Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-21

host, I would choose the seat near
large, dark, uncurtained window of
stained glass.
at will have to be pretty hot,
though" | said to myself, before / go
out of this house and leave that man
free behind"
AS ii my thought had brought him,
he came in, smiling, urbanely greeting
me as valued friend
"Mr. Napier! it was good of you to
come" he exclaimed, refraining from
offering me his hand, and thus saving
me premature betrayal of my senti-
ments. We'll, from all 1 hear. you
have done the commission | gave you
excellently well. 1t was not difficult,
was it,"
Not at ALL" 1 responded politely;
for my time had not yet come.
"The tasks l set are easy, and the
payment l offer generous. | pride my
self on that. Would you care to go
with me, into another little scheme, in
which some one else should do the
work and you, with the exception of
small percentage to me, should have all
the profits?'
1T sounds attractive" commented.
"And it is. Won't you sit DOWN.
/ took the chair had previously Sc
lected, and he placed himself in the on
ly other remaining one.
Now we will have some rather SER
ious conversation, if you please. You
will remember my mentioning to you
the other night that, before summon
ing you here, had kept you in my eye,
SO to speak, for some time, only wait
ing until you should have grown des-
perate enough, under the burden OF
your troubles, to be-er-in a specula-
tive frame of mind?'
Il remember distinctly"
well, had originally purpose in
sending for you, of an entirely differ
ent nature from the one finally carried
out"
Il guessed that" I was on the point
of returning, but with an effort L held
my peace, only smiling questioning
assent.
Yes; it was a purpose which could
wait. But as you have done so well
for me l think it only right that your
interests should be Immediately consid-
cred. You have an elder brother, Lord
Hardhurst?"
Il have" / assented
HE has treated you somewhat
harshly since your trouble few weeks
ago, l understand. | have heard, too,
that you and Lord Hardhurst have
never been on particularly affectionate
terms"
Your knowledge of me and my af-
fairs is remarkable, considering how
little | have seen of you" l was keep
ing myself still in hand.
"At his death you will find yourself
in very different position from the
present. Not only will the title be
yours, but large fortune; such for
tune that you can afford to laugh over
the hard knocks which Fate has lately
dealt you. The past failings or mis-
fortunes of very rich man are soon
forgotten"
l shrugged my shoulders, and Mr..
Smith considered himself answered.
Lord Hardhurst is afflicted in such
manner that he can hardly enjoy the
good things of this world as other men
enjoy them he went on. 'Neverthe-
less, like most deformed persons, he
has an extraordinary tenacious hold
upon life, and is likely to reach such
an age, that many years hence you will
still be poor man, and an alien
What are you driving at?'' l inter
polated abruptly you might as we'll
speak out now as later"
81 within one moment / have q
question to ask you first. Have you
ever noticed, Mr.. Napier, in this coun-
try the others, where elder sons have
the law on their side, and thus reap
many advantages denied to those born