Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-06

their new cottage. When he Went east,
Saxton settled down at his club in Bos-
ton, and pretended that 1t was good to be
at home again; but he went about with
inconsistencies gnawfng his heart. he had
reason to be happy and satisfied with him
self. He had practically concluded the df-
ficult work which he had been sent to
Clarkson to do; he had realized more money
from their assets than the officers of the
trust company had expected; and they held
cut to him the promise of employment IN
their Boston office as a reward. So he
walked the familiar streets planning his
future anew. He had succeeded in some-
thing at last, and he would stay in Boston,
having, he told himself, earned the right to
live there. The assistant secretaryship OF
the trust company, which had been men
toned to him, would be position OF dig
nifty and promise. He had never hoped to
do 30 we'll. Moreover, 1t would be pleasant
to be near his sister. who lived at Worces-
ter. There were only the two Of them, and
they ought to live near together.
1t Is, however, an unpleasant habit OF the
fates never to suffer US to debate simple
problems long; they must throw in new
elements to puzzle us. While he deferred
going to Orchard Lane a new perplexity
confronted him. One of Margraves "peo-
ple' came from New York as the represen-
tative Of the syndicate that had purchased
the Clarkson Traction Company, and
sought an interview. John had met this
gentleman at the time the sale was closed;
he was a person OF consequence In the
point of his errand. He offered John the
position of general manager of the COM
pany.
Margrave, it appeared, was not to have
full swing after all He was to be presi-
dent, but Johns visitor intimated broadly
that the position was to be largely honor
airy. They had looked into the matter thor
oughly in New York and were anxious that
the policy and methods of the receivership
should continue. Mr.. Margrave was an in
valuable man. said the New Yorker, but his
duties with the railroad company had so
multiplied that he would be unable to give
management John should have alb
solute authority. The syndicate would
be greatly disappointed II he de-
clined. salary was named which
receiving in any occupation; and they wish
ed an answer within few days. John
Saxton was human and 1t was not easy to
decline salary Of $4,000 for services which
he knew he could perform, offered to him
by a gentleman whom people were not in
the habit of refusing. He remained indoors
at the club all day. smoking many pipes In
a fruitless effort to reconcile his resolves
with his new problems
The next day he thought he saw 1t all
more clearly. Perhaps, he reflected. life in
Boston would become ,endurable; there was
his sister to consider and ne owed some .
out and walked aimlessly through the hot
streets, little needing what he did. He
realized presently that he had gone into q
railway office and asked for suburban
time table, He carried this back to the
club, where the atmosphere OF his cool,
quiet room soothed him, and he lay down
on couch and studied the list Of Orchard
Lane trains He found that he could run
out almost any hoiir OF the day. He slept
and woke refreshed. with the time table
still grasped in his hand. He had been very
foolish he concluded: 1t would be q simple
matter to go out TO- Orchard Lane to call
on the Porters and Whipples. and he picked
out one Of the Afternoon trains and marked
1t on the folder with a lead pencil. lie
spent the evening writing letters-in par
ticular letter to the representative of the
Clarkson traction syndicate, declining the
general managership; and the next after
carried the letter sealed and stamped in
his pocket, as a kind Of talismau that would
assure his safety.
It suited his righteous mood that he
should find no one at home at Red Gables
but Mr. Porter, who played golf all the
morning and slept and experimental at
landscape gardening all the afternoon. He
welcomed John with unwonted cordiality,
in the inexplicable way people have of boz
ing frfendlier with fellOw-townsman
away from their common habitat than at
home. He led the way to q cool and coy
corner of the broad veranda, where Japa.
afternoon sea shimmered beyond the trees;
the lawn was tended with urban care. Por-
ter was very proud of the place and listened
with approval to Johns praise Of It.
well, sir it's cooler than GARRISON"
"a trifie, yes; the efforts of the Clarkson
papers to make a summer resort OF the
town were neyer.Yery successful" Johns