The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-23


rington obediently followed the
vilainous looking visitor out of
tine Office.
After the door had closed behind them
Frank harrington turned to Wilbur.
Now explain, Leslie he said quiet
~. what that row was about. 1 know
that my brother did not tell me the
truth just now. / could see that you
were not fooling by any means. The
pair of you were in deadly earnest.
There was murder in your eye. If I
had not interrupted you just now you
would have struck my brother with that
rule you still hold in your hand. Tell
me what vas the trouble between you"
"If you please, Mr.. Darlington. I'd
rather not tell y1u," replied Wilbur.
BE kind enough to let the matter rest,
I assure you, however, that I was not
10 blame, sir"
Il believe you, Leslie" replied the
senior partner, kindly. ct am sure that.
whatever the row was about, my
brother was at fault. I am getting
heartily tired of his behavior. He is
making himself more and more objec-
tionable every day, and I don't intend
10 put up with his conduct much
longer
ttDs L EutSS he uOeSIi mean any
harm, sir" ventured Wilbur. pacifical-
~, secretly amazed that. Frank Bar
rington should have spoken so bitterly
about his younger brother and business
partner, TO him, a mere employee.
Frank Darlington was ten years older
than Arthur, and utterly unlike hiIn
both IN appearance and disposition. He
was tall and lean and or dark complex
finr
his chin long and protruding. There
was something about mis- features which
suggested n fox.
In marked contrast to his younger
brother, he was strictly attentive to
business. Unlike Arthur. too. he was
parsimonious to such a degree that his
enemies accused him or being a miser-
He was not at all careful about his
attire. and generally wore clothes which.
were in-fitting and almost shabby
He had few friends-men Of his type
seldom have. His nature was cold and
reticent and exceedingly mistrustful.
He was totally devoid Of sentiment
When old harrington died he had left
his wholesale diamond business 10 his
two sons. recognizing the elders ST.
perior business capacity TO the extent
of giving him the controlling voice in
the affairs of the firm.
Although Frank and Arthur were
brothers, there was very little love lost
between them. They were always quar-
reIing. Arthur almost despised his older
brother, because OF his parsimony and
Observation-Disclosures; Frank regarded Ar
thur with intolerance bordering on cOn7
tempt because the latter was such d
poor business man and so prodigal with
his money.
wilbur Leslie knew that this feeling
existed between his two employers, but
this was the first time that one partner
had gone to the length OF taking him
into his confidence concerning the other.
Therefore, he was amazed and felt, il
must be confessed decidedly UncOm-
Portable. His surprise increased at
Frank Barrinston's next words
"Since il is your wish, / viii not press
you for an explanation Of your quarrel
with my brother" he said We will let
the matter rest, as you request.
'E;ut since you have quarreled with
him. Leslie, YOU ought 10 be all the
more ready to DO what I am going TO
ask OF you.
Il want you to do me a favor I
WISH you ~ httB a fADCC hdAlll Oll lii1
brother in future. 7 want you 20 be
able 10 report 70 me everything ne
Goes
sBut I shouldn't like 10 do that,
sfr" protested the astonished clerk.
II have no desire 10 act the part Of a
Fpy. And, besides, II wouldn't be az
all right You are forgetting, surely.
that Mr. Arthur is the junior partner
oE this firm, whtle I am only a hum
HE employe 1t would be most humil-
tating for him to know that he was
being watched AID informed on by
me. I don't believe that . man OF his
proud spirit would tolerate it,
He must not know that YOU arc
watching him.. replied Frank Bar
rinztOn, with emphasis. You must
he very careful not 20 arouse his sus-
picions. Leslie. am entrustins YOU
\ with this task becausc I know that
Won are shrewd and careful"
But 7 do not want 20 DO it, de-
elsred wilbur. 1T would go s0reiy
against my grain. You had better get
somebody else FOR the job, NIr. Bar
rington. u doesn't appeal TO me at
all
Don't be a fool. I.eslie!' exclaimed
the senior partner impatiently. There
is nothing wrong in what ] am ask
ing OF you. Il is for the welfare OF the
house
I don't mind confdinE 10 Won that
the firm Of Darlington & Sons is on
its last legs. We Axe face to face with
bankT1Iptcv II we manage 10 pull
through Il viii be by the skin Of our
teeth. And 7 doubt very much whether
We shall be able TO pull through AT
all"
"Oh, surely things are not quite as
bad as that. sir" exclaimed Wilbur in
alarm.
Yes. they are" replied Frank Bar
rington, bitterly ''You might as well
know the truth. And Il IS largely due
10 my brother that we are in SUCH dire
straits. His cursed recntcssness and
extrayasances .ave pretty near ruined
the firm
And It Is FOR this reason that you
want me 10 watch his movements in
future" inquired Wilbur
Yes lie acts like a child, and
therefore deserves 10 be treated as
such. II IL wasn't for the terms or
oGr fathers VIII ! would dissolve the
partnership and throw MIN out Of the