Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-01

imminent.
"Confound II all, boy" yelled the
merchant, what was to do when a
ragged loafer like you came In and
showed me a diamond worth thou
sand pounds and told me he had doz-
ems, hundreds. more like It? Did you
expect me to risk standing In the dock
by your side? Who could have given
fairer evidence in your behalf than l
did? Who proved that you could not
have stolen the stones? Whom have
you to thank for being at liberty now
but the expert who swore that no such
diamonds had been seen before in this
world?"
Philip waited until the mans passion
had exhausted itself. Then he went
on coolly:
"rhat is your point Of view, I sup
pose. Mine Is that you could have sat
ished yourself concerning all these
points without sending me to prison.
However, this discussion is beside the
present question. Will you buy my
diamondsT'
Isaacstein recovered his seat. He
wiped his face vigorously, but the
trading instinct conquered his fury.
eyes" he snapped. "iIow much do
you want for thcm?"
81 notice that their value steadily
Increases. The first time you saw mis-
diamond" and he held up the stone
originally exhibited-''you said 1t was
WORTH fG00 or 600. Today you name
n thousand. However. will take your
own valuation for this unimportant
collection and accept 10000"
ooh. you Will will Won? And how
will YOU have 1t. in notes or goldT
He could not help this display OF
cheap sarcasm. The situation was los
ing its annoyance. The hlmor of II
was beginning 10 dawn on him. When
his glance rested more critically on
Philip. the boys nga. the poverty OF
his circumstances the whole fantastic
! incongruity of thcs artnir forced his
recognition.
Not unpreparcd for such 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 n clock
| too. which licked solemnly over the
office door.
Here. what arc you DOING cried
! Isaa cstein.
! Going to some one who will dea
with me in a reasonable manner. 1t Is
! not very late yet. I suppose there are
plenty Of firms like yours in IIattor
Garden. or I can 60 back to Mr.. vii
SON
"Sit down. Sit down" growled thu
man, vainly striving to cloak hi- ner
vousness by show of grim jocosity
II never saw such a boy in my life
You nre touchy as gunpowder. I wa'
only Joking
Il am not joking, Mr.. Isaacstein
Your price is my price-f30. 900"
"Do yon think carry that amount o
| money in my pursc?" demanded Isaac
stein. striving desperately to think on
some means whereby he could get Phil
ip into more anna bic mood, when
perchance. the true story Of the gem
mis- ht be revealed.
NO" was the answer Even II yo'
gave IT to me I should not take !
away. want you to advance. say, TO
today. I require clothes and Othe
things Then tomorrow you can brin
me to Il bank and pay portion Of til
purchase price to my credit. giving m
at the same time a written promise I
pay the rema nder within week or
month, any reasonable period, in fact.
The diamond merchant was Quickl
becoming serious. methodical. as he lis
tened. This buslnesslike proposal wa
the one thing needed to restore his b,
wllderel faculties.
Tell me. boy" he said, "who ha
been advising you:'
mo one"
"Do you mean to say you came her
today to trade with Ire without col
sulting any other person."
II certainly told Mr.. Abingdon l wa
coming, and ! feel that I can Away
return to him for any advice II I am
q difficulty. but the offer have ju:
made is my own"
Watching Isaacstein's face was a
interesting operation to Philip. Undo
ordinary conditions he might rs we
expect to find emotion depicted in
pound OF butter as in that oily count
nance, with its set expression moldc
by years of sharp dealings. But toda
the man was startled out of all the Il
customed grooves of business. He W;
confronted with problem so nov
that his experience was not wiz
enough to embrace il.
So Philip caught n CLEAN Of resen
ment at the introduction of the magi
trate's name, and he instantly resolve
/ to see Mr.. Abingdon again at II
: earliest opportunity.
ooh, he treated you kindly toda
did hep snarled Isaacstein.
Eyes, most kindly"
"You don't drink, I suppose?" brol
5 In the other abruptly.
"No; ! am only boy of fifteen ar
do not need stimulants."
lie was favored with sharp CLAN
, at this remark, but he bent over h
@,.1z1Y71