Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-30

4
mezzo-humorous light there cropped out
from time to time evidences OF his ear
nestness and enthusiasm, which as our
| friendship strengthened were less and
less subordinated to raillery and chsff.
Not whit inferior in cultivation to my
self, he possessed besides keen analytic
sense which envied, especially as felt
that IL did not steel him against idecl
considerations.
Meanwhile nv usefulness at the Office
was constantly increasing, for my en-
ployer now made me devote myself 10
various sorts OF financial matters. and l
could see plainly that he was puzzled at
my aptness. He expressed the belief that
/ must have had experience elsewhere,
for acted, he said, as IL had been &C
customed to handle large sums all my
life. He offered presently TO raise my
salary, but / declared that what | re-
ceived was sufficient for my needs. Much
Of the time could see that Mr.. Prime
was worried, for business, though active.
was In an unsettled state, and l knew
from the books that already his capital
was somewhat impaired. AS have men,
toned, he was studiously devoted 10 his
work, and the only recreation he allowed
himself was his daily walk with me. l
often heard Mr.. Slayback, our book
keeper, into whose good graces l man.
aged to ingratiate myself at the end OF
fortnight, sigh over the unremitting
Industry of our EMPLOYER, and declare
that he would break down In health be-
fore a twelvemonth was passed.
''He will succeed first, and then he
can afford to be an invalid" / answered,
but acting OH the old mans solicitude,
l did all could 10 tighten the load.
One afternoon as we were walking
home | noticed that Mr.. Prime seemed
especially grave and moody, and vent
ured to inquire II anything serious had
happened.
"Oh, no; a mere trlfling loss that is
unimportant in itself; but serves TO I'M
press upon me still more deeply how
easy il IS to imagine and difficult TO per-
FORM" he answered. ut seems the sim
plest thing in the world to make for
tune honestly, until one attempts It,"
"But why are you so anxieus TO make
a fortune?" asked after silence.
Anxious TO make afortune? Because
IL Is my ambition; because have al
ways had the desire to try and spend a
fortune well. Money is the greatest
power in the world, and every man who
is strong and vital seeks 10 acquire it.
Why did you askP"
II have sometimes thought that a
large fortune would be an unwelcome
responsibility" / said, noticing how
much his words resembled what my
father had said to me. 1T would be
so puzzllng, / should think, TO spend II
wisely"
"And for that reason would you have
men afraid to try? How else is the
world to progress? Those who have
leisure to think are those 10 set man
kind an example," he replied, with a
fierceness that made his face glow.
NV own heart welled up TO my lips at
nv companions fervor. He, however,
ashamed as IL were at the extravaganza
into which he had been betrayed, turned
the conversation with some careless jest.
and for the rest OF the afternoon talked
a badinage that did not deceive me.
cat least, let me say that | am very
sorry you are worried" | added.
In the indulgence OF his subsequent
gayety / noticed that Mr.. Prime seemed
to play the dandy more consummatcly
than usual, as though he were rejecting
that, come what might. he would 20
down as he had declared, with a smile
on his face and a 1awless coat on bis
back. had never known him TO be
more amusing and nonchalant than In
the half hour which followed his previ-
Gus outburst. When we reached a
flower stand at the corner OF the streets
whore our ways divided he asked me TO
wait minute, and selecting a bouton-
Mere and beautiful white rose he pre-
sented the latter to me.
"You have saved me from much wea-
riness during the past two months, Miss
Bailey." he said. This flower may
brighten the dinginess OF your lodg-
ings."
Alice Bailey was the name by which |
was known to Mr.. Prime. was free TO
take his words in any sense chose, and
believe that they had reference 10 my
work at the Office or 10 my companion
shin or TO both. In acknowledgment OF
his politeness dropped little curtsy
az I might have done TO any one OF my
real acaualntanccs on similar occasion;
and as did so noticed that he regard
ed me with a strange look OF admira-
ton.
"You did that" said be, ''as II you
had never done anything else; and yet
dare say you were never In a ballroom
In your life"
"Neyer," answered, with smile.
"Adaptiveness, that Is the word. Our
people are so adaptive. But there is
something about you which puzzles me
more every day, Miss Bailey. Excuse
nv OBTAINING you, but am In Bhilo-
sophical vein for the moment and need
an audience. | would walk home with
you, but you have always forbidden me
that pleasure. Frankly, you have puz-
zled me, and that curtsy caps the
climax. There are certain things adap-
tlveness cannot accomplish, and that Is
one OF them"
"Have you no faith In tho child OF
Nature?'' asked archly.
~ had nope In that sense a few mo-
ments ago, but all my theories are fall
ing TO the ground. Forbear, though,
Miss Bailey" he'said, with sudden air
OF sportive mystery; you cannot afford
TO ruin your chances OF success for the
sake OF merely ornamental gift. You
play the grand dame 50 well, that you
are sure TO reap the penalty OF II. For
bear, warn you. before IL is too late. !
know OF what speak. I have been a
gentleman for yeors, and am acqualnt-
ed with all the inns and outs OF the call
ing. It Is poor one; avoid II. But you
will pardon this somewhat lengthy
monologue. have kept you from your
supper. Good night. Come, Ike"
Ash tripped across the street, with all