Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-03-25
CHAPTER I.-CoNTINuEn.

Upon the morrow | duly presented
myself at the Gerard mansion. | DOS
sessed suit of dress-clothes, in which
i arrayed myself with lively satisfac-
uon. l hadn't tied white cravat for
over year, and my hand had lost
something of its cunning; but I felt
AT home in my sables and-I will not
say gentleman, for every son of the
Golden West is gentleman, but-a
gentilhomme.
My patron greeted me with keen
glance. He wore, what he had worn
the day before, plain business suit,
and he received me in the library.
"Cocktail?" he asked, abruptly.
bowed; and the butler brought the
drinks.
ITO your very good health said
Gerard, with his queer stare.
AT your service, SIR"
81 hope So" he replied, with an odd
chuckle. you've fine appetite, Ell?
That's right. And I'm going to give
you dinner worthy of it. Yes, yes;
dinner fit for prince"
He led the way to his dining room,
ana we sat down tete-a-tete. Mr..
Gerard piled me with questions, and his
servants with meat and drink.
Know many people on this coast?"
he asked, as he gulped down his soup,
q wonderful PURGE of chicken, with as
paragus points in it.
Not soul, except George Poindcx-
ter"
"Abem!" lie frowned. 1.-The less
You see of him the better. | presume
he was at Yale with you. just so. a
fool! Leave fools alone. I'm afraid Of
fools. Knaycs | can handle"
He gobblcd up his fish, and he tried a
new tack.
You amt engaged to be married.
he blurted out. mo? Glad to hear
it. And you said you were an orphan
eh?"
81 don't think so; but l am an or
phan." -,
"Goodl | mean"-hc blinked and
crinned at his slip-"l mean, my boy
that for the game ahead it's better for
YOU to be-er-free.
you spoke yesterday of slavery"
ola ha! so did, so did. Well, we'll
y.e're all slaves, amt we? I'm slave
to nv millions; you ought to be slave
TO your appetite and-er-the eX'-
cencies of youth. You were brought
M in luxury? Your father was a rich
MANI"
"Yes."
81 know all about that. How does e,,
this Chateau Yquem suit your palate
became enthusiastic Immediately
Nv fathers cellars in Philadelphia were
forous but he had never owned such
wine as this, and said so. He seemed
pleased. .roatto flor
"l'Il give You bottle OF Lafltte alter
a;,rer" he said, solemnly, (which you
will appreciate. I'm glad you know the
1;gerence between good wine and BAD
'hetween dining, as we are dining, ana
moro eating. You like pictures, eh?'
"Tbat one belonged to u.s." l said'
olapcing gloomily at fine Constable
"IIl let you have it-when you want
tat the price gave forit." lie named :,
considerable sum. "You would IKE
10 neered at me from behind his glass
- ITO buy back the old acres?" 49,
"Yes," l replied, with energy
would" ou ,,y
"Things are coming your way my
,or Incky. now, wasn't it, that you
rssd that little 'ad'? How long, at say
! bjrty dollars a MONTH would u TAKE
~ INV that picture, or dozen cases
- wine even? Eth? eh?'
" riftv minutes later the dinner (as he
.;a dinner fit for a prince came to
SUN md and we returned to the library
',hsre coffee was served in some won,
,a n Relleek china cups. Then my host
Unlocked grotesquely carved Chinese
oahinet and produced some curious cl'
cars. cigars never seen in the marhe :,
ea's' nd thin. with outside leaves OF
'on 1,7etv dneness, and Il fragrance whicn
,, en still in my memory lhese
. ..'o s;iohted, and Gerard, sitting near me
VIC WI Il bic hack to the lamp, sighed softly
confess that | was nervous ne
isorote dinner, the rare VINES 'hc
el% n' turning as it had upon the glory
vi desirability of things MATERIAL nav
s aup my senses, but aroused my sds.
stl .ons Why, asked myself, why
p ,. no,nde of wealth, this worship OF
,hlS GnIlcn Calf? Gerard, watching Inc
, 81. his shrewd blinking eyes, in'ef
rretea my thoughts