The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-08-19
A YARD OF PEARLS.

Mr.. Bramton, banker and diamond
merchant, wiped his glasses and sat
back in the comfortable chair of his
private office, dismissing the whole
matter with a wave of his hand.
eyes, yes. I am perfectly willing to
acknowledge that you are hard-work-
ing, honorable and trustworthy ;
surely have proved that by taking
you so completely into my confidence
in business matters. But that is not
sufficient the man who marries my
daughter must have shown some
striking evidence of business acumen
before I give my consent"
Eric Wilmanton, his confidential
secretary, also tried to forget the mat
ter, temporarily, but with less success.
"He's such self willed old gentle
man," he sighed to himself, "that if
he weren't Doris father 1 should
call him a stubborn old fool" This
theoretical train of thought was brok-
en- by the entrance of a clerk with a
card. He took it. "Mr. Wilfred
Norton Harrington to see you," he
said. ''I don't think he's client of
ours?"
Harrington, Harrington" muir
INJURED his employer. II don't recol-
lect the name. Oh, yes, though, I
fancy he must be the son of that
wealthy old Harrington of San Fran
cisco, who died a couple of months
ago. I heard that the young man
was going to settle in New York.
Send him in," he added to the clerk.
The latter retired and presently ad-
mitted a tall, clean-shaven man of
about 40, dressed in top hat and
fashionably cut frock coat, which did
not seem to fit him.
"Mr. Brampton, I believe, I should
like to transact some private business
with you, if you can spare the time, ="
said the stranger.
"My secretary is entirely in my
confidence" answered Mr.. Bramp-
ton; Gin fact I depend on him good
deal, so you may speak quite freely"
Mr.. Harrington sat down and plac-
ed red morocco jewel case on the
table. "I have no doubt you know
of my fathers death some two months
ago, and also that I have purchased
No. 8 Fifth avenue. have my
affairs pretty we'll settled now, but in
looking over the jewelry left by my
father 1 find that there are several
things which 1 don't care to keep.
Pearls, for instance, my wife has a
superstitious horror Of. She refuses
to wear them and it would be ridicu-
lous to keep them locked up in the
safe." He paused for woment and
took from the case magnificent rope
of graduated pearls. "Here is a
string of IFS pearls that am willing
to dispose Of"
The other two bent over them with
interest /; they were indeed a hand
some set.
II think remember being notified
that your father was collecting these,
some five years ago. I sent him a
few on approval, I fancy" said Mr..
Brampton, at last, jotting down a
conservative estimate of $45, 900 on a
writing pad, which he dropped in a
drawer where his secretary could see
the figures.
The latter took it, wrote $50, 900
beneath and returned it.
II have as many pearls now as ]
care to handle" the banker went on,
"but if you will put price on these
I will see if we can make deal. "
my wife insists so strongly on my
disposing of them that have decided
to let them go at price considerably
below their value, $35, ,ooo."
The other two looked at each other
1T is not matter to be decided off
hand" said Mr.. Brampton, "but il
you will give me time for considera'
ton think we can come to an agree
ment."
eff a few hours would be sufl'
cient," suggested Harrington, 81
should be we'll pleased if you would
dine with us and we can settle the
matter this evening"
"This is excellent" replied the
banker, as the visitor rose. "Good
day."
II suppose you would like to tele
graph to San Francisco to make sure
that everything is all right" sait
Eric when the door was closed.
eyes. I'll wire the Pacific banl
as a matter of form, but, of course
his receiving me in his own house
will be really sufficient. Everyone
knows he's bought Fifth avenue
Mr.. Brampton wrote and dispatched
the message Immediately.
A satisfactory reply arrived befor'
they left the office. Mr.. Harrington
had removed a considerable amoun
of iewelry from that very bank to hi
New York house about fortnigh
before.
eff can conclude this purchase sat
isfactorily it will mean a considerabl
turn over" said the banker, as b
left the Office. "You lack real busi
ness instincts, Wilmanton, in bein
too cautious. 1 know you didn't hk
this mans appearance, and you woul
have let the matter go, very likely.
"I shall be anxious to hear wha
kind of an understanding you com
to this evening"" said Eric.
At 10 o'clock next morning Mi
Brampton arrived at the Office in a
excellent frame of mind. II hav
bought the pearls for $35, ,ooo," b
said, as he hung up his hat. "Thos
Harringtons are charming persons
Of course, I was the only guest,
! AL.ax, ara cti1I IN mourning -