The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-08-22

|
land, twisting the sticky stem of
liqueur glass between thumb and fore
finger, sat in patient waiting for the
lawyer to speak.
But Bannermau was In no hurry;
his mood was rather one contempla-
tive and genial. He was a round and
cherubic little man, with the face of
a guileless child, the acumen of sue
cessful counsel for soulless corpora
no particular sense Of humor, and
great appreciation Of good eating.
And Maitland was famous in his day
as one thoroughly conversant with the
art of ordering a dinner.
That which they had just discussed
had been uncommon in all respects;
Maitland's scheme Of courses and his
specification as to details had reused
the admiration of the Primordial's chef
and put him on his mettle. He had
outdone himself in his efforts to do
justice to Mr.. Maitlands genius; and
the Primordial in It's deadly conserva-
tism remains to this day one of the
very few places in New York where
good, sound cooking is to be had by
the initiate.
Therefore Bannernan thoughtfully
sucked at his cigar and thought
fondly of a salad that had been to
car was to an electric blackboard.
While Maitland, with all time ut his
purchase, idly flicked the ash from his
cigarette and followed his attorneys
meditative gaze out through the win
dow.
Because Of the heat the curtains
were looped back, and there was moth
ing to obstruct the view. Madison
square lay just over the sill, q dark
wilderness Of foliage here and there
made livid green by arc lights. Its
walks teemed with humanity, its
benches were crowded. Dimly from
Its heart came the cool FLASHING of the
fountain in lulls that fell unaccount-
ably in the roaring rustic of restless
feet. Over across, Broadway raised
glittering walls Of glass and stone;
and thence came the poignant groan
and rumble of surface cars crawling
upon their weary and unvarying
rounds.
And again Maitland thought Of the
City, and of Destiny and of the gray
girl the silhouette Of whose hand was
imprisoned beneath the brass bowl on
his study desk. For by now he was
quite satisfied that she and none other
had trespassed upon the privacy of his
nh o{ int e., to-, III
absence by means as unguessable as
her motive. Momentarily he consid
cred taking Bannerman into his con.
fidence; but he questioned the ad
visibility of this. Bannerman was SC
severely practical in his outlook upon
life, while this adventure had been
80 madly whimsical, so engagingly
impossible. Zimmerman would be sure
to suggest call at the precinct police
station. If she had made way
with anything, 1t would be different;
but so far as Maitland had been able
to determine, she had distracted moth
J ing, disturbed nothing beyond a few
square inches Of dust.
Unwillingly Bannerman put the
salad out Of mind and turned to the
! business whose immediate momen,
had brought them together. He
hummed softly, calling his client to at
reverie, vaguely smiling.
I'm waiting, old man. What's up?'
"The Graeme business His lawyers
have been after me again. even had
call from the old man himself"
"Yes? The Graeme business? p
Maitlands expression was blank for 8
. moment; then comprehension informed
, his eyes. ooh, yes; in connection with
the Dougherty investment swindle."
That's 1t. Graeme's pleading fol
mercy"
Maitland lifted his shoulders sig
nif1cantly. "That was to be expected
wasn't it? What did you tell him."
I THAT I'd see you.''
did you hold out to him any hope.
that I'd be easy on the gang?"
| u told him that doubted II you
, could be induced to let up"
"Then why"
why, because Graeme himself Is al
innocent Of wrong doing and wrong in
! tent rs you are"
"You believe that"
II d." affirmed Bannerman. His
fat pink fingers drummed uneasily or
the cloth for few moments. There
isn't any question that the Dougherty
people induced you to sink your money
in their enterprise with intent to de
fraud YOU"
|
II should think not" Maitland inter
r jected, amused.
: But old man Graeme was honest
| in intention at least. He meant ne
harm; and in proof Of that he Offer
to shoulder your loss himself, II by sc
doing he can induce you to drop furth
/ er proceedings. That proves he's II
earnest. Dan, for although Greame I,
, comfortably we'll to do, it's know
fact that the loss of a cool half million
, while it's drop in the bucket to you
i uyOu1d crinn1o him