The herald., 1896-09-06

! next bankruptcy was three years later, ana
very unexpected. My third"
''Never mud" SAID drearily, going ints
all the bankruptcies"
IT merely wanted to show you that did
work and struggle, whatever Philip said OF
my idleness; Philip also said that I should
die of drink, and in a moment Of irritation
expressed the hope that would do it soon.
1 must show you that his version OF my
character was not the right one. have
my self-respect."
"AIl right" l said,'"I see that you don't
drink now, Mr.. Portland. But had we not
better come to business? Why have you
| applied to me?"
because 1 thought 1t possible that you
might not wish me to apply to Wilmay or
Sir Vincent"
"Shall speak quite plainly?'
Certainly"
IT should prefer that you never saw eth
er, and never communicated with either In
any way"
eyes," he said, "you have spoken plain
ly, and I will speak as plainly. I have no
recollection of Wilmay and I have never
seen Sir Vincent Carrone. As far as my af-
fection for them is concerned, 1t does not
matter one straw to me If I never see either
and they are left in ignorance of my exist
ence. 1t is on a point Of principle that
should see them. feel myself debtor to
them-it is my duty, and feel it to be my
duty. to repay them every penny Of the
money that my sister and Philip advanced
me. have kept a note Of the exact sum,
six thousand five hundred pounds. and
wish to repay it,"
For the moment I was very much sur
prised. but it was only for moment.
II need not say that have not the mon-
ey," he went on. "But they can very we'll
afford to advance me the thousand that will
enable me to get that and much more.
am her mothers brother, and her father
was exceedingly kind to me until an unfor-
tunate misunderstanding I have a claim" I"
Look here" said, "you have told mo
you once made fortune. Why didn't you
repay then?"
IT was on the point Of doing SO. But I
was extending my business at the time. Ex-
tend business TOO far, and 1t breaks
llike-er-elastic. Mine broke"
walked up and down the room. For
Wilmay's sake had to get this man out Of
England. would speak to Sir Vincent about
him, because knew he would take COM
nonsense view of the case and because it
seemed unfair not to tell hiEl. But want
ed to keep Forland away from Wilmay, and
not to let the relationship become publicly
known.
"where would you go. II you had mon
ey?" asked.
"Coolgardie," he replied without the least
hesitation.
well, said. "I'm glad you came to me.
| Wilmay has no power at present to give
you the money.Sir Vincent wouldn't give
you it. I can and will. am going to
write cheque for two hundred, and I will
pay the balance Of eight hundred pounds to
you in instalments Of one hundred every
three months. Should you, during that
| period, at any time return to England, or
communicate in any way with Wilmay or
| Sir Vincent Carrone, the remainder due to
you will be stopped"
He said that he was reluctant to take
sonally he had no claim whatever. He hop
ed that would regard It as an investment
simply as an investment. In short. he
accepted the arrangement, and pocketed the
cheque.
"And now," he said. "you must dine with
me-"
| For the fun Of the thing, did dine with
him, and 1 have never been better enter
tained.H He told stories about himself, and 1
have no doubt that he lied, but he lied most
amusingly. He kept glass of wine by his