Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-11-04

On the table, an 1nlald one Oh TIC
numberless secret drawers and snug
hiding places, were piles of letters
heaps Of account BOOKS, and two for
Misunderstanding Iedg3rs. One OF the
latter lay open before him, and his
white hand, upon which scinuIlated
two diamond rings of value, traced the
figures down the coldmn or copied
them into a. smaller book beneath his
other hand.
Has the reader realized the luxury
and comfort with which Sir Richard
eoftened even the hard matters OF
business?
A gentle knock at the door evoked
a sharp:
Come in
A servant entered.
"Mr Dewlap, sir
'He may enter"
The servant stood aside and al
lowed a stout, thick-set man, with
pale. careworn face, rendered restless
and acute by pair Of keen eyes, to
enter.
This was Mr.. Dewlap, Sir Richards
confidential man of business, if the
title is not a misnomer, Sir Richard
posing confidence in no one.
There was snow on Mr.. Dewlap's
overcoat, and he paused on the thresh-
hold Of the superlatively comfortable
room to diyest himself of the garment.
"A cold night, Sir Richard
rs it?" answered his master. "Ah,
it SHOWS, I suppose"
yes, every prospect of hard Win
ter" replied Mr.. Dewlap, in a sup
pressed, still sort Of voice, which
changed to a grave tone when he next
spoke, which was after the servant
had left the room and in answer &c
Sir Richard.
"You are late: 1 have been expect
ing you this last half hour" he said,
in a cold, imperious way, that was
painfully acute in it's feigned calm.
q am sorry, Sir Richard, but I was
kept waiting at LlOyd's."
"Ah, you have been there; well?"
q am sorry" said Mr.. Dewlap, TAX
ing the chair toward which Sir Rich
ard had waved his white hand, 81 am
sorry to bring bad news, sir, but the
Arethusa has come to grief; the fear
ul storm in the Baltic has sent her to
port with nine hands lost"
Mine hands," retorted Sir Richard,
sharply. Never mind the hands
the cargo, man, the cargo!"
The cargo, Sir Richard, is entirely
ruined"
Sir Richard leaned back and raised
his hand to his face 1t grew pale; or
did the sickly green shade produce
that unpleasant hue?
"All spoiled" he repeated. Dearly
bought and only half insured. Bad
news, indeed"
Il regret, Sir Richard, l deeply re
greet" said Mr.. Dewlap, in still gray
err tones and with visible reluctance,
Ito say that there is still worse.
looked in upon Brooks, the stockhoId-
er, as / passed, seeing a light and
hearing voices, and heard that Vincent
Of Manchester, had-Greats Heaven!
Sir Richard!"
The man arose and leaned forward
in alarm.
Sir Richard had fallen back in his
chair with his face deadly white-1t
was not the lamp this time-and his
teeth clinched as if he were near
death.
AS Mr.. Dewlap approached him he
waved him back with his hand, raised
himself as if with an effort, and brave
to the last with that courage which |
bad men share with heroes, looked his
man full in the face.
Il beg your pardon; a sudden faint
ness. l have been writing too long, |
and overlooked my dinner hour. |
Don't be alarmed; it has passed. You
were saying that Vincent, of Man
Mr. Dewlap, used as he was to his
GOODNESS, was too astonished
for the moment to continue.
Il hope, Sir Richard, was not too
You forget said Sir Richard,
with wal smile, you have told me
nothing yet. Has anything happened
% Vincent of Manchester?"
They have failed, Sir Richard.
Failed" Sir Richard repeated,
:; Ho Oa-fif -sme'ra Ihhde st
with a shrug of his eyebrows. THAT
S bad for us, DewIap. Have the
goodness to hand me that daybook,
No. 8"
Mr.. Dewlap fetched the book from
A shelf, and Sir Richard opened it and
examined q page; his hand was so
raised while he did it that his face
vas hidden from his confidential
clerk.
There were great drops of cold per-
spiration upon his white forehead,
and one bead fell upon the open book
He shut it quietly, calmly, and hand
ed it back.
Very bad, but not so bad as I
thought. Anything else?"
mo, Sir Richard. Here's the days
account and the passbook. Are there
any letters?"
only these; nothing of import
ance."
Then I may so, Sir Richard?"
Yes; goodnight"
Mr.. Dewlap returned the salutation
With all respect and reached the door.
Sir Richard called him back.
''Dewlap"
Yes, Sir Richard"
4 forgot to caution you-not a
word to the Arethusa or Vincent"
Mr.. DewIap looked offended.