Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-09-01
CHAPTER I.

Wainwright, tnancier, topped
the ridge overlooking the water
L In Il climax Of architectural hid
eousness and extravagant cost. The
grounds Of Charles Wainwright. tinan-
cier, stretched out into countless acres
Of landscape gardening. The whole es-
tate Of Charles Wainwright, 6nancier,
eclipsed those of his neighbors in the
fashionable suburb, even as the name
Of Charles Wainwright, financier,
eclipsed almost every other in the city
world where money ruled as undis-
puted and absolute monarch.
Even when he turned from the bus
tie of city and fellow money builders
and sought for space the simple life
on his $2,5OOOO0 country place. with
its modest equipment Of forty-one serv-
ants, Mr.. Wainwright so far carried
into the wilds the atmosphere Of busi-
ness and the burden Of other mems
wealth as to have very complete lit
tie stockbroker room fitted up adjoin.
ing his big library and to keep a man
night and day at his private wire.
Charles Wainwright, financier, was
bachelor. No obese or statuesque wife
carried about with her portable ad-
vertisement Of his wealth in the shape
of fabulously valuable jewels or made
his name renowned in opera box. New
port casino or Lenox cottage. His only
brother had died years before, leaving
a mere beggarly million dollars or 80
and two children to divide it. These
children - Dallas, strikingly pretty
and still more strikingly independent
girl Of twenty-four. and Perry, de-
lightfully lazy, lovable lad OF twenty
one-lived with their uncle. who man.
aged their affairs, let them 60 pretty
much as they chose and-as they were
more or less ornamental and enter
tanning and decidedly popular - was
rather fond Of them.
The trio had passed pleasant, un-
eventful month at the big house on the
hill early in the summer Of 10, when
a day dawned whereon fate booked
number of decidedly interesting fateful
happenings to occur.
Wainwright himself was up betimes
and at work in his library, poring over
market reports, cipher kilograms and q
dozen other details Of deals which his
simple life cult did not prevent him
from operating at long range. With
him was his secretary. Thompson. a
pallid. earnest looking young fellow.
whose unobtrusive efficiency had long
since won the financiers admiration.
This morning affairs In the financial
world had gone more than ordinarily
to Mr.. Wainwright's liking. Moreover.
a paragraph in one of the city papers
that had caught his eyes had set his
lean gray face to twitching with as
near an approach to u smile as the
great man ever permitted Altogether
he was in an unwontedly genial mood.
and some Of his good nature so far ex-
panded as to include his busy secre
tary.
Thompson" he remarked as the last
batch of correspondence was cleared
away. you're looking pale. Do work
you too hard?"
mo. indeed. SIR" replied the secre-
tary. with promptitude that had
something almost slavish in 1t.
"Feeling all right?' went on VAIN
wright "You need more exercise. Why
don't you get out Of doors oftener?"
"rhe work. SIR
Get another man to help you do the
telegraph part of it, then. r.
"rhank you. sir. You are very kind
indeed: but. If It's just the same to you,
I'd rather handle it all myself. | hope
the works perfectly satisfactory. sir?"
Perfectly. Thompson. You're the
only employee have who seems to
love work for works sake. Seen any
thing of Mr. Gibbs this morning?"
"No. sir. don't believe he's up yet.
Coming by such late train last night.
you know. sir. and
81 was up as late as he was. and
was at work by 8. But when man
takes his first holiday In six years, as
he is doing. | suppose oversleeping Is
part OF the fun There's man to pat
tern yourself after. Thompson! I re-
member when he started out he hadn't
a penny nothing but the resolve to
get money and then to get more Of 1t.
And now look at him! At thirty-tive
he's the head Of one Of the busiest
brokerage houses in"-
Good morning. broke In voice
from the foot of the broad stairway
across the hail. Sorry to be so late.
Do you know how the market is?'
Its opened even stronger than l.
hoped" said Wainwright Take
look at these dispatches and see for
yourself Had your breakfast"
"Yes. thanks" answered the new.
conner. well groomed. stockily built
man. lounging into the rooms. with
nod at Thompson. who discreetly
Withdrew into the adjoining Office.
Seems queer to have whole day
away from the Office. hardly know
what to do with so much spare time"
"It's the everyday hard work that's
put you where you are today, Gibbs,