The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-09-03

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L% snuggest OF offices.
kWy&N He was white-haired
Win and amiable. with
b,V deep-lined aquiline
face. was addicted
to low bows. and
self at half-cock, as though Just de-
scending into one, or Just recovering
himself. He wore high-buckled stock,
took snuff. and adorned his CONVERSE
ton with little scraps from the classics:
MY dear sir" said he. when he had
listened to the story. ''any friend Of
Mrs. Westmacott's Is friend Of mine.
Try a pinch. I wonder that you should
have gone to this man Metaxa. His
advertisement Is enough to condemn
him. Habet foenum in cornu. They are
all rogues."
1.-THE doctor was a rogue, too. I didn't
like the look Of him at the time"
"Arcades ambo. But now we must
see what we can do for you. OF course
what Metaxa said was perfectly right.
The pension IL in itself no security at
all. unless 1t were accompanied by q
life assurance which would be an in
come In itself. It IL no good what
ever"
His clients faces fell.
But there Is the second alternative.
You might sell the pension right out.
Speculative investors occasionally deal
In such things. have one client, a
sporting man. who would To very likely
to take It up II we could agree upon
terms. OF course. I must follow Me-
taxa's example by sending for doctor.
For the second time was the Admiral
punched and tapped and listened to.
This time. however, there could be no
question Of the qualifications Of the
doctor, q well-known Fellow Of the Col
lege OF Surgeons, and his report was as
favorable as the others had been ad.
verse.
He has the heart and chest Of . man
or forty" said he. II can recommend
his life AZ one Of the best Of his age
that have ever examined"
That's well." said Mr.. McAdam,
making Q note Of the doctors remarks.
while the Admiral disbursed a second
guinea. ''Your price, understand. IL
hve thousand pounds. can commune
cate with Mr.. Elberry, my client, and
let you know whether he cares to touch
the matter. Meanwhile you can leave
your pension papers here. and will
give you q receipt for them.'
Very well. should like the money
SOON"
THAT is why I am retaining the
papers. II can see Mr.. Elberry to-
day we may let you have cheque to-
morrow. Try another pinch. NOT
Well. goodbye. I am very happy to
have been Of service" Mr.. McAdam
bowed them out, for he was a very
busy man, and they found themselves
In the street once more with lighter
hearts than when they had left it.
well. Westmacott, am sure I am
very much obliged to you," said the
Admiral. "You have stood by me
when was the better for little help,
for I'm clean out Of my soundings
among these city sharks. But I've
something to do now which is more in
my own line, and need not trouble
you any more"
ooh. 1t is no trouble. have nothing
to do. never have anything to do.
don't suppose could do It II I had.
I should be delighted to come with you,
sir, II I can be Of any use."
i. mo. no. my lad. You go home again.
It would be kind Of you, though, IL
you would look In at number one when
you get back and tell my wife that alls
well with me, and that I'll be back in
an hour or 30"
"All right, sir. I'll tell her." West
macott raised his hat and strobe away
to the westward, while the Admiral,
after q hurried lunch, bent his steps
towards the east.
It was a long walk. but the old sea-
man swung along at rousing pace,
leaving street after street behind him.
The great business places dwindled
down into commonplace shops and
dwellings, which decreased and became
more stunted, even as the folk who filled
them did, until he was deep in the evil
places Of the eastern end. It was a
land Of huge. dark houses and Of gar
ish gin-shops. land. too. where life
moves irregularly and where adven-
lures are to be gained-as the Admiral
was to learn to his cost.
He was hurrying down one Of the
long, narrow. stone-hagged lanes be-
tween the double lines Of crouching.
disheveled women and Of dirty children
who sat on the followed steps Of the
houses. and basked in the autumn sun.
At one side was barrowman with a
load Of walnuts, and beside the barrow
q bedraggled woman with q black
fringe and q chequered shawl thrown
over her. head. She was cracking wal.
nuts and picking them out Of the shells,
throwing out remark occasionally to
9 rough man In q rabbit-skin cap, with
straps under the knees Of his corduroy
trousers, who stood pufiing black clay
pipe with his back against the wall.
What the cause Of the quarrel was, or
what sharp sarcasm from the woman'S
lNHp