Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-05-06
CHAPTER XVIl.

CHAPTER Xvn.
Jasper undressed aud went 10 bed
ana slept as soundly as men OF his Pc
culiar ealiber do sleep. while scrigeif
was standing at the corner sof a street
in Cogent Garden, with bis hands in
HE pockets aud his eyes on The ca
trance to Kings Hotel. A little ate
nine Jasper awoke. had his bath
dressed, went out, got some breakfast.
and sa. down to work. and Tor tbs
time being forgot actually forgot
that such al individual as Stella
Etherldge existed
That was The secret OF his power.
that ne could concentrate his atten-
ton on one subject to the absolute
= abnegation Ct ali others.
Several visitors put ia an appear.
anee on business, Jasper opening the
door by means Of a wire which drew
back the handle. without moving.
AT about halfpast twelve someone
knocked. Jasper opened The door.
and a tan. fhshionably dressed yonns
gentleman entered
II was a certain Captain Halliday.
who had been one OF the guests at
Wyndward Hall on the arst night 0f
our Introduction there.
Captain Halliday Vas a man about
town; one who had been rich. but who
had worked very hard to make him
self poor and nearly succeeded He
Wh well.snown man. and member
o. fast club, at which high play
formed the chief amusement
Jasper knew him socially. aud got
up-a thing he did not often do--to
shake hands
How do You do?" he said. motion.
ing him 10 chair Anything can
do for your"
Ii was generally understood by Jas
per's aoquaintnnces that Jasper's time
was money. and they respected the
hours devoted by him to business.
Captain Halliday smiled.
You always come t. the point.
Adelstoue." he replied. Yes, want
a little advice"
Jasper sat down and cIasped his
hands over his knee; they were white
and carefully kept hands.
Hope ! may be able to give It to
you. What Is it?"
Wei look here" said the captain,
''yod don't mind my smoking cigar.
cite. do you9 can always talk bet,
ter while / am smoking
Not at ALL like it" said Jasper.
But the lady olients?" sad the Cap
tain, with little contraction OF N
eyelids, which was susplciously near
a wink.
4 don't think they mind said Jas
per. They are generally too occupied
with their own business TO notice. A
light? and he handed the wax tapers
which stood on his desk icr sealing
purposes.
The captain lighted his cigarette
slowly. II was evident that the mat
ter upon which he required advice
was delicate. and only to be attacked
with much deliberation.
Look here" he began; I've come
upon rather an awkward business"
Jasper smiled. 1t not unfrequently
happened that his clients came to him
for money, and not upfrsquently he
managed to ilnd soJ1e Tor them---ot
course through some friend. always
through some friend in the city" who
demanded and obtained a tolerably
large interest,
Jasper smiled. and wondered how
much the captain wanted, ard whethe.'
II would be safe to lend L.
What is IL" he said.
You know the Rookerys asked
che captain.
Jasper nodded
4 was there the other uight-Im
there every night I'm afraid. he
added; but / am referring to the
night before last"
Yes" said Jasper. intending to
heip him. And luck went against
you, and you lost pile"
NO, didn't" said the captain. u
won a pile"
Il congratulate you. said Jasper.
with q cool emile.
y won a pile!" said the captain.
from all round: but principally from
a young fellow--a mere boy. who was
there as visitor, introduced by young
Bellamy--know young Bellamyg"
Yes. yes." said Jasper-he was
very busy. Everybody knows Bel.
iamy Well?"
Well, the young fellow was aw.
fully sorry for him. and tried to per
suade him TO turn it Up. but he
wouldn't You know what Youngsters
are when they are green atlthis con
fonsded gamer"