The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-02-20
[orIglnaLl


money is to be spent on me. I'd need
both that and influence to get into
diplomacy. No; my father is deter
mined that shall go to America and
earn living as best can. Why won't
you SO with me?"
SILLY boy! You will find all you can
do there to support yourself without
being burdened By ME, Besides, father
would not consent No; you must so
into diplomacy
1T seems to me that your proposi-
ton is as silly as mine"
Not at all. Your father certainly
has influence sufficient to get you an
assistant seeretaryship or something
like that"
AT $500 year. What would that be
TO usg'
you might rise TO a better position"
When you and | are past middle
age. Thank you, don't propose to
wait for dead mems shoes
But the girl carried her point, and
Edgar Manross secured cerkshIp ii
the foreign office at salary Of 1850 a
year. Being young and attractive be-
sides the son Of baronet he was
pushed, but not in the way he wished
to be pushed. He was forced to do
social work If courtesy was to be
shown any person for any purpose. Ed
gar Manross was deputed to do It,
Now It was to drive some Turkish
pasha In Rotten row. now to show a
foreign messenger through Westmln-
eter abbey or the British museum Tir-
ing Of this he went to his chief and
asked for a trial at some real diplo-
matte work He was laughed at.
Going TO the Hon. Gladys. he poured
out his woes to her in a disconsolate
fashion. There is faculty possessed
by women-at least some women--that
is pleasing IL not valuable. When the
bottom drops out they can say hopeful
~ "Never mind 1t will all come out
right in the end" SO said Gladys, and
Edgar went away thinking what a
lovely little fool she was.
AT his rooms he found an order to at
tend dinner. representing the for
eign Office. 1t was not an important
function or he would not have been
sent. He went and found an assem-
blage consisting OF members OF parlia-
ment, secretaries Of legation and jun
Tor government officials. When the
speaking came on Edgar retired to a
cushioned window seat behind pair
of heavy curtains and went to sleep.
AS the evening wore on the assembly
was thinned by the departure Of the
more sober persons leaving only few
noisy ones. About O'Clock Edgar
woke up. Some one sitting near was
talking. Edgar knew by the voice and
the language spoken that he was a
member of the French embassy.
"He asks f4.0Oo0Oon
"Why doesn't your government pay |
It at once7'
at has offered f3.5o900o, but will |
raise the price rather than let the
shares go to any other power"
II should think SO. TO control the
only outlet by sea between Europe and |
Asia is worth many times the amount"
Soon after the speaker went away
Edgar Manross sat up andsdid prodi-
gious lot Of thinking 1t did not take
him long to deduce from the dialogue
he had heard that sale Of property
very important to England was about
to occur. Keeping between the cur
tains till he saw his exit would not
be noticed, then passing through the
few groups of remaining guests and
walters, the latter clearing away the
remains Of the feast he went out and
called a Ga5.
''To Lord DIS" he said to the cabby.
when he drove up to Lord DIS there
was not light to be seen Neverthe-
less he rang and finally pounded be-
fore the door was opened Then he
told the tunky who opened II that he
must see the prime minister at once.
He was refused till he said be had inn
portant diplomatic Information for his
lordship. Lord u. came down in dress
ing gown and slippers.
y have important information for
your lordshlp.s said Edgar 4 am a
clerk In the foreign Office or would
stipuate a price for IT. As It is, only !
ask that ] be given promotion
Lord p. yaWned and directed him TO
proceed.
THE khediye of Egypt is about to
sell his shares In the Suez canal.
"The deuce you say exclaimed the
starting up
.IIe is offered f3.50000o BY France.
lie is standing out for f4000000-"
The minister stood with mouth and
eyes wide open while Edgar told how
be he'd secured The information. Then
presently he said:
Have you cab at the door|
sYes."
Hold it while get on some clothes"
In ten minutes The two were whirl-
Ing TO the residence Of Baron Roths-
hid. whom they routed out. and before
be was permitted to retire again he
was pledged to furnish the money to
buy the khedlye's shares When the
morning train left for Dover Edgar
AIanross was on Il on his way to Egypt,
special envoy authorized to pay
a. 000. 900 for the property. or as much
more as would secure it.
A few days later it was known that
England owned the narrow strip Of
ana that comprised the khedive's
lain and serious complications had
,een avoided that must have occurred
lad It been transferred to France
Edgar Manross was given 100000
Or bis information and was appointed