San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-15
A Romantic Young Lady
BY GEORGE GRANT.

Eyes. But do you not think it is
cruel to turn the cold shoulder on man
merely because he dresses wellY'
Undoubtedly. But they have them
selves to blame for it. The world has
not yet got accustomed to the idea that
man with fawless coat on his back
means to do anything. Not so very
long ago such thing was unknown.
am willing to admit that when the gen.
tlemen consent TO work they make the
best workers: but the burden of evil
dence, as we lawyers say, is on them"
The world refuses to believe because
it is envious. There isn't one of the
business men who decline to give Mr..
Prime a chance who wouldn't give half
his fortune to be like him if he could"
You are a philosopher as well as
philanthropist, young lady, see. You
may not be far wrong But if Mr..
Prime knew what champion he has
he would cease to despair. You asked,
think, if | believed his story. 1t is
quite evident what your opinion u.s."
said Mr.. Chelm, with laugh.
Very well. then, do believe it and
want to help him"
Romance against the lawyers. Ha!
hat
81 am very determined young per-
son when | make up my mind. You
cannot laugh me out of it, Mr.. Chelm."
"Heaven forbid! But what do you
propose to dor"
Give him chance"
The lawyer rubbed his chin reflect
lively. II am perfectly willing to resign
in his favor, but otherwise | know of no
vacancy eitherin your or my gift to fill,
he said, with smile.
Il cannot spare you yet. have an
other plan"
"And that
"a very romantic one, as you have
predicted. | propose to set him up in
business"
las gentleman"
He is that already. No, as banker
"lndeed!"
What do you think of my ideag'
II have heard only the beginning of
it. 1t is natural enough to feel the in
clination to set handsome young man
up as banker; but fail to comprehend
yet the details of the scheme"
81 shall leave them to you"
ITO me? But | regret to say, Miss
Harlan, that | know of no banking
house at present that would employ the
services of this embryo merchant prince"
"Oh. but you don't or you won't I'M
derstand me- What | propose is to
found banking house and to furnish
the capital myself"
What" Mr.. Chelm leaned back in
his chair and laughed heartily. This
is romance with vengeance. Would
were twenty-five, and in search of occu-
patton! And what, pray, is to be the
name of the new concern? Harlan and
Prime? or Virginia Harlan and Com
pany? | am confident it will be part
nership for life"
Francis Prime and Company, of
course. 1 will not submit to be laughed
at, Mr.. Chelm. This is serious bust
ness matter.
"Oh, most certainly! Thoroughly
businesslike in every sense! My dear
young lady, if you expect me to preserve
my legal. gravity you must not be so
humorous; it is beyond the self control
of even a fusty conveyancer. And what
part in this financial idyl am l expected
to play?'
You are to arrange it all. am to
furnish the money and remain strictly
incognito. That is the first and essential
condition impose"
What! Mr.. Prime is not to know the
name of bis benefactress?'
ION no account whatever!'
"He will be sure to search the earth
until he finds her"
Not if he be made to believe she is
ancient and homely. Besides, how is he
to know it is a woman
Forgive me, Miss Harlan, but no one
except a woman could invent such a
project. 1t fairly takes my breath away.
How much of your capital do You pro-
pose to embark in the enterprise-the
whole four millions"
mo, Mr. Chelm, am not utterly If
rational yet. That is one of the points
mean to leave to your discretion. |
merely insist that he shall not be
scrimped do not think, however, that
| care to advance over two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars"
1.-TWO hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars, And still you talk of discretion!"
SIS not that enough
Enough! Why, certainly not. If
you are bent upon the plan at least put
it through handsomely, Miss Harlan.
Let them have cool million at once,
and be done with it.
Il know, of course, that this must
seem very quixotic to you as business