Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-05

chrp for the ladies and playful pat for
| the meni
"Ah, you men of affairs!' he now said
| brisky to Richard Strong. You haven t
even time for honeymoon Mr.. Strong 8
face remained impressive. But day be-
fore yesterday you were paying homage be-
fore the hymeneal altar, and today you
| are worshiping the Golden Calf. Ha-ha!
! You see am talking to you as II you were
already one of my parishicners. We hope
10 claim you soon, however, through your
wife, who has long been one of our MEM
| bers BY the by, what church do you be-
| long to. Mr. Strong2''
| Il contribute toward the support of Mr..
Beechers tabernacle answered that gen.
tleman briefly
The Reverend Doctor Clement coughed
| His expression was not exactly one of dis
| arrangement or diSa pproval; It was vague,
uncertain, not susceptible of analysis: the
attitude of conservatism toward those
| churches without the exact boundaries Of a
| single creed.
| 1T Is true we are a small congregation"
| he continued, but a very cozy one. How
ever. my call Is not pastoral or ministerial
! but. l fear. of mundane nature"
! How can l serve you, sir?" asked the
+; other.
!. You are the president of the D. B. and
/ e railroad Mr.. Strong. I dropped in to
learn about you and a little stock that I
hold--a very little! In answer to my in
| curry when you would return your clerk
| informed me you were already here. I'm
| me to sell, or buy, or. In the vernacular of
the street, to stand patti" The gayety Of
his manner was succeeded by momentary
earneStness; q trace of worry or anxiety
i peeped out of his eyes. There are some
| sad rumors going around about It," he said
shaking is head. Sad rumors."
| DO you believe them?' asked Richard
! Strong, bluntly.
! me caller colored little. at Is not
Tor me to believe or disbelieve." he replied.
You have your own code of-what shall 1
| call ft?-ethics, on the street"
| Then you believe them" said the other
A look of real distress appeared on the
| Rev Mr.. Clements face My dear Mr..
strong! he exclaimed. and placed an ex-
| panions shoulder
I do not see how 1 can help you very
! much' Doctor Clement" returned Richard
| Strong, shortly. IF you credit what you
| near, the stock is sale. If all that they
say be true. 1t is not worth the present
| quotation
| That this answer was not as definite as
| the caller had hoped for was evident from
| the expression on his countenance. But
| Dr. Clement prided himself on being an
| astute observer of men and motives and
| gradually the perplexity in his eyes gave
| way to a CLEAN of enlightenment
| Thanks; thanks very much.' said the
revened gentleman, and pressing the hand
| of the other warmly once more he turned
| to go. AT the door his face recovered it's
| livelinesS.
Don't forget" he exclaimed 1--WE expect
! Mrs: Strong to draw you into our little cir
! cle.''
Richard Strong gazed out of the window
| when his caller had departed He took
what l said to mean 1t would be better to
+ dispose of his stock" he thought and his
| brow grew darker as he looked down the
| street
At that moment 1t CHANGED that two men.
| who were passing on the other side, glanced
| up OF one accord and saw him standing
there
rayo
| two. Richard Strong has come backr'
The elder man became a trife more yell
low; he was wiping his glasses nervously.
Are you sure, Jim, that was Strongg'
Aren't your the reply why
your glasses fell off your nose from the
start he gave YOU He must have noticed
you. too added Fisk. for his face wore
| an expression the reverse of heavenly"
By that time Uncle Sam'l had readjusted
| his glasses.
Il hadn't looked for him this morning
| IN fact today he began nervously.
| And now he's here you begin to wonder
| If he will send you where the woodbine
| twineth!' laughed the other
! Brewster's eyes cleaned with sudden an
| ger and suspicion.
Are you going to change Your coat?" he
| said, fixing his ferret eyes on his compan-
| ion.
Not unless I find myself an ass in
! as they moved on.
| Preoccupied though he was. Richard
Strong had indeed seen his old enemy. and
regarded him steadily for moment he
| fore returning to his desk.
In the interim of waiting for develop
| ments on change, he fixed his attention
upon other matters; proposition IN min
| Ing; the prospectus of an oil company in
| the early throes of organization The first
| he dropped in a waste paper basket: the
other he filed in one of the numerous pig
| con holes of his desk, after which he be-
| gan opening his neglected mail sorting out
! lowed the mining propositions; the former
was spread out mechanically and placed
at MS right hand Although he had been
away only two days, his lettafs had ac-
! cumulated until the reading and answering
| OF them became a formidable task Many
were from alarmed bondhodars or people
who carried stock: these he placed in
| little bundle by themselves, and reach
| ing for the bell, touched it.
Answer these letters" he said when
| the chief clerk had responded 10 the sum
mons These persons must receive COPIES
| of the reports being made"
| Tim silently took the parcel Still he lin
| gered. Mr.. Strong glanced at him sharply
! There's young gentleman outside who
would like to speak with you, SIR" said
| the clerk. hesitatingly
An expression of annoyance shone from
! the others eyes.
Il told him you were very busy went
/ on Taplin. hastily. but he insisted upon
! my taking In his card. and here 1t Is, sir!''
Mr. Charles Dalton" read Richard
Strong, surveying the bit of pasteboard
| For some time he continued to regard Il.
| Tim folded his arms. a mild intimation
that even clerical patience has it's limits
What had come over his employer that he
| should thus ponder over so small a mat
! ter? The caller might have been received
and dismissed in half the time already
i consumed in considering whether he
1 should be admitted or not The clerk shook
/ his head. He had always been persis-
tent If not deep observer of the man he
! served and was now convinced something
! was wrong-somethng beyond stocks!
| What shall say to the gentleman" he
| finally ventured.
| Mr.. Strong started. and threw the card.
with an impatient gesture. upon the table.
81 cannot him now"
| Go be continued tomorrow