Evening star., 1907-08-23
VIII-Continued.

power of attorney he was empowered to
stand in her stead, and that opened the
way to all sorts of questionable devices,
unless he was a man of the strictest IN
tegrity. 1 marveled at Mrs. Randolphs
business stupidity. And when l saw her
look at him with what seemed to me more
than mere confidence l felt a swift fire OF
jealousy Already I hated Courtney Lane
Those keen eyes. the rather sharp. firm
chin. the reposeful thin-lipped mouth. the
broad, daring forehead indicated man
who might be keen and resourceful cap
tain of industry, an adroit diplomat,
great gambler or plunger playing the
races and taking dangerous flyers in Wall
street. Withal he was a man to deceive an
inexperienced woman into thinking him
gentleman of stainless honor.
Instead of completing his sentence, he
produced small memorandum book and
some stubs of bank check books.
Everything recently done you will find
a note of here, Mr. Randolph"
He extended them to me and emphasized
the name.
Mrs Randolph arose and hovered at my
shoulder explaining, as l looked at these
vouchers of his integrity. A hasty ex-
amina ton showed me that checks had been
drawn for large sums, and that there had
been heavy purchases of what l fancied
were questionable stocks, together with
some losses.
"Why!" she exclaimed suddenly. in as
tonished perturbation. Il thought you told
me that the Python group would surely ad-
vance?'
Il thought so at the time he answered
II used my best judgment. If one could
foresee the exact movements of the market
for even a week he could write his check
with nine figures in less than that time"
Yet NOTED that he had been suddenly
confused. Perhaps he had thought she
would not see those figures, written small
at the bottom of one of the tiny pages.
But you will observe that Arizona Con-
solidated has gone above par he added
quickly. with the apparent purpose OF
soothing her fears or luiling her suspicious
Yes" she admitted. but 1 had only
few dozen shares of that. And these other
shares-Mr Lane, l didn't instruc- you TO
buy so many!
Her face had become pale.
Il used my Judgment, as you once told
me to- he urged blandly. Il also put.
good deal of my own money into them,
and while they are down now, I'm conf
dent they will catch the upswing soon and
pay handsomely in the long run. You Will
not regret their purchase. Mrs. Randolph.
But If you wish l can sell them. My ad-
vice is against it, though
His manner was again easy and natural.
He even had an elegant air, as of man
of leisure, as he sat there, leaning back In
his chair.
She took the book and looked over the
columns of small figures. pondering and
mentally calculating. l studied Lane, try
ing to fathom the mind behind that smooth
face The conviction that he was tricky,
and that in his position as agent and
financial adviser he had been trading on
Mrs. Randolph's ignorance to his own
financial betterment, became certainty to
me. when she said:
But / didn't instruct you Mr.. Lane, to
buy any of these shares, There was
heavy loss in them two months ago and
was ass essed.
For improyements-substa improve
ments" he explained. when those i'm
provements are completed the shares Will
quickly double in value"
She puckered her brows in bewilderment.
So convinced was I now of his swindling
that l wanted to take him by the throat
and hurl him through the window. But
had even a doubt of him risen in the mind
of Mrs Randolph? / knew it had not
when she looked at him, for the one accu-
sation which her look held concerned mere
ly the wisdom of his financial judgments.
His entire honesty she did not question.
She sat down with the books in her
hands. l saw his face harden in anticipa-
sentence, and l knew it was one Of the
things they had discussed before coming
to me.
And now about the power of attorney,
Mr.. Lane? / think it should terminate at
once, don't you, since the return OF my
husband?"
1t sent a thrill through me to have her
say my husband in that way, showing
culpability of my position again over
whelmed me.
TT can be attended to, If you desire it,"
he replied with bland courteOusness.
The smooth rascal intends to argue her
out of it later, thought l.
II wish it, she said I'VE will revoke
the power of attorney and get this admin
istrat!on matter wound up quietly. We
can trust you to do that, Mr.. Lane? You
will know how to manage 1t so that it can
be kept from the newspapers?'
Readily enough l think he assented.
Il will soon adjust these matters to your
satisfaction, Mrs Randolph. Tomorrow
shall be busy with a case before the su-
perior court. But this shall be attended to,
just as you wish it.
'Will it take long?"
Legal matters are proverbially SLOW,
he remarked quietly. Il will hurry it for
you as much as possible. If l can 1 will
talk to the judge of probate on the subject
of the Enthusiastically early in the morn
ing"
''But the power of attorney" she per-
sisted That surely needs no delay?"
"Oh, as to that" he said. as if he really
would be glad to be well rid of it, lit can
be done at once
"As soon as possible then" she said,
with relief. Draw up a revocation of the
power of attorney at once, please"
Very WE'LL" he answered calmly, and he
rose to go.
He extended his hand to me.
Mr. Randolph he said, with stress OF
emphasis on the name lit is a pleasure to
know you, as it has long been a pleasure
to me to know your charming wife. l shall
see you again soon, no doubt. These mat
ters will be attended to satisfactorily at as
early a date possible.
He released my hand and dropped the
memorandum and check books into his
pocket.
Your wifes summons was most unex-
pected but tomorrow or at some early
date l shall be pleased to make a full ex
hibit of all my financial transactions un-
dertaken in her behalf. l am glad to see
that you are looking So WELL Mr.. Ran
dolph."
Il hope we shall become better ac-
ouainted," / answered, with covert mean
ing.
He backed toward the door and went out
of the room followed by Mrs Randolph.
and again l heard them talking in low
tones Hot Indignation and impotent rage
consumed me. To compose myself l lighted
a cigar and began to walk about the room,
smoking furiously, but stopped. as had be-
come my custom, before that window.
From 1t l saw him descend to the street,
where his automobile, which had been
brought round again, was purrinG gently,
like big family cat; and l saw him leap
In, give an order to the chauffeur and dash
away. In that surveillance, it seemed to
me, l detected the hidden nervousness and
fright which he had so we'll concealed in