The Press., 1893-07-06

'PreclSeiy.
 But that is monstrous."
 Il don't ask gentlemen to come to me. They come of their own free will. Those are my terms, and and they can take it or leave it.
 "Then I shall leave i The admiral rose angrily from hi elz5lf
 But one nlorfal Just sit down, and we shall c1ag fhe matter over. Yours is rather unusual case, and we may find some other way of doing what you wish. Of course the security which you offer is no security at all, and no sane man would advance 5000 pennies on it.
 "No security Why not, sir?'
 You might die tomorrow. You are not young man. What age are youY' "Sixty-three. MT. Metaxa turned over long column of figures. Here is an actuary's table, :" said he At your time of life the aver age expectancy of life is only few years even in well preserved man." "Do you mean to insinuate that l am not a well preserved man?' "WeI, admiral it is trying life at sea. Sailors in their younger days are gay dogs and take it out of themselves. Then when they grow older they are still hard at it and have no chance of rest or peace l do not think sailors life a good one."
 "I'll tell you what, sir, said the ad. miral hotly. "If you have two pairs oi gloves, I'll undertake to knock you out under three rounds, or I'll race you from he1e to St. Paul's, and my friend here will see fair. I'll let you see whether am an old man or not"
 ''This is beside the question:" said the money lender with deprecatory shrug. "The point is that if you died tomorrow where would be the security thenY'
 "I could insure my life and make the policy over to you"
 Your premiums for such a sum, if any office would have you, which very much doubt, would come to close on e500 year. That would hardly suit your book"
 "Well, sir, what do you intend to pro poser" asked the admiral.
 ''I might, to accommodate you, work it in another way. should send for a l your life. Then might see what could be done."
 "That is.quite fair. have no objec. ton to that"
 "There is very clever doctor in the street here Proudie is his name. John, go and fetch Dr. Proudie." The youth was dispatched upon his errand, while MT. Metaxa sat at his desk, trimming his nails and shooting out little comments upon the weather. Presently feet were heard upon the stairs, the money lender hurried out, there was 8 sound of whis. pering, and he returned with large, fat greasy looking man clad in much worn frock coat and very dilapidated top hat
 "Dr. Proudie, gentlemen" said Mr. Metaxa. .,
 The doctor bowed, smiled, whipped of his hat and produced his stethoscope from it's interior with the air of con juror upon the stage. Which of these gentlemen am to examiner he asked blinking from one to the other of them "Ah, it is you! Only your waistcoat You need not undo your collar Thanl youl A full breath! Thank youl Nine ty-nine! Thank youl Now hold you1 breath for a moment. Oh, dear, dear what is this hear?' ..-., l. "What is it. then?" asked the admira coolly.
 'sTut, tut! This is q great pity. Hav' you had rheumatic fever?
 "Never." ,- .--s..- ..-. B.
 "You have had some serious illness?"
 "Never."
 "Ah, you are an admiral. You hav been abroad. tropics, malaria. ague- know"
 Il have never had days illness"
 Mot to your knowledge, but yo' have inhaled unhealthy air, and it ha left it's effect. You have an organi murmur- slight, but distinct"
 "Is it dangerous"
 ssIt might at any time become SC You should not take violent exercise"
 "Oh, indeed It would hurt me t run half mile?'
 ssIt would be very dangerous"
 "And mile?'
 "Would be almost certainly fatal"
 .sThen there is nothing else the mai - ter?' @ No. But if the heart is weak the everything is weak. and the life is not sound one. 5 < "You see, admiral. remarked MT. Mt taxa as the doctor secreted his stethC scope once more in his hat, "iny remark were not entirely uncalled for. a1 sorry that the doctors opinion is nc more favorable, but this is a matter ( business, and certain obvious precar |. tions must be taken" "Of course Then the matter is at a end"
 "Well, we might even now do bus ness. I am most anxious to be of use you. How long do you think, doctor that this gentleman will in all probs bility liver"
 "Well, we'll. it's rather delicate que tion to answer" said MT. Proudie, wit a show of embarrassment. "Not bit. sir. Out with itl I hay faced death too often to finch from