The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-06-06
CHAPTER X.

Mr.. Wylie's place of business did not
sie in the city, but some distance west of
Temple Bar In a retired street, against
the door post of tall. dingy brick house,
was inscribed the legend, James Wylie,
General Agent, LIST Floor"
At u O'Clock on the second morning
after the ball, Mr.. Wylie was seated at
his desk, looking through his multifarious
corresponding and making brief notes
in a pocketbook. In the midst of
this occupation he was interrupted by the
entrance of a taciturn clerk, who stood
silently just inside the doorway, until
his master should address him.
"Wen, Mr.. Fig?" said Wylie, raising
his head.
Mrs. Castleton !" enunciated the clerk,
In dry, thin voice, that sounded like the
cracking of parchment.
"Show her in"
The next moment a lady, all black vel
vet, sealskin and lace, entered the room.
Her age could not have been more than
twenty Her figure was fragile as a
sylph; purely black hair, drawn back
from the face, falling in showers of ring
lets at the back of the head, contrasted
nnelv Will d Shlu Muilc dS hidlDtSf anu
with the delicate flush upon the cheek,
which owed something to art. The fea-
lures were exquisitely delicate and perfect
low forehead small nose, mouth like
q rosebud, and violet eyes that could gilt
ter or blaze, laugh or languish. But it
was the wonderful nobility of the features
that constituted their greatest charm ;
their expressions were as shifting and va
rious as those of the atmosphere upon an
April morning.
wheel me that easy chair to the win
dow, Fig" she cried, in a languid tone.
'Do you ever ventilate this place? How
you can endure such an atmosphere of
must and dry rot l cannot imagine.
Mr.. Figs parchment face never moved
a muscle, but Mr.. Wylie grinned his ny
ena laugh, and tried to gnaw fragment
off his fore finger nail.
1--WE will see what can be done for you
In the way of fresh air by the next time
Won come" he answered with a sneer.
@'Rut had we not better defer this sani-
Sary discussion to another day, as we have
some business to talk over, and l am
much engaged just now. Fig, we shall
not require you just at present"
.'Well, why have you sent for me? Tell
ms as briefly as possible, that l may
get away from this poisonous hole before
I am ILL.," She took a bottle of eau de
cologne from her pocket, and sprinkled
her dress, and threw it about her with an
air of inefable disgust.
"Tbere was a time, Mrs. Castleton, that
this place was not so unsavory In your
nostrils-that was before your taste be-
came so exquisitely refined" said Wylie,
with an unpleasant look.
THAT was in my green days, when
thought you were gentleman, and 1 was
not so sensible of the moral atmosphere of
che place" she answered, carelessly.
HAD we not better leave morality out
of our discussion?" retorted Mr.. Wylie.
Decidedly; on the principle that it Is
I'll bred to talk Of the gallows to the rela-
tiqAns of man who has been hanged. But
before we proceed farther in our interest
ing conversation, l may as well inform
you that l want money"
Then you must sell out more stock
old Castleton's money will soon melt away
at this rate. Lightly come, lightly 60"
what do you mean, James Wylie r
she said, starting up with eyes all ahame.
Beware how you insult me, or | will
horsewhip you like cur as you are. You
may we'll say lightly go when the money
Is in your hands. 1 know you are rob
bling me-
"Robbing you ~ he cried. How dare
you? You can employ lawyer to ex-
anime into your accounts, or | will re-
liqquisb the care of your property into the
h5nds of any person you may appoint. l
shall only be too glad to wash my hands
~ 1t. but will not be insultedP !"