The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-06-19

| NJ. de Clameran bowed ironically and
said:
| "Shall have to wait longY'
"Long enough for me to send to the
| bank" .,' ... #
Then, turning his back on the iron
maker, NJ. Fauvel said to his cashier:
Write note to the bank for loan
of 100000 francs. Send at once. Let
the messenger take a carriage"
Prosper did not move ss
DO you hear me?" said the banker
angrily. %
The cashier tremoled. He seemed as
II he was in a stupor. -
1T is useless to send" he said.
'There is credit to this gentleman of
100000 francs, and we have less than
100000 in the bank
M" de Clameran evidently expected
this answer, for he muttered:
Naturally
Although he only pronounced. this
word, his voice, his manner, his face,
clearly said:
"This comedy is we'll acted, but nev-
ertheless it is a comedy, and I don't
intend to be duped by it."
"Oh, don't be alarmed, monsieur"
said the banker. ''This house has 9TH
er resources. Have patience till nv re-
turn"
He went out and up the narrow steps
leading to his study and at the end of
i've minutes returned, holding in his
hand letter and a bundle of securi-
| ties.
Here, quick, Couturier," he said to
one of his clerks, take my carriage
which Is waiting, and 60 with mon
s1eur to M. de Rothschild's. Give him
this letter and these securities. In ex-
change you will receive 100000 francs,
which you will hand to this gentle
man."
The iron founder was visibly disap-
pointed. He seemed to wish to apollo
gize for his impertinence.
Il assure you, monsieur, that I had
no Intention Of offending. For some
years our relations have been such that
r.
Enough, MONSIEUR" interrupted the
banker: II desire no apologies. In
business friendship counts for moth
Ing. owe you money. am not ready
to pay you. You are pressing. You
have right to demand what is your
own. Follow my clerk. He will pay
you your money"
Then he turned to his clerks who
stood curiously gazing on and said,
LAS for you, gentlemen, resume your
desks"
In moment the room was cleared
OF every one except those who belong
ed there, and they sat at their desks
with their noses almost touching the
paper before them, as If absorbed in
their work. Still excited by the events
so rapidly succeeding each other, NJ.
Andre Fauvel walked up and down the
room with quick, nervous steps. occa-
s1onally uttering some low exclama-
ton. Prosper remained leaning against
the door, with pale face and fixed eyes,
looking as if he had lost the faculty of
thinking. Finally the banker, after
long silence, stopped short Before Pros
per. He had determined upon his line
of conduct.
eve must have an explanation" he
said. LET us 60 into your Office"
The cashier obeyed without a word,
and his chief followed him, taking the
precaution to shut the door after them.
Nothing in the cashroom bore .evi-
dence OF the entrance Of burglars. Ev-
erything was in perfect order. Not
even a paper was misplaced. The safe
was open, and on the top shelf lay sew
eral rouleaus Of gold, overlooked or
d1sdained by the thieves. NJ. Fauvel,
without troubling himself to examine
anything, took a chair and ordered his
cashier to be seated. He had entirely
recovered his equanimity, and his coun-
tenance wore it's usual kind expression.
'Now that we are alone, Prosper"
he said, ''have you nothing to tell me?"
The cashier started, as if the ques-
ton surprised him. Nothing, mon
sieur, that I have not already told you.",.
what? Nothing? Do you persist in
asserting fable so absurd and ridicu-
lous that no one can possibly believe
it? 1t is folly! Confide in me. It: is
your only chance Of salvation. 1 am
your chief, it is true, but I am, above
all, your friend-your best and truest
friend. I cannot forget that here fif-
teen years ago you were intrusted to
me by your father, and ever since that
day have I had cause to congratulate
myself on possessing your faithful
service. Yes, it is fifteen years since
you came to me. was then just COM
mencing to build my fortune, and YOU
have seen it gradually grow step by
step from almost nothing to its present
size. AS my wealth increased / en-
deavored to better your condition, you
who, although SO young, are the Oldest
OF my clerks. At each inventory I in
creased your salary" &t
Never had Prosper heard his chief
express himself in so feeling and pater-
nal manner. Prosper was silent with
establishment
"'Answerv pursued M. Fauvel. s'Have
not ALWAYS hnnn lilo a fo %hor %< -, q