Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-12-21
Continued.

combe. There are not too many men
who are willing to work for you for
nothing. suppose he has come about
those mines?"
Il suppose So | will go and see"
Ralph Duncombe had been friend
Of Lady Eleanor's father. The late
earl had been fond of dabbing In the
city, and had met the successful
young merchant there and found him
extremely useful. It had been chiefly
owing to Ralph Duncombe's advice
and counsel that the late earl had
made the fifty thousand pounds which
he had left to Lady Eleanor. He had
done nothing for some years before
his death without consulting the keen
man OF business, and Lady Eleanor
had followed her fathers example.
She would not have been partic-
uarly rich woman with nifty thousand
at three per cent, but Ralph Dun
combe had invested II for her in such
n way that It had brought In some
times ten and fifteen He had bought
shares and sold them again at n big
profit; had dealt with the money as II
II had been hls own, and had been as
lucky with 1t. The greatest and lat
est piece Of good fortune had only
Just turned up He had purchased
some land on the coast, calculating to
dispose OF II to n building company,
but while negotiating with them had
discovered traces of copper, and It
was on tho cards that he had, by one
of those nukes which seemed to come
so often to Ralph Duncombe found
large fortune for her.
How do you do, Mr.. Duncombe ?"
she said. What n shame that you
should have come oil the way from
the city,"
1T does not take long by tho Under.
ground" he said, in his grave voice
as he shook hands; and have some
important news for you"
"Yes?" she said, and she motioned
him to chair.
AS he sat down, she noticed that he
looked graver than usual, and there
was q tired and rather sad expression
in his eyes.
is 1t bad news?" she asked.
"Bad?" he looked at her with great
surprise.
Il thought you looked graver than
ordinary, and rather disappointed,
she explained.
we business men seldom look
olnted. Money-malilng is not an ex.
hilarating pursuit, Lauy Eleanor"
u should have thought otherwise,
she said, "znt | don't know much
about It. only know that It Is very
kind Of you to take so much trouble
over my affairs"
Not at all; 1t comes natural to
me" he said, with n slight smile. Il
was your fathers advlser--if | may
put II so--for so long and so intimate.
ly that II seems marter or course
that | should continue to be his daugh.
tcr's, But about this copper, Lady
Eleanor We were not mistaken; the
indications are particularly distinct,
and there Is every reason to believe
that the land contains vast guam
tity."
"Yes?" she said. "That Is good
news. | suppose IL will make me
very rich?"
Yes, immensely so. The thing to
decide now Ia how to work Il. !
have plan which ! should like YOU TO
consider" and he went on TO explain
to her.
II leave 1t all to you" she said,
when he had finished. Il suppose YOU
will think that 1t Is very cool of me;
hut | don't know what else | can do.
that is--if you will undertake this
business for me"
Il will do SO, and NOT altogether
dlsinterestedly, for | shall ASK your
permission to take some shares In
the company.
why, yes--or course" she said at
once Il consider that It belongs as
to mo; you found It."
Scarcely that" he said. But |
shall have an interest In It, We
shall get to work ut once, and think
] may say positively That YOU VIII be,
as you put II, very rich before many
months are over"
Very rich?" she murmured,
THANK YOU"
1t was rather n strange way of nc.
coptlng the information, but she was
thinking how little use the money
would be If q CERTAIN person refused
TO share II with her.
You will stay to lunch?" she said
Thank you, Lady Eleanor, not this
morning. have TO attend ward
meeting, and shall be late as 1t Is.
Il am sorry"
She gave him her hand, and as ht
held ii, she said, as IL at sudden
thought:
I'D you--did you get those bills
asked you about?"
Il know very little about such per
sons, Lady Eleanor" he said gravely
80 -.