The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-11-21
IMPERlHL MILLIONS
By JULIAN HAWTHORNE


man, and of striking appearance. His
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 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
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 automatically, though with
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, ''and 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 large and
beautiful ring.
"Not enough elbow room" Tom sug-
gested. "No, | suppose not. But, by
the way, I'm not real estate agent, I'm
| a lawyer"
81 comprehend. But am stranger
here; find the customs unfamiliar. l
| thought, if get some one to act for me,
it is more expedient and quicker. pay
each month so much, all is done and I
make no mistake. Am clear?"
81 understand what you mean," said
Tom, endeavoring to disguise his excite.
ment by rubbing his chin and looking
out of the window. 'sBy Georgev'
| thought he to himself, eff this fellows
as rich as they say, may make money
out of him. Wonder how five thousand
year would strike him? Courage, my
boy! Now or neverl You would like
me to take entire charge of your busi-
ness affairs while you are here?" he con-
tinued alond. '.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 jubilant tone. In
a moment his warm Irish imagination
had built hundred castles in the air.
ePardon me; would not expect you
to accept that" said the count. gravely.
81 had hoped to induce you to give your
time almost wholly to my affairs, and if
ten thousand dollars 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
OF hin, 70 in Si1onao SSnn
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, "Tm afraid shall
have to decline it."
81 should he sorry for that. May l
ask why?'
"Pll tell you just what's in my mind.
Such sum is unheard of. In my pro-
fession I've made it rule never to do
anything that would make me feel un-
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 month means
that you are after something that is not
legitimate, and l must tell you that
you've come to the wrong place for it?''
The count listened to this speech very
attentively and it evidently pleased him.
81 see / have not been misinformed
about you," he said. 81 am glad You
have sofrankly spoken. When you know
me better you will withdraw your ref1ec.
tion on my motives. intend no crime;
nothing that your conscience or your
wife would not approve. Mr.. Bannick.
wish you to remain entirely independ-
ent. You will be at liberty to terminate
our agreement without warning, at the
moment when I suggest anything that
you may disapprove. But you must
meanwhile let me be judge of the value
of your service. An honest man is not
easy to find, even in New York; and he
is therefore valuable. You will have
the management of large interests and
the offer make you is not more than a
fair commission"
81 can't believe itr' calculated Tom.
81 mean-I beg your pardon-it seems
as if there must be something behind.
NAV be fool no doubt-in fact, that's