Evening star., 1897-04-17
WIZ DOW.

But not apparently in very satisfied
mood. After few moments of purely me-
chanical memoranda making he arose alb
ruptly and opened a small drawer in a cab
lhet from which he took a letter, still in
Its envelope. 1t bore a foreign postmark
CHANGING over it hastily, his eyes at last
became fixed on a concluding paragraph.
L nope, wrote his correspondent, that
will sometimes look after Barker Not
that 1 think the dear old chap will
ever 30 wrong-indeed, l often wish l was
as certain of myself as Of him and his in
slght: but I'm afraid we were more in
clined to BE- merely amused and tolerant of
his wonderful trust and simplicity than to
really understand it for his own good and
ours. know you did not like his marriage
ard was inclined to believe he was the VIC
tim of rather INSCRIPTIONS father and
foolish. unequal girl, but are you satisfied
that he would have been the happier with
out IT, or lived his perfect life under other
and what you may think wiser concs Ions?
II he wrote the opetry that he lives every
BODY would think him wonderful for being
what he is we never give him sufficient
credit" Stacy smiled grirnly and penciled
amount of $4,000" Anyhow" continued
the writer. look after him. Jim, for his
DemoreSt'
Stacy put the letter back in its envelope
and tossing 1t grimly aside, went on with
his calculations. Presently he stopped, re-
stored the letter to his cabinet, and rang a
bell on his table. Send Mr.. North here 1"
moments his chief bookkeeper appeared in
the doorway.
Turn to the Branch ledger and bring me
a statement of Mr.. George Barker's ac-
count
"He was here moment ago." said North.
chief ''-0
e! know it, said Stacy coony. without
Hes been running good deal on Wild
cat lately" suggested North.
Il asked for his account and not for your
opinion Of it," said Stacy shortly.
The subordinate withdrew somewhat
ahashed. but still curious, and returned
presently with . ledger, which he laid be-
lore his chief. Stacy ran his eyes over the
iist OF Barkers securities. 1t seemed to
him that all the widest schemes of the
past year stared him in the face. His fin
ger. however. stopped on the Wide West
extension. Mr.. Barker will be wanting to
sell some of this stock. What is 1t quoted
at now?"
Sixty"
But 1 would prefer that Mr. Barker
should not offer In the open market at
that will be $4,000 paid to his credit. Ad.
wise the Branch o fthis at once and keen
the transaction quiet"
Yes. sir" responded the clerk as he
moved toward the door. But he hesitated
and with another assay at confidence said
II irsinuatingly: II always thought, sir. thai
WIDE West would recover
stacy. perhaps. not displeased to find
what had evidently passed In his subordi-
rates mind. looked at him and said dryly,
Inen would advise you also to keep that
opinion to yourself" But. clever as he
North. though trustworthy empIoye, was
human On arriving in the outer Office. he
beekoned to one of the lounging brokers
and In low voice said: "Tn take two
n
cheap" ~ -
The brokers' face became alert and eager.
iss. but. l say. Is anything up?'
m not here to give the business of the
the order or leave it."
The man hurried away, Having thus vim
dicated his humanity by also passing the
snIo sn!;o ne mad received from Stacy to an In
ierior. he turned away to carry out his
masters instructions. yet secure In the be-
lief that he had profited by his sllnerior
discernment Of the real reason Of that mas
ters singular conduct. But when he re-
turned to the private room, in hopes Of
iurther revelations Mr.. Stacy was closefed
with another financial magnate. and had
affair '0 u 'ne "hoie
Chapter H..
When George Barker returned, to the
outer ward Of the financial stronghold he
had penetrated, with Its curvinsx sveeD Of
counters brass ratings and wirework
screens defended by the spruce clerks be-
hind them. he was again impressed with
tbs position Of the man he had Just ruitted.
and for moment hesitated, with an IN
citnation to go back. It was with no idea
OF making further appeal to his old com.
rade. but-what would have been odd in
any other nature but his-he was affected
by sense that he might have been unfair
and selfish In his manner to the man pam
opned py these defenses, and who was In
measure forced to be z part Of them
He would Ike to have returned and con-
dolea with him. Tho cierks. who " w-re