, 1891-09-06
ABSOLUTELY PURE

You have told me an interestinL
story" remarked the count, and be.
cause 1 appreciate it 1 will buy some OF
the young lady's pictures myself. You
shall give me the name of the shop
where they are to be sold. She shall
also paint a picture to order for my
house"
That's right good of you," said Tom
heartily. She's a nice girl, but de-
serves'a bit urn of the wheel. But 1 beg
your pardon for getting off the track of
the house; you happened to touch me on
a spot right over my heart. What rent
would you like to pay?"
Il want to buy the house."
"To buy It'll That'n cost you some
thing. You might get it at a reasonable
rent, as the house is under a cloud Just
now, as l was telling you; but when it
comes to buying, it's another thing.
Property up there is rising, and 1 doubt
you would buy the house for less than it
cost to build it-and that's not far off
half a million"
"Who owns the house," asked the
count.
eth be his widow. l think-Sally
Matchin that was"
Il wish to say no more than is neces-
sary; but l must have the house for my
own in any case. 1t is probable / may
desire to make alterations in it. And If
property becomes more valuable her /
could sell it afterward perhaps"
Eyes; that's true. You'll pay half a
million, then, if it's not going for less?7
you will have the power of attorney;
you can draw for whatever is needed"
said the count, buttoning up his coat.
"If you please, let it be done by tomor-
row.. The season is now near, and /
wish to be at home this winter"
VERY well. Here is the receipt for
the ten thousand dollars. I'll say moth
ing about thanks, but I'll do my best to
keep my end up. The power of attorney
will be at your hotel for your signature
this afternoon. I'll step over to Carriage
Brownies Office and see about the house
before lunch, and here's the address of
the dealer where the pictures are for
sale. It's not far from your hotel"
What is your own private address,
Mr.. BannickT' inquired the count.
at won't be long in the place where it
is now" returned the Irishman, his eyes
~twinkling, and indicating by a nod of
the mead the little pile of banknotes that
lay on the desk. 81 shall move this
week, and give my wife and our friends
the Ravens some elbow room of their
own. But we shall be happy to see you,
sir, wherever we are, and whenever it
suits you. I'm in East Thirteenth street
just at present"
The count rose slowly. ~ thank you;
| will not incommode you until you are
settled" said he. at came to me- he
added, with some hesitation, ''that if |
find the pictures of this young lady to
nave merit, and l therefore decide to
give her an order for one, it would be
necessary for me to have "A personal in
venient to herr"
Indeed, then, | think it would" ex-
claimed Tom with Il chuckle. "And
you'll find her acquaintance as well
worth making as any girls in New
York"
The count bowed. And if" he add
ed, "'you should find any obstacles in
the way of obtaining possession of the
house-any, l e not with reference
to the price-it would give me pleasure
to wait upon Madame Trent. She and /
could, perhaps, colne more quickly to an
understanding than through the medium
Of an agent"
Its quite on the cards she may find q
reason for seeing you," Tom returned,
rubbing his chin; ''but as for the money,
l fancy she'll take it, so there's enough
of it. However, you'll get a full report
this evening"
"Then l will detain you no longer"
remarked the count, stepping toward the
door.
Before you put on your gloves I'd
wish to shake hands with you, Count de
Lisle," said Tom, advancing with his
hand outstretched. ''There's -four of us
at least that you've made happy today,
and if that's your custom all / have to
say is New York will be sad to part with
you'll"
De Lisle took the Irishman's hand and
gave it a powerful grasp.
II have had enemies" said he. 81 have
felt the hostility of the world. Now that
l have power, it is my wish to make
friends. Not to buy them, Mr.. Bannick;
l know how to exact the value of my
wealth, when that is my cue But
should be glad for a few people to feel
that there is something in me to like and
respect besides my money. 1t is a great
deal for a rich man to hope that he may
be thought of as anything except a rich
man; it is a penalty of great riches. But
have ventured to hope it this morning
land by George, You were rightr' re
piled Tom, with tears in his eyes
There's stuff in you better than eyel
came out of a gold mine. So good lucl
to your
ITO you also" returned the count; ani
then the door closed, and he was gone.
The rest of that day passed very pleaS
antly to Tom Bannick. He deposited
his ten thousand dollars in the bank
and her drew out one thousand dollar,
in the form of twenty dollar bills. One
of these he presented to his office boy
surprising the latter out of cynicism OF
the spot. The remaining fo~rty-nine he de
posted in the hip pockets of his trousers
He would have preferred the jingle o
gold in California fashion; it seemed 81
much more like real wealth, he said, bu.
the bills were new and he took a subtl,
delight in crumpling them out of thei
crispness.
After attending to the counts bust
ness he walked to his %tailor's and WA
measured for n couple of the best suit
to be had. On his way uptown HI
stopped in at various emporiums o
fashion and bought such things as q
lady's sealskin coat, full length; a coupl,
of dozen pairs of the finest silk stockings
half a dozen changes of ladies' cambri,
and silk underwear; handkerchiefs
gloves and scarfs in quantities to suit
and of quality extra snnerfne. and h