentleman | was showing a
most unreasonable spirit was uppermost in
my mind
aWell," l answered, II dare say you're
right; still, the money is of Importance to
me just at present"
Mr. Sugg leaned back in his chair with
panied expression. "My dear Sir" he
repeated, anay, if you will pardon the lib
erty, my dear friend, pray do. not allude
to such a thing; if it be only question of
money, l shall be happy to send you a
check for whatever you require tomorrow
morning.
The generosity of his proposal, l admit,
touched me; nor was it until had reflected
that in so doing he would merely be pay
ing me out of my own capital and doubt
less charging for the operation that l sue
ceeded in sitting my sense of gratitude
mo" l replied, 'you must allow me to
decline the offer; l would not be indebted
even to you. But to avoid the chance of
sacrifice I think it will be prudent in
giving the broker instructions to place a
| limit upon the shares Now, what would
you say they were worth?"
The business instincts of the man were
at once aroused "Let me see, he said,
refectively, pressing the points of his fin
gers together; "the last were done, think,
at twentyeight."
| smiled blandly. aThen there have
been some as foolish as myself" | remark
ed
''No, no." he quickly answered, forget
ting poIiteness in his anxiety to clear him
self, "you misunderstood me; it must be
considered that they bought in at a higher
price and so reap less benefit than your
self
The irrelevancy of the explanation was
apparent; besides, [ was growing weary OF
playing my fish, and fastened to bring mat.
ters to climax. aCome, Mr.. Sugg,"
said, "you seem to have some motive fol
wishing me to retain these shares. What
is it?"
Again the hand sought his spectacles
"Merely in your own interests, my deal
Sir. !" he replied at last, in tone of assumed
indifference, 'purely in your own interests
II imagine [ am the best judge of what
these are" 1 rejoined more sternly, "and
begin to suspect they might be in better
keeping than Mr.. Suggs hands.
"What do you mean?" he asked in
sharp manner.
"What have said" l returned. care
the words not plain? I have it in my
power to make them clearer, if you wish.
He laughed uneasily. "Thank you, he
said, "there is no need but as to the
shares, when do you require them ?"
"The first thing tomorrow morning.
~ fear 1 can't oblige you" he returned
II fancy they are deposited with my bank
er, and there may be slight delay in OBJ
tanning them; but you shall certainly have
them on the following day"
If Mr.. Sugg's want of sincerity hac
panied me before, this new proof of i
shocked me still more inexpressibly that
so shrewd a man, having once told lie
should relapse into such glaring inconsls
tency gave me poor opinion OF his menta
powers. The grief experienced probably
betrayed itself in my voice as l replied
at may be my mistake, but l under
stood that you left them on your desk.
| regret to record that Mr., Sugg's an
swer was couched in language which
shrink from reproducing here. L sat calmly
waiting till the storm should subside
When at length he found that his words
had no effect upon me he asked:
"What do you want with me? | pre-
sumo you didn't bring me here for you
pleasure ?"
ssNo,' I said, with faint smile, "tha
was certainly not my object. 1 wish t.
inform you that l am about to transfer my
affairs to another solicitor, and shall there
fore require from you full and immediate
statement as to how we stand.
He started to his feet, throwing what
remained of his cigar into the fire. "Yo1
have some reason for this step?
"A good one," answered in placi'
voice.
"What is it?" he returned.
"Simply that l find my present agen
has been disposing of my property withou
authority
Mr.. Sugg began to walk about the room
excitedly. Suddenly he stopped, and, plac
ING his hands on the table at which l sat
looked across at me. "Mr. Clife, he said
''you do not know what dangerous gam
you are playing. am desperate man.
eyes | said in an encouraging way, a
if so interesting statement deserved elab
grafton.
"You know that | have parted with thes
shares but there is much Of which yot
are still ignorant. IF you insist on doinl
as you propose you will be my destruction.
aTit for tat, Irejoined playfully. "Yo
forget that you have just been trying you
utmost to ruin me.
'tGiye me little time, he pleaded, San
| swear you shall not lose penny"
"Come, come" 1 answered, "as lawye
you must know that an accessory after tn