Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-05-23
CHAPTER XIV.

Inc ficomte de fallar was seated alone
In his private room in the Office Of the
Mutual Credit and Trust Company. 1t
was a luxuriously furnished apartment.
The chairs were deep, rocmy and soft.
They seemed made on purpose to hull one
into feelings of security. 1t was about
ten o'clock in the morning. The viccmte's
private secretary had just retired loaded
down with papers and instructions. His
employer sat at the table, pile Of docu-
ments on either side, and before him
single sheet, upon which an astonishing
array Of figures appeared
Minute after minute passed, and still
the calculations went on. At last he threw
down his pencil, and walked over to the
window. Partly concealed by the cur
tains, he look ed out on the throng Of PEG
pie which passed up and down the street.
But he hardly noticed anybody. He was
really lost In his reflections.
He had, indeed, good reason to be
thoughtful. A gigantic scheme, the float
ing Of which would insure him very large
returns, had that very morning been put
by him before a syndicate of capitalists
1t was no less one than the consolida-
ton Of the docking interests Of great
French seaport. The plan was to bring
all the owners together and fern trust
on what ia known as the American plan,
and then raise the dock tolls. With the
existing keen competition and the low
charges resulting theyefrsm, that property
at present yielded but q small return for
the capital invested.
The idea was brilliant one. 1t would
net the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany, II successful, three million francs,
and the Mutual Credit and Trust Com
pany virtually meant the Vicomte de Va
liar. he had already enlisted considera-
BILE financial aid In support of the scheme
He was that morning expecting an addi-
ton to his forces in the person Of M.
D'Auburen, the friend Of that very useful
NJ. Chabot, who had introduced him to
the vicomte but 4 few days previously.
To sell this young man big block OF
shares in the new enterprise, would, the
vicomte thought, not be very difficult
task He had entertained him at his
house only an evening or two ago. The
splendor OF that occasion could not have
failed to properly impress him.
Then his wife, the vicomtssse, had &c
ably seconded his efforts to make D'Au-
huron feel that he was in good hands. She
had talked Elibly Of their country place, q
magnificent establishment on the outskirts
of the famous forest Of Fontainbleau, OF
woodland rides. of moonlit waters, and
the felicities of rural life far away from
the roar and din of Paris. Those marvel
Gus eyes of hers had looked into his very
soul and eRthralled his senses.
De valar smiled as he thought how
few whs had come within their influences
had gotten away unsoathed- A knock al
the door aroused him.
Come in," he cried out, and jules Cha
bot entered the room.
Where Is your friend D'AuburonY
was de Vahar's first question
NJ. Chabet did not Immediately reply
He sank into chair. He seemed nnx
ious and worried, and out of sorts.
What on earth's the matter with you
You're not i'll, are your" CALCULATED the
banker.
Its my nerves, think. They're no
20 strong as they used to be-"
"You haven't been yourself for sons
time, ever since that ugly affair at Vile
neuve," remarked de yalisr, sympathet
ically.
Chabot shuddered, and hid his face II
his hands as If 10 shut out some horribl,
sight.
Don't speak of It," he almost whis
pered, so faint was his voice. Eyes, i
was enough to upset anybody"
at was peculiar hardship on you
Jules, just as you were on the point o
succeeding as you say with-let me see
what's her name-Mademoisell Emily
wasn't lit"
Let's change the subject. / came b
tell you something about D'Auburon.
have discovered, On inquiry. that he Il
even better fixed than l expected. How
big q block Of stock had you put aper
for HIM IN the United Dock Company
"A thousand shares l thought would b.
ample. You know Colbert hemplin bring
us a large following, and there are BON
pard and she rest. Still, some subscrib
ers will doubtless fail us at the last mo
ment Why do you ask?7
1T Is net enough. He has some yer,
wealthy fricnds. Only last night he wa
speaking Of one, who, he says. follows hi
lead implicitly. He is Swiss. He pay
periodical visits to Paris, and II is sal,
invests very largely in anything tina
strikes his fancy"
That's not bad news What Is thi
Crosus' nameT'
HE did not tell me-" replied Chabot
"He simply said If he thought well enough
of the venture to put his own money in
that he would advise his friend to do like
wise, II we needed additional capital
What are shares to himT'
''Par-of course 1t is easier to sell a
par than at fifteen francs on the one hun
dred. The one inspires confidence in
scheme, the other simply excites suspi
Glen. In fact, I'm not sure but we vii
put some premium on these Dock Com
pany shares A little premium Away
makes them more attractive"
'But there are seven millions of waite
In IT."
"a proof concern like this dock trus
will stand a good deal Of water reptile
the hnancier. After all. what does
matter2 All these people will have
~ksncs IA nell ostt at a rroff whsn xxa A.