The Princeton union., 1900-11-15
amplification,' and we went over the

papers Ill your dispatch DOA dI HlSHt
and keep the thing entirely private.
1T is just possible that you may wish
to give the job to some one else, gen
eral, as shall hardly be here to COM
plete it," | said, rather stifiy, and
with that l handed him the sheet Of
foolscap which contained my resigna-
ton. .".>. = r.
"Why, Wood, hang it all, you don't
mean this surely?"' cried Sir Charles,
aghast. You can't have taken Offcnse
at what l. said this morning? I was I
tritie put out, perhaps, but l never
meant it seriously. No, no; take this
beastly thing back or let me tear it up.
This will never do. Forgive and for
get, my boy. There's my hand on it. I
beg your pardon and know you
won't be late again."
I fastened to explain that my resis-
nation was in no way the result Of
pique, and that was on the point Of
sending in my papers to retire from
the service altogether
'"The simple fact is that have come
into money, sir-a good bit Of money!"
I explained.
"How much, it it is fair question: ::
l ask because you may have !: good
enough income, 2 devilish fine INCOME,
and yet it would be wiser for YOU to
stay here. The discipline of any regu-
lar routine work is good for independ-
ent men. Believe me, you'd soon sick
ell of being entirely your own master:
take to drink or cards or petticoats
and go to the devil hands down. What
is 1.-two, three, four thousand a
| year!'
1t is far more than that, Si1
Charles" I went on. II believe I am q
millionaire two or three times over
Will you please read that?" and !
handed him my lawyers letter.
| "Whew!' He whistled several bar.
of a popular street melody (very much
out of tune), folded up the letter. hand
ed it back, and then, looking mt
straight in the face, said, with slow
kindly emphasis:
"By George, Wood, I pity you.''
1t was not quite what I expected
from this experienced, long headed
man of the world, and he read m,
disappointment in my face.
doesn't please you, eh? You thinl
yourself the most fortunate chap alive
But you're all wrong. Vast riches ar
a nuisance-they are worse
He threw up both his hands and be
gan to slowly pace up and down tn
room.
"a nuisance! A tyranny indeed
They will weigh you down and worr,
you perpetually. Lord, Lord, the car
of all this money, the use of it, tn
defense of it! The whole world, Wood
is made up Of two classes-those VIII
have money, and those who want t
take it from them. You will soon hay
much poorer opinion of human na
ture, with their continual cry Of Give
give But let's talk about yourself
What do you mean to do?''
Honestly, Sir Charles, | hardl
know. | am still too much bewildere
and taken aback by what happened
Will you advise me, sir?''
Its not so easy, my lad. 1t depend
so much upon yourself-upon you
principles, your tastes and predilec
tions. OF course you will marry, an,
I've a shrewd notion which way you
fancy lies. I know her well-Frid
Fairholme, that little mink. Mis-
Frida will lead you fine dance.'
, '"But, Sir Charles, have neve
| spoken to her. I have no reason t
suppose that. if did, she would nc
cept me-"
''Try her." said the general dryly
, "You have three millions and odd-ne,
and strangely eloquent reasons fo
convincing her Of your WORTH
t "She Is not that sort at all, 81
Charles"
'"Then Eve wasn't her ancestor. Nv
known. her from a child. She's prett
enough, I'll admit, but, by the livin
jingo. I'd rather you married her tha
, I. BY George, she'll be handful! A
< any rate, she will give you plenty t
, do. Miss Frida will set the none
moving, and you too. So much the be
ter, perhaps"
e |Then you advise me to leave til
: service, sir:"
5 "Of course you must leave" he :roa
I ed with sudden fury. "What, a ca,
y tain in the army with a hundred an
t fifty thousand q year! It's out of til
< question. But don't be in too great
: hurry, Wood. Suppose this windfa
proves a fraud, where are you? 70
: can have leave-although don't kno,
!. how I can spare you with all this E,
l ing on"- @n
0 Leave was a weak point, with s.
h Charles.
: "But," he went on, "if you must, 70
k must, but not for a day or two, pleas
+ And, Wood, my dear chap, don't ne:
r lect this New York business am r,
Q lying so much on you for it. You'v
I been out there and know all the ropes
e So I stuck to the papers for the re.
It Of the afternoon, and when J. left d
o sired the messenger to send them on j
f a dispatch box to Charges street. -
t ~ CHAPTER III. ~.-- :
a WARNING. .. ~.
IAN American gentleman has bee
k here several times" Savory said whe