Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-17
CHATTER XI.


Some time after New Years Nilus
hs busy entertaining an eastern cap
,list by the name of Frederick
erivale. Just why it did so. perhaps,
lus would have been puzzled to eN-
ain if an explanation had been
ked: for nobody seemed TO know
Q object of his visit or in what way
this winning and dining could assist
e prospects of the city. But Nilus
rs naturally hospitable and when
r. Merivale'S presence was made
Down it was surmiscd in a genera
~ that he was seeking an outlet
r eastern capital. Perhaps he might
induced to take up an important
ilroad project that had been aban-
Pncd for lack of funds. and which
build open up a splendid new terri
ry to the trade of Nilus. Or perha Us
was looking for a place 10 cStab-
h manufactures of some kind, and
lus had well-deiined idea that
thout manufactures she could
Yer hope To be great city. But
,atever Mr.. Merivale's projects were
kept them largely to himself.
bme of the wealthy cotton men may
We been in his confidence: the assid-
ty of their attentions to him fa-
pred this idea; but nothing definite
NJ into the papers except the fact
|at Mr.. MeriValc had been enter
ined by the clihs and banqueted
some of the business men.
Merivale was the sensation of the
Y, and the appetizing odor of myS-
ry that chung about him added to
g interest which his visit had ex-
ted.
\ It there was absolutely nothing
teresting in the mans personality
;cept the fact that he permitted no
he TO understand him. That which
unintelligible seldom fails to awak-
an interest. and il was so wit h
redcrick Merivalc. In appearance
was anything but remarkable. He
as cold and dull-lool;ing. with a
Hhy eye. a neatly trimmed beard, a
lshcd face. and sparse hair on the
p of his head. IlAr yellowish brown
lard was parted with great pre-
sion. His manners were nice hut
BIT atfabIc. He seldom laughed. and
hen he did the intention was not
rthful.
People knew that this man had
|ade a great deal of money, but they
build not guess how. His manner
ave no indication whatever of his
Pethods. and there was no way to
ftermine the process of his thoughts
rom his conversation. which was dry
+ parChmcnt. MeriVale had very lit
Q TO say, and what he did say was
pt worth remembering either for its
rilliancy. its depth or its spicuity.
mt whatever may have been his de-
cicncies in the conversational line.
here could he no doubt that he was
gourmet of marked ability. and
nat he gave his tailor carte blanche.
Every detail of his toilet was care
IIlly considered. and he would have
cen pronounced = well-dresscd man
p the most fashionable city Of
hrstendom
Nllus knew there was something
Merivale. even though she could
ot define it. brcau,e he had been
noWn To squeeze Wall street pretty
ard several times to his own profit
nd glory; and il is hardly necessary
o say that the man who i. a sue
ess, but does not disclose his secret
Possesses "A charm for the curious
hat no merely fortunate man could
ave.
Naturally, Irving Wardc. as n wide
wake newspaper man, was Interested
n finding out the object of Meri,ale's
iisit, and soon after his arrival Sc.
ured an Introduction. As member
! t some of the leading clubs of tn,
lily. he cOntrivcd to see great deaI
If Merivale. and though he mad,
+everal adroit attempts to learn from
i'm the business which brought hin
O the city, he found himself baiilet
every point by that apparently
ense and unsuspecting person, Their
e turned his attention to the rich
bottom men who were most frequently
Mer1vale's society. but they were
Evidently as much in the dark as
rving, although they assumed an all
pf mystery and pretended to be in the
secret Irving was not deceived by
ne show Of mystery, however, anc
ne dropped his invest igations in thi,
inc.
lhere was one person in the cit,