Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-11-14

"Indeedl said DerWellt. he was
little surprised, but quite cool. Partly
by temperament. partly by cultivation
of habit, he had an imperturbable self
possession which seldom failed and often
served him in situations where other men
lost control of themselves and conse-
quently of events. "In that case" he
said, quietly, Il had better think no
more about it and take up something
else"
1T is the best thing of which know"
said Morell, land don't anticipate fail
ure in getting it, but it is the way of the
people to make such obstacles and de-
lays Fernandez says that the matter
will come right. but that we must have
patience and use little diplomacy. Con-
found them! should like to use some
thing much more forcible!'
Derwent did not reply Immediately.
He suspected that little diplomacy was
being used for his benefit, although
Morells irritation certainly seemed al
together genuine. But he did not com
NIT himself to any expression of such
suspicion Time would show. he thought,
how the matter stood. and meanwhile he
would bear himself cautiously. A burst
of music from the band near by filled
the air at this moment and made me-
lodious accompaniment to his thoughts.
Presently he said, with the same quiet
ness:
And for how long a time will this
patience and diplomacy be required?"
Morell shrugged his shoulders. who
can say?" he answered. There is no
good in trying to force things with these
people. They do not understand prompt
ness in business. and when you try to
press matters they take your haste for
anxiety, and either double their price or
hold back all the more. The diplomacy
required is policy Of apparent indiffer-
ence. Fernandez says that he will leave
them severely alone for a time, and he
believes that those who want to sell will
make the Others come to terms"
But anything go indefinite as that
does not suit me at all, said Derwent.
when came here on your representa-
ton | thought that you had property
which you could put into my hands at
once. If you have not, | must seek
what desire elsewhere.
my dear fellow, you are like all
Americans when they come into this
country; you expect to be able to do
business as it is done in the states. But
the first lesson to be learned is that this
is impossible. You must be patient if
you wish to accomplish anything"
Patience is virtue in which | have
never found myself defcient-when it
was required" said Derwent calmly;
"but there are times, as we all know,
when it ceases to be virtue. And one
of these times is surely when people
who own property do not want to sell it. 4"
But the fools do want to sell" re-
piled Morell. growing a little excited in
manner at is only their way Of secur-
ing, if possible, a higher price"
"Be kind enough, then, to let them
know. through your friend Senor Fer
nandez, that have no intention of pay
ing more than we have already agreed
upon for that mine. If find it all that
it has been represented, will give twen-
ty thousand dollars for it-not centavo
more"
at is really worth a great deal more,
you know" said Morell, in confidential
tone.
81 take it for granted that it is, and
hope to make much more out Of it," re-
turned the other coolly. "But that has
been their price, and it is the largest
amount that am able to give. If they
do not take it must, as have said, look
elsewhere for an investment. You can
surely make this plain enough for even a
Mexican to understand. And shall be
glad to know as soon as possible if it is
worth while for me to go and look at it
or not. That is ALL"
1t was now Morells turn to be silent,
and as he smoked he gave one or two
quick glances at the face beside him. 1t
was a face so pleasant that many people
were deceived altogether with regard to
the character of which it was an index.
Only those who knew Geoffrey Derwent
well were aware that under the sunny,
debonair charm of his manner and ap-
pearance there was very resolute nature.
Obstinate he was not-for obstinacy is
always allied with intellectual weakness;
but when he had once seen clearly and
resolved firmly he acted intlexibly. There
were certain lines about his straight nose
and well cut mouth which would have
made this evident at once to "A physiog-
nomist. and which struck Morell now as
he glanced at the profile presented to
him-a handsome profile that, with the
perpendicular brow and firmly rounded
chin. would not have looked amiss on a
bronze medal 1t was only in profile
that this expression was caught. The
eyes dominate the face, and Derwents
gray eyes were full Of the frank and
pleasant good nature with which he re-
garded all the world unless specially
reused to other sentiments: while one
does not often see more attractive smile
than that wsAch now and then made his
white teeth gleam under the sweeping
brown mustache.
Having uttered his ultimatum, he said
nothing more. and indeed the scene be-
fore him was now striking enough to