Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-11-30

man; but Heaven hein the woman if they
get hold Of herl She led him Off, they
say. All, if they only knew how willing
he was to be led!"
Johns reveries were brought to an
end by the entrance of Col. Mortimer,
who came in with some certificates OF
stock for him to sign as secretary of the
company. He had just got hold of a
guileless merchant from distant New
England town, and was going to give
him ten beautifully engraved certificates
of stock in the Mutual Divident Mining
company for ten one-thousand-dollar
bills. John felt sl'-ht twinge of con-
science as he signed 2 certificates; but
a man must have me Y to live!
"You will get tive per cent on this
investment in six ID rs, Mr.. Gorham,
and twenty in six M ths more" John
could hear Col. Mortimer tell his victim
as he bowed him to the front door.
Forty per cent. Is better than letting
your money lie idle. You nay consider
yourself fortunate in having got any of
this stock. l don't like to sea it going
out of my own hands; but havs very
friendly feeling towards you, aad am
glad, after all, that you have those GER
tificates." 'And l these greenba1ks,'
he might have added, as the door swung
to on its well oiled hinges.
Col Mortimer returned to his desk,
and, taking nine of the bills, rolled them
up and placed them side by side in his
capacious wallet. The tenth he took in
and handed TO John.
There, you lucky dog, that is your
share of the days receipts. l take as
much myself; the rest goes for office ex-
penses." John was fool enough to believe
him; for, with all his worldly minded
Less, he was very credulous. He thanked
Mortimer, folded the bill neatly and put
it in his waistcoat pocket There it be-
gan burning hole at once.
"How long before you're going up
town, colonelY' he asked.
mot for some time yet. have some
matters of importance to look over be-
fore 60"
"Then l won't wait for you have
an errand or two on my way up. I'll
Closing his desk and throwing a light
spring topcoat over his arm, he put his
hat rakishly on his head and stepped
lightly out of the Office and down the
stairs into the street. There he hailed a
passing cab and springing in gave the
order "To Tiffany's," and settled himself
back on the seat to think what he should
buy. He would get something for Leoni
for loves sake and something for Amy
for the sake of pity. Poor Amy! He
would get her something very nice. The
cab drew up at the famous jewelers. and
John entered the place with the air OF a
bank president. He went direct to ths
diamond counter and asked the cbl:ging
salesman to let him see some solitaire
rings After looking over dozens Of
them. of all sizes and all prices, he se-
lected small white stone for which he
paid three hundred dollars, throwing his
thousand dollar bill carelessly on the
counter. This was for Leoni; but abe
must not tell who gave it to her yet
awhile. How they would enjoy the Sc
cret together!
"Can show you anything else?" asked
the salesman.
"Yes, if you will be so kind. want
to send present to lady in the country
some little trihe. don't know ladies'
tastes very well. What would you sug-
gest?"
Really, sir, can hardly say; you have
shown such excellent taste in the selec-
ton of that ring that think the lady
will fare very well at your hands. But,
as you ask me, what do you say to fan?
"a handsome hand painted fan? We
have some beauties selling at a great
sacrifice"
"Capitaly' said John. "The summer
is coming on, and a lady is never without
FAM"
So they walked over to the fan counter
and John bought pearl handled, feather
trimmed, hand painted absurdity for
5000 lit was one Of the great sacrifices
and sent it off with the most affectionate
little note to Amy.
1t was her wedding present, every one
in Farmsted said; for they knew that a
wedding day had been named, and John
certainly could not send her anything
handsomer. Amy knew better; but she
was delighted with the gift, and, kissing
The feather tips, she put it back in its
satin box and laid it away in her bureau
drawer with the tortoise shell boxes and
other expensive knickknacks that John
had sent her.
After John had sent the fan to Amy,
he sat down at his writing desk and
wrote most impassioned letter to Le-
oni. telling her how he loved her, and
that he sent the ring in proof Of his in
tentions; but, my darling" he wrote,
"wear this where it won't be seen for
the present. Cruel circumstances pre-
vent my coming out boldly and claiming
you as my love before all the world; but
have faith in me, darling, as ! have in
you. Don't even tell your good father
and mother too much; though you may
assure them of my honorable intentions.
Oh. Leoni, you do not know what it is to