Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-06-07

accustomed He spoke English, as Tom
soon noted, quiet Automatically, though
with more careful precision than ma
tive would use. He sat down, put his
hat and gold headed cane on the book
shelf and began TO take off his gloves,
which were of the two button variety,
and deliberately stitched on the back.
Il am in New York to stay some
time" he continued, ''and | wish 4
house. The hotel, you comprehend, is
excellent, but Northumberland" lie
made a gesture with his right hand, on
the finger of which was large and
beautiful ring.
Not enough elbow room," Tom sus-
geSted. mo, l suppose not. But, by
the way, I'm not real estate agent, I'm
a lawyer"
Il comprehend. But am stranger
here: | find the customs unfamiliar. l
thought, if get some one to act for me,
it is more expedient and quicker. Ip&y
each month so much, all is done and |
make no mistake. Am | clear?"
~ understand what you mean" said
Tom. endeavOring to disguise his excite
ment by rubbing his chin and looking
out of the window. "By Gcorge"
thought he to himself, IF this fellows
as rich as they say, may make money
out of him. Wonder how five thousand
year would strike him? Courage, my
boy! Now or never. You would like
me to take entire charge of your bust
ness affairs while you are here" he con-
tinued aloud. We'll, | suppose some
/ no
there'd be a great deal of work connect
ed with it, and prices are high In New
York, you know" He looked up at his
visitor with smile.
Il shall hope there will be no disa-
greement about that said the count,
with slight inclination of his head. 81
shall submit to your demands; but | had
intended offering you ten thousand dol
lars
Ten thousand year!" exclaimed
Tom, surprised into jubilant tone. In
moment his warm Irish imagination
had built a hundred castles in the air.
pardon me; l would not expect you
to accept that" said the count gravely.
II had hoped to induce you to give your
time almost wholly to my affairs, and if
ten thousand dollars month, paid
monthly in advance, will secure your
services, the arrangement will gratity
me-"
Tom turned his chair round so as TO
face his interlocutor squarely, and look
ed at him several moments in silence.
"Do you seriously propose, Count de
Lisle," he said at length, ''to offer to
paw me salary at the rate of one hun
dred and twenty thousand dollars a
year?"
The count inclined his head without
speaking.
"Weli," said Tom, I'm afraid shall
have to decline it,"
Il should be sorry for that. May
ask why?"
"Tll tell you just what's in my mind.
Such a sum is unheard of. In my pro-
fession I've made it rule never to do
ANYTHING that would make me feel un-
mfortable-ashamed to look myself in
the face. You can get any Legitimate
business done for ten thousand a year;
at any rate, I'd do anything that didn't
hurt my conscience for that, or half of
| il. But ten thousand a month means
that YOU are after something that is not
legitimate, and | must tell you that
you've come to the wrong place for it?'
The count listened to this speech
very attentively and it evidently pleased
him.
Il see have not been misinformed
about YOU" he said, Il am glad you
have so frankly spoken. When you
know me better you will withdraw your
reflection on my motives. | intend no
crime: nothing that your conscience or
YOUR wife would not approve. Mr.. Ban
nick. ! wish you to remain entirely in
Idependent. You will be at liberty TO
terminate our agreement without warn
| inc. ut the moment when | suggest any
thing that you may diSapp!ove. But
Won must meanwhile let me be the Judge
OF the value of your service. An hon
est man is not easy to find, even in New
York: and he is therefore valuable.
You will have the management of large
| interests and the offer | make you Is not
more than a fair commission"
Il can't believe it, calculated Tom.
Il mean-I beg your pardon--it seems
rs if there mus, be something behind.
| NAV be a fool, no dOubt-in fact
that's a matter of course. always have
been"
Come. Mr.. Bannick, let us not waste
time" said the count, unbuttoning his
coat and taking out his pocketbook.
This is the twenty-ffth day of October.
By the twenty-fifth of November you
will know me well enough TO know
whether you desire our relations to con-
tinue or not. Meanwhile | give you
YOUR salary for that first month. Next
month, il you be not content, we part.
Is that right?'
81 have been poor nan most OF my
life" said Tom, clearing his throat and
looking steadfastly at the other. "lt's
no use binding the fact that you are
making me a wonderful proposition. It's
not ordinary business, and | can't ac-
count for it. If I had saved your life
| and YOU wanted to reward me for II you
couldn't do more. Such an amount of
money isn't salary, it's fortune.
can't earn it; it would be gift, not a
payment. But if you are buying only
my services, and not my soul, I'll ac-
cept it. I'll make my services as valu-
able as | can"
IF you have not saved my life, per-
haps you may some time have done for
some ono a good act for which you were
never recompensed,' remarked the
count gently. And | perhaps take
this means of discharging an obligation
conferred upon some one whom | was
unable to reward at the time. We
mnst make use of each other in this
way. If besides your services | gain
YOUR friendship l shall be still your
debtor"
The somewhat formal manner Of this
speech did not detract from its evident
sincerity. The count took ten one
thousand-dollar bank notes from his
pocketbook and laid them on the desk,
| ------i.-- IL nnchnd u nLncL NJ the