The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-22

frmer became my conviction that Donald
Gordon must be dead. He did not die In
the orthodox fashion, else there would be
record Of his death, but there was no evi-
dence that be ever left the city, and he was
not in il now.
laid my conclusion before the detective,
before the bankers and some others They
all said it was plausible. "Only," said one,
"you forget Donald's pride. He was the
proudest man l ever knew in my life; in
deed he was silly in that way" And. to
be sure, there was Donald's pride to be
taken into account. But il did not aid us.
At the end of two months had exhausted
thy own ingenuity and that of all my
friends including the detective, without
coming on single trace of Donald. If he
was dead, he was buried beyond hope of dis
covery; IL he had gone away, he had most
effectually covered up his tracks. There
seemed TO be nothing for it but TO abandon
the search, write my dismal report, remit
Sir Thomas his money and turn TO my own
concerns. My friends admitted it really
was the only thing to be done
Indeed. Mr. Kilgour." said Mr.. Macdon-
aid, banker, at whose dinner table the
matter was discussed, ''if IL were finan-
cial speculation depending for return of
profit on the finding of the volatile Donald
Gordon--who, for aught i know, has tho
power Of making himself invisible-I am
bound to confess / would have nothing to
do with 10. 1t seems unquestionable that
Mr.. Donald has gone, desiring no further
news Of his friends, and i think you are
right in giving up the chase. And now
that you have disposed of Sir Thomas Cor
don's business, might l ask what youi
plans are for yourselfi"
was obliged to answer that I had nc
definite plans as yet, having been so alb
sorbed in the hunt for Gordon that | had
had no time TO think of myself. but now ]
would certainly look out for an opening.
"As to that" said he. ''there is desk nj
your disposal in the house of Macdonald
Mactavish & Macintosh - good Scotch
names, all Of them, you will observe-any
time you may feel inclined 10 begin work
The emoluments will be sufficient TO en-
able you to live pending the finding OF
something better should you not take kind
ly TO banking"
II have had some knowledge Of highland
ers," put in Mr.. Matheson, one OF the mer
chant princes TO whom had a letter Of in
PRODUCTION. II have had some knowledge
OF highlanders, and i hardly ever saw ont
of them feel at home at desk Put a gun
or a sword, or tarry rope, or anything elst
that means fresh air and activity In then
hands, and they're "a much nc home as s
rabbit in a sand hill But that's not saying
that Mr.. Kilgour would not take kindly tc
banking IL he's after rupees, he will, y
and Mr.. Matheson cast glance Of intelli
scncc at his friend.
hastened to say that was very CRATE
full 20 Mr.. Macdonald for his generous
offer, and that, with his permission, ]
would keep 1t under consideration for aday
or two.
"Quite right, Mr.. Kilgour, quite right
said Mr.. Macdonald cordially. Look
well before you leap, especially in this LAND
OF deceits, though, TO tell you the truth and
never fiatter, you have done so well In this
Gordon business that should like t
catch you. However I say again, Won ar,
quite right 90 avoid n rash decision. n
false step involves "A change. and though
the proverb says that changes are light
some IL adds that only fools are fond OF
them. am not one ofthose who pin then
faith TO proverbs, good OF bad II a rolling
stone does not gather moss. IL often gathers
what Is a great deal better than moss-an
auriferous coating that we are all glad &c
admire SO don't decide hastily. Its o