San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-15
A0 Absorbing Sto1q
Of
American Life and Love,


hair, of light brown hue, inclining to
reddish, was cut rather short, and stood
upright over his head without any part
ing, in the French manner. His beard,
also cropped short and pointed at the
chin, was of the same hue; but his eye
brows and eyelashes, and his eyes them
selves were somewhat darker, giving a
peculiar character to his countenance,
scarcely modified by the gold trimmed
eyeglasses that sat astride his handsome
nose A black double breasted coat was
buttoned round his figure, and his erect
and slightly formal carriage bespoke
military training. His clothes were per-
fectly cut, with just a suspicion of dandy
ism in the fashion of the collar and the
design of the scarfpin. But dandyism
in foreigner is simply foreign" and
bears no stigma. 1t was evident at q
glance that Baron Lucien de Lisle was q
gentleman in the most exacting sense Of
the word.
Good morning, sir" said Tom, glanc-
ing from the card in his hand to the visi-
tor before him. "Have chair. Can !
do anything for your
81 desire it," returned the count. His
voice was quiet and grave and marked
by Gallo accent, perceptible at first,
but to which one soon became accus-
toned. He spoke English, as Tom soon
noted, quite dramatically, though with
a more careful precision than a native
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 elab-
orately stitched on the backs.
81 am in New York to stay some
time" he continued, land I wish a
house. The hotel, you comprehend, is
excellent, but not-not-not"- He
made gesture with his right hand, on
the finger of which was a large and
beautiful ring.
"Not enough elbow room," Tom sug-
gested. mo, suppose not. But, by
the way, I'm not real estate agent, I'm
lawyer"
II comprehend. But I am stranger
here; find the customs unfamiliar. l
thought, if get some one to act for me,
it is more expedient and quicker. Ipay
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. SPY Georger'
thought he to himself, IF this fellows
as rich as they say, may make money
out of him. Wonder how five thousand
a 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. well, suppose some
such arrangement could be made. But
there'd be great deal of work connected
with it, and prices are high in New
York, you know" He looked up at his
visitor with smile.
81 shall hope there will be no dis
agreement about that" said the count,
with slight inclination of the head. 81
shall submit to your demands; but had
intended offering you ten thousand dol
lars"-
Ten thousand year, exclaimed
Tom, surprised into a jubilant tone. In
a moment his warm Irish imagination
had built a hundred castles in the air.
Pardon me; 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 a month, paid
monthly in advance, will secure your
services the arrangement will crafty
me-"
Tom turned his chair round so as to
face his interlocutor squarely, and looked
at him several moments in silence. ''Do
you seriously propose, Count de Lisle,"
he said at length, ''to offer to pay me
salary at the rate of one hundred and
twenty thousand dollars year,"
The count inclined his head without
speaking.
well" said Tom, "rm afraid I shall
have to decline it."
Il should be sorry for that. May l
ask why?'
"Ill tell you just what's in my mind.
Such sum is unheard of. In my pro-
fession I've made it a rule never to do
anything that would make me feel I'M
comfortable-ashamed to look myself in
the face. You can get any legitimate
business done for ten thousand year; at
any rate, I'd do anything that didn't
hurt my conscience for that, or half of
it. 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 it2''
The count listened to this speech very
attentively and it evidently pleased him.