The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-10-06

t1$SeS6Sy RYE was there dQedu OF MIN.
02EEf2O Il was out with young Ma
son last evening"" he explained as the
old lawyer babe him a rather crusty
good morning, "and I oversight"
ooh, that is all right" responded
Frye in an instantaneously sweetened
tone. Il am glad you were, and, as
told you, you are wise to cultivate
him. I suppose" he continued, with a
leer, shat you were buying wine for
some of the gay girls?'
Page looked confused. "Well, we
went'to the theater and after that had
a late supper" he explained, land it
las after l before I returned to my
,OOm."
II don't care how late you are out
or what you did," said Frye, still ey-
ing Page, $50 long as you were with
young Mason and kept out of the lock-
up. His father pays me salary to
look after his business, and his son is
the pride Of his heart I trust you
understand my meaning. If you don't
feel like work this morning." he con-
tinued suavely, mount your wheel
and take a run out to Winchester and
see if that mortgage on the Seaver
estate has been satisfied. The exercise
and air will do you good"
Page was nonplused.
''He has some deep laid plot in his
mind" he thought as he looked at
Frye. He was glad to escape the Office,
however, for his head felt full Of bees,
and, thanking his employer for the
permission, he quickly left the city be-
hind him. The crisp October air and
exercise soon drove away some Of the
self reproaches at his own foolish con-
duct Of the night before.
The errand at Winchester was at
tended to, and then he headed back for
the city, taking another course BY
the time he reached town he was faint
from hunger, for he had eaten no
breakfast. A good dinner restored him
to his natural self possession, and then
he went to the office
For a week he reproached himself
every time he thought how much his
escapade had cost and felt too ashamed
to answer Alice's letter. When he did
he assured that innocent sister that he
was saving all he could and should
send more money as soon as possible.
Frank called twice and the second time
urged him to join the club, to which
Page assented.
1T will serve as place to spend q
lonesome evening"" he thought
Several times Frye had made casual
inquiries as to the progress Of his in
timacy with young Mason, all Of which
led Page to wonder what his object
was and why it concerned him. At
last, one day at closing time and after
he had told the Office boy he might go,
Frye let little light into that enigma.
"Sit down moment, Mr.. Page" he
remarked as the latter was preparing
to leave. Il have a proposition of an
important nature to make to you"
And then as he fixed his merciless eyes
on his clerk and began to slowly rub
his hands together he continued: "You
have been nearly three months in nv
Y employ, Mr.. Page, and have fulfilled
Jour duties satisfactorily. think the
time has come when I may safely en-
large them a little. AS I told you,
John Mason pays me yearly retainer
TO attend to all his law business. I
have reason to feel he is not entirely
satisfied to continue that arrangement,
and am forced to find some way to
bring a little pressure to bear on him
in order that he may see it is for his
interest to still retain me-
snow, believe John Mason is not en-
tirely happy in his home relations and
that a certain young lady receives a
share Of his attentions While they are
never seen in public together, gossip
links their names. What I want is for
you to find out through your acquaint-
ance with the Nasons just what bond
there is between the elder Mason and
the young lady and report to me-. do
not intend to use the knowledge for
any illegal purpose, but merely as a
leverage to retain Nason's business. l
am aware that to prosecute your in
quiries discreetly by means of your in
timacy with young Mason will require