Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-01-05
CHAPTER III.
AN AWFUL AWAKENING q.

This is our home" said Mr.. ST. Cyr.
as with hospitable wave of the hand e
ushered his guest into the drawing room.
And such a homel The young man had
expected to see elegance, but the rich
ness of the scene quite aston shed him, and
bespoke weilth with which he had never
before been brought in contact.
LET us go to the library. father" sug-
pested Berenice. Its far cozier there. :"
Straws are said to show from VIII ch
direction the wind is blowing, and the
alacrity with which the father acquiesced
was sufficient to convince the young mau
that the daughter was the ruler OF the
mansion.
Assuming the Office Of guide, the beau
tiful girl led the way through n number
of large apartments luxur antly furnished,
and glowing with the richest hues of art
to the apartment she had suggested.
It was indeed coy place. Two sides
of the room were covered with books,
and on the third an oIen FIRE burned
brightly
This is fathers den," announced
Berenice, as she pointed to a revolving
desk and a steel safe, which stood beside
it, Il can't make him i've up business. "
Now, daughter" S id the old gentle
man reproachfully.
AT least not Qu te, corrected she.
"You shall decide the matter, Mr.
Winters" spoke up the young man as
the other paused Cole Winters. |
should have mentioned my name before.
"No, You shouldn't" declared pretty
Berenipe. The fault was ours-we never
gave you o chance"
Its not yet too late to be polite, said
the host smiling. BE seated, plea g.,
and favor US with O more complete intro
duction. Mr.. Winters"
Il can add but lite to what have
said, remarked the young man. as he ac-
cepted tue proffered easy-chair. My
life has been uneventful. | have nothing
besides my name"
a nam that is, good name is
fortune in itself" sal | the old man, en-
couragingly.
Il was born in Central Illinois, and am
Just TWEEN y-two." Cole went on. My
parents both died when | was quite
Young. leaving me some little property as
an inheritancs. All of this was expended
on nv education. About three moi tbs
ago | completed my college course, and
me to Chicago to seek an opening in
life"
And have been successful?' queried
Mr.. st. Cyr.
"On the contrary, have failed at ev-
ery turn. had contemplated following
the law, and sought place in the office
Of an attorney. This | could have readily
secured, but no one would pay me any
salary with which 10 support myself.
Then l sought a mercantile position, but
was unable to secure one, as | had hal
no experience as clerk. After this
aspired to no particular line, but sought
anv kind of honorable employment. "
And failed at all points,"
"Something worse. A private banker
hired me for yelr grew suspicious
of him and his methods; and discovering
him to be engaged in a dishon orable
business. quilted h m after working a
month. for which / received no compen-
sation.
And besides losing your salary you
have made an enemy?"
Exactly"
What is his name?"
Max Morris.
'Ha!" calculated Mr.. ST. Cyr. "The
friend and former partner of Almon
Searsl"
"The same I've often seen Mr. Sears
in his private Office.
This Almon Sears is the son OF an old
and valued friend, who died years ago,
leaving him penniIess. loved him for
his father. gave him every educational
advantage, started him in bus ness, and,
had he proved in all respects worthy, ]
had even designed
The speaker paused as he caught a
glimpse of his daughters pale face. -.
He contemplated marrying him to his
daughter, was Coles ment comment.
Enough of HIM" said the old man,
with slight show of ofpetulance. Pardon
the interruption.
Il have 70 more TO tell. My stock of
money being exhausted, | supported my
self by doing copying at begg"rly price.
Tonight sited the Exposition IN the
hope Of securin place. Falling in that,
| ascended TO the observatory, whore
had the good fortune to be of some small
service.
"a service which nothing can repay"
cried the old man with fond look at his
rescued child Il like you, Mr. Winters
like your honest face and the integrity OF
your heart and mind, as revealed in your
frank, open story"
"You fiatter me, sir, d" faltered Cole, his
embarrassment heightened BY the look Of