The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-14

Philip waited until the mans passion
had exhausted itself. Then be went
on coolly:
THAT is your point of view, sup
pose. Mine is that you could have sat
isfied yourself concerning all these
points without sending me to prison
However, this discussion is beside the
present question. Will you buy my
diamonds|'
Isaacstein recovered his seat. He
wiped his face vigorously, but the
trading instinct conquered his fury.
YES" he snapped. How much do
you want for them?"
Il notice that their value steadily
/ increases. The first time you saw this
diamond"-and he held up the stone
originally exhibited-'you said it was
worth 1900 or E700. Today you name
a thousand. However, l will take your
own valuation for this unimportant
collection and accept 100000"
"Oh, you will. will you? And how
will you have it, in notes or gpld?'
He could not help this display of
cheap sarcasm. The situation was los
ing its annoyance. The humOr of it
was beginning to dawn on him When
his glance rested more critically on
Philip, the boys age, the poverty of
/ his circumstances, the whole fantastic
incongruity of the affair forced his
recognition.
Not unprepared for such a retort.
Philip gathered the stones together
and twisted the ends of the paper
Evidently the parcel was going back
into his pocket. He glanced at a clock,
too, which licked solemnly over the
office door.
Here, what are you doing?" cried
Isaacstein.
Going to some one who will deal
with me in a reasonable manner. 1t Is
not very late yet. | suppose there are
plenty of firms like yours in Batton
Garden, or l can go back to Mr.. VIII
som
"Sit down Sit down." growled the
man, vainly striving to cloak his ner-
vousness by a show of grim jocosity.
Il never saw such boy in my life.
You are touchy as gunpowder. 1 was
only joking"
Il am not joking, Mr.. Isaacstein.
Your price is my price-f50, 600"
do you think l carry that amount of
money in my purse?" demanded Isaac
stein, striving desperately to think out
some means whereby he could get Phil
; ip into more amiable mood, when,
Berchance, the true story of the gems
might be revealed.
No" was the answer. Even if you
gave it to me / should not take it
away. 1 want you to advance, say. $50
today l require clothes and other
things. Then tomorrow you can bring
me to a bank and pay a portion of the
purchase price to my credit, giving me
at the same time a written promise to
pay the remainder within a week or a
/ month. any reasonable period, in fact"
The diamond merchant was quickly
becoming serious, methodical, as he lis
: fened. This businesslike proposal wa
the one thing needed to restore his be
wildered faculties.
Tell me, boy" he said, ''who ha
s been advising you"
s NO one"
DO you mean to say you came her
! today TO trade with me without cor
sulting any other person."
Il certainly. told Mr.. Abingdon 1 wa
3 coming. and 1 feel that 1 can alway
d return to him for any advice if am i
/ difficulty, but the offer l have jus
3 made is my own"
i Watching IsaacStein'S face was a
4 interesting operation to Philip. Unde
ordinary conditions he might as we
3 expect to find emotion depicted in
& pound OF butter as in that oily count'
nance. with its set expression molde
IS by years of sharp dealings. But toda
4 the man was startled out of all the a.
customed grooves of business. He We
I confronted with a problem so nov
s that his experience was not vic
enough to embrace it.
So Philip caught q CLEAN Of resen
q ment at the introduction of the magi
trate's name. and he instantly resolve
to see Mr. Abingdon again at Il
earliest opportunity.
Z "Oh, he treated yau kindly toda
did he?" snarled Isaacstein.
I Eyes, most kindly"
"You don't drink. I suppose?" brol
in the other abruptly.
'No; l am only boy Of fifteen ar
do not need stimulantS.
He was favored with a sharp glan'
at this remark, but he bent over b
= diamonds again and began to examn
them one by one. He knew that Il
- action was tantalizing TO his compa
ion and that Is why he Gid it
ISaacstein went TO a sideboaTu al
! poured out a stiff glass of brandy. /
swallowed it as an ordinary perst
takes an oyster.
{ That's better" he said. returning
his desk. Now we can get TO clio
quarters. Hand over the stones.
Philip did nothing of the sort