The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-08


afraid OF the young man. as though some
way mysterious. not 10 say uncanny.
Paul thought IL best 10 wait for the por-
tiers return: and ne stood outside, under
the archwsy. for FIVE minutes. smoking q
cigar. with his bag az HIS feet.
When Mike came hack with the two
copies OF the Sunday newspaper he had
been sent TO get Paul gave him the money
for them and an extra quarter for himself
Then the young man picked up his bag
again.
When my father comes down. Mike"
he said. tell him may be little late in
getting hack this morning
AN are We goin' away now, Mister
Paul?" the porter asked. What good was
II then We got ont O. bed before breakfast
and come down here so early in the
mornin'?'
Paul laughed a little.
II had a reason for coming here this
morning" he answered briefly; and with
that he walked away. his bag in one hand
and the two bulky and gaudy Sunday
newspapers in the other.
Mike watched him turn the corner and
then went into the store again. where Bob
greeted him promptly with a request 20
know why the old mans son had been get
ting up by the bright light.
'If was the boss or the boss son. eth
err said Bob, II wouldn't get up till was
good and ready. I'd have my breakfast in
bed If had mind to-an' my dinner. too
an my supper An I wouldn't do no
work an I'd go to the theayter every night
an twict on saturdays"
'tT dunno why Mister Paul was down."
Mike explained. "All he wanted was two
of them Sunday papers with pictures into
EN-. What did he want two o. thin for.
! dunno. There's readin' enough in one o.
thin TO last me a month O. Sundays"
1t may be surmised that Mike would have
been still more in the dark as to Paul
Whittiers reasons for coming down town
so early that Monday morning. IL he could
have seen the young man throw the Two
copies of the Gotham Gazette into the first
ashcart he passed after he was out of the
range of the porter's vision.
Paul was not the only member OF Whit
tier, Wheatcroft & Co to arrive at the
Office early that morning. Mr.. Wheatcroft
was usually punctual, taking his seat at
his desk just as the clock struck half past g.
On this Monday morning he entered the
store little before 9.
AS he walked back TO the Office he looked
over the desks of the clerks as though he
was seeking some one.
At the door OF the office he met Bob.
Hasn't the major come down YETI" he
asked shortly.
NO. sir" the Office boy answered. "He
don't never get here till o.
Him." grunted the junior partner.
when he does come tell him want TO
see him at once! At once! Do you under
standr"
II amt deaf and dumb and blind" Bob
responded 'I'll steer him into you soon
as ever he shows up
But, for a wonder the old bookkeeper
was late that morning. Ordinarily he was
a model OF exactitude. Yet the clock struck
and half-past and 10 before he appeared
in the store.
Before he had changed his coat Bob was
at his side.
Mr.. Wheatcroft, he wants to see you
now in hurry" said the boy.
Major Van Zandt paled swiftly and
steadied himself by grasp of the railing
Does Mr.. Wheatcroft wish to see me?'
he asked, family.
You bet he does" the boy answered,
AN in hurry. too. He come bright and
early this mornin' a-purpose TO see you
an he's been a-waitin' for two hours. An
1 guess he's got his mad up nowt
When the old bookkeeper. with his
blanched face and his faltering STEP en-
tered the private office. Mr.. wheatcroft
wheeled around in his chair.
''Oh, it's you, is it?" he cried. "At last"
Il regret that / was late this morning,
Mr.. Wheatcroft," Van Zandt began.
That's no matter!" said his employer.
AT least want 10 talk to you about some
thing else"
About something else?" echoed the old
man. feehly.
Yes" responded Mr.. Wheatcroft. shut
the door behind you, please. so that that
red-headed cub out there can't hear what
L m going to say. And take a chair Yes
There is something else I've got to say TO
you, and want you to be frank with me-"
Whatever 1t was that Mr.. Wheatcroft
had to say to Major Van Zandt il had to
be said under the eyes of the clerks on tho
other side of the glass partition. And it
took long time saying, for it was evil
dent to any observer of the two men as
they sat there in the private office that
Mr.. Wheatcroft was trying to force an
explanation OF some kind from the old
hookkeeper, and that the major was re-
sisting his employers entreaties as best he
could. Apparently the matter under dis
cussion was of an Importance so grave as
10 make Mr.. Wheatcroft resolutely retain
his self-contrel: and not once did he let his
voice break out explosively, as was his
custom.
Major Van Zandt was stu closeted with
Mr.. Wheatcroft when Mr.. Whittier ar
rived. The senior partner stopped near the
street door to speak TO a clerk. and he wa1
Joined almost Immediately by his SON
Well, Paul" said the father. have l
got down here before you, after all AMI In
spite or your running away last night?"
mo" the son responded. II was the first
to arrive this morning-luckily."
Luckily" echoed his father. II sup
pose that means that you have been able
to accomplish your purpose-whatever it
was. You didn't tell me, YOU know"
I'm ready TO tell you now. father" said
Paul, since I have succeeded"
Walking down the store together, they
came to the private office.
AS the old bookkeeper saw them he
started up and made as though TO leave
the office.
Keep your seat. major" cried Mr..
T