Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-19

By MRS. c. N. WILLIAMSON,
Author Of aThe Barn Stormers," 1.-THE Woman in Grey" "Fortuncs
Sport" aThe House by Lock- &C.
(Copyright.)

servant lock behind me the door OF
the passage leading to this room?" ]
demanded at last.
"Hassan Is as peculiar as his mas
ter" said the man who called himself
"Mr. Smith," "He is devoted to me,
and l suppose he wished to make sure
that you would not cut short out tete-
a-tete before I was ready for 1t to
end"
Now, for the first time in our con-
versation, l felt that he had told the
truth, perhaps even the whole truth,
save that no doubt Hassan had receiv-
ed special orders for all that he had
done.
Il did not hear you make any effort
to thwart my servants ZEAL" went on
my companion, breaking the silence.
ut was the same to me, to come for
ward or to go back, whatever happen
ed. If you know as much of me as you
Tint you a probably understand
that"
Possibly; for again I reiterate that
am dealing with a brave man. If l
had not been SUI of this l should not
have chosen you from among many
other unfortunates, all more or less de-
serving of sympathy and aid. Mr..
Napier, l ask you a frank question,
and l hope for a frank answer. Are,
OF are not, your prospects for the flu
ture brilliant ones?"
Il sail for the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Whether l shall stand or fall there,
who knows? 1 expect nothing. l go
simply because l had to do something
with my life, and, tossing up a copper
to see whether it should fall heads for
Australia or tails for Africa, tails it
was"
Have you money beyond your fare
and supplies as a steerage passenger,
which | am aware that you have pur-
chased?'
Not a sou," l retorted, for the alb
sinthe had taken the chill out of my
veins, and not having touched food
fer twelve hours or more, it's fumes
had quickly mounted to my brain. 81
must begin by breaking stones or pick
ing up any odd job that comes in my
way"
"Mr. Smith" lifted his white eye
brows meaningly. mot an
ing outlook" he observed. There will
be many who count on the same
chances. At the end of six months
where will they all be-"
There was something peculiarly de-
pressing in the gloomy gaze he fas-
tened upon me, the deep eyes seeming
to look straight into my soul. AS if
touched by an icy finger, l shivered,
IS l had not shivered in the rain and
wind of the February midnight in the
Park.
Suddenly he bent forward, leaning
On the arm of his chair. What if l
said that 1 was ready to make your
fortune?" he queried, a pause empha-
sizing each slowly articulated word.
For a moment we sat staring into
each others eyes, and l became con
scious for the first time that there was
a fire in the room by the dropping Of
a coal.
"If you spoke out what was in your
mind" he added, when l did not at
enc answer, you'd say that should !
make such a statement you would not
believe me-"
us it your habit to summon social
wrecks to you and offer them such an
opportunity as you intimate you may
offer to me?" l retorted.
A sudden CLEAN shot from his eyes,
like the red sheen deep under the sur
face of a carbuncle when it feels the
light.
I'VE will not g%eneralize, if you
please" he said, less sauvely than he
had yet spoken; and l knew that my
arrow had found some chink within
his armor. Let it suffice that I do
offer you the opportunity. You know
hest whether you are in a position to
lose it by quibbling-or haggling.
You are a man Of the world, and l
won't attempt to force your belief in
by entire disinterestedness, but l am
willing to strike a bargain, and pay
you handsomely for services rendered.
If you accept my terms, fulfill the con
tract, and carry out your part OF the
agreement satisfactorily to me, the fu-
ture may hold many openings as good
as the one l am waiting to explain to
you. Now you have the situation in
a nutshell"
"Can l perform this service for you
in Africa?"I nonchalantly inquired.
Yet my lightness was more than half
assumed, for there was that IN the
mans eye, and in the whole situation,
which told me that grave issues were
pending.
"You could not perform it there"