The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-06-02

! L talked Win them, rode With them,
sang and played with them, and had
the vanity to believe that I had
become the favorite OF both, and
that | was equally preferred by the
stately, dark-eyed Norah and the
sweet-voiced, blue-eyed Mary.
But then was figuring as q million
aire. Was l loosing sight all this time
of the business which had called me to
the town? did not think so myself,
though it might have had that
| appearance to another.
One day, when riding out with the
two ladies, we passed fine mansion
half mile from the town, the owner
of which I shall call Mr.. berwick.
The Kerwicks, besides being the old
est family in the locality, were also
known to be very wealthy.
They had been the victims of the
robbers about a year previous, and
had lost in money, plate, and Jewels
to the amount OF close upon seven
hundred pounds.
Experience with some people goes
for nothing" I remarked, looking
towards the house, which stood in the
centre OF grounds OF considerable ex-
tent, and was surrounded by lofty
trees; "the more they learn the less
they seem to know; and / sometimes
wonder how they manage to keep out
of the fire."
"What is the matter now, Mr..
Cynic?'' inquired Moran, with a
laugh. +.
"Why, I was just thinking of this
stupid berwick -. -
"What OF him?"
"In my estimation, he lacks good
sense. 1T.
GHOST people do, in your estima-
tion," Joined in Mary. "You seldom
have an approving word for any
body"
"Then you ladies should appreciate
what [ say of you all the more"
"What we hear, we do,' said Nor
alb; "but We tremble to think what
may be said by so sarcastic Judge
when we are absent"
''Oh, if | only dared to speak as
rapturously in your preseuceP --rst's
Faint heart never won fairl ady,"
quoted Norah. A
II shall remember that axiom" re-
turned I. ~
"And in the meantime pray don't
forget your stupid Mr.. berwick" said
Mary with a slight pout, as if from
touch of jealousy. +.
"Ah! Mr.. Kerwick-true. Well, now
see if you do not agree with me as
state the case. About a year ago he
was robbed, as you probably have
heard, and lost property to the
amount OF seven hundred pounds, as
ne himself told me. Now, what do
you think? With that experience so
fresh IN his memory, you would hard
~ suppose he would want to tempt
fate again. But he does, or will. in
spite OF my advise to the contrary.
| This morning he received two
thousand pounds from his son, an
extensive pork curer in Chicago, to
be invested in good securities. He in
tended going to Belfast to-day to con-
suit g. stockbroker, but something
came in The way. Having called to
see me on some business, he incident
ally mentioned these facts.
| "But this large sum OF money you
have, CT course, deposited in the bank
IN the meantime?" said I.
"No he answered; Il merely locked
1T up in my desk. It will be quite
safe there
"'Not if your servants know about
1t, or some one breaks in, as happen
ed to you before, I replied.
| :" My servants know nothing about
it,, he returned, and as for burg ars-
we'll, lightning never strikes twice in
the same place you know
| "Now," [ observed to the ladies, II
should feel ashamed OF risking so much
In so reckless a manner"
AS concluded, the two charming
girls exchanged glances; and then No
rah said, with q half-concealed
| yawn:-
"f people will be so stupid thew
ought to lose their money; but in this
case, if Mr.. berwick has not mention.
cd the matter to anybody except you,
OF course his money is just as safe in
MS desk as it would be in the bank"
"Ah, il! Well, if careless in one thing
ne may be careless in ALL He may
have told q dozen Others for what
know. However, it is no affair OF
mine. and | really beg pardon for men
Clonlng SO uncongenlal a matter in so
charming presence"
On reaching the home of my fair
companions, shortly after dinner,
they did not press me to remain and
take "pot luck with them, as they
usually did; but Norah had head.
ache and Mary was tdreadfully
tired 50 we exchanged good wishes
and sweet good-byes, and rode back
to the hotel.
Curiously enough, Mr.. berwick was
there. waiting to see me, and l at
once took him into my private room
and closed the door.
"Well?" he said.
81 have set the trap and baited it, Z
was my answer; land if we don,
, catch one or two foxes before morn
ing shall be surprised"
"Good," he commented
. ''Is everything complete on you
part?" asked.
Everything"