The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-06-11
CHAPTER XIV.

he behaves himself. / don't want
to quarrel with him." was the dogged
reply. But I'll have no interference
in my affairs, If that's what he's
after. Shut the door, will you, be-
cause there's a draught.''
Sophy closed the door as requested,
but left herself on the other side of
it.
Adai, received his guest with that
mixture of warmth and deep respect
which he always threw into his tone
when the canon came to Albany
street; but, to Sophy's eye, there was
more effort in it than usual. She no.
ticed, too, that her guardians manner
was unusual-stiff and guarded. 1t
was always difficult to the canon to
conceal his feelings; but the remem-
brance that the other was his host
enabled him to do so to some extent.
The dinner passed off without
hitch; the topic of conversation was
chiefly Cambridge, in which there
were few discords. When Sophy left
them, and the cigars we're produced,
he was certainly disposed to take
more sanguine view of things.
Though he began It once upon the
matter that had brought him UP to
town-it had, indeed, been fizzing
and seething in his brain for so many
hours, that it was impossible longer
to suppress tit was without heat;
his tone was quiet and conciliatory.
81 am come here, Adair, upon rather
an unpleasant errand-a matter con-
cerning yourself, but which 1 earnest
ly hope you will be able to explain
to my satisfaction"
L hope so, indeed" replied the
other. His lips smiled, but his brow
had darkened; his .ace had resolute
yet apprehensive look, such as man
might wear about to be attacked by
more than one assailant, but who
has his back to the wall.
''It is only an advertisement in
newspaper, but it has given me great
distress of mind. 1 do not wish to
recall certain event which happened
two years ago or more; you cannot
have forgotten it.
Indeed, 1 have not, sir" put in
Adair, quietly. II well recol1ect your
generous conduct on that occasion to
me and mine"
SAT all events, showed very great
trust and confidence in you, which
you assured me would not be mis-
placed. You gave me your word,
also, that under no circumstances
would you ever embark in any under
taking which even the most prudent
person could call speculation. In
this advertisement"-he had taken
the paper from his pocket, and
pointed at the place-"I see your
name published as the director of the
Susco Railway Company, in South
America
True but in British Guiana, you
will allow me to add" said A6air,
suavely.
Good heavens! what has that to
do with it?''
well, if you were man of busi-
ness, canon" said Adair, smiling, 81
could show you that it had good
deal to do with it. Let me say, how
ever, generally, that an investment
in the country would be as safe as in
the debenture stocks of any English
railway; indeed, it is English. But
as it happens, I have not even in
vested in it. For certain reasons /
which, perhaps, you could not easily !
understand, but which are very valid
and reflect no little credit upon my |
position in the city, it has been worth
the company's while to put me on it's
direction, and also to pay me hand
son1ely for the use of my name"
"The explanation is not satisfac- |
tory to me, Adair," said the canon |
firmly. at is true 1 am not man |
of business but I know enough of |
such matters to be convinced that it !
wouldn't be worth the while of any
safe and stable company to do any
thing of the kind" Adair shrugged !
his shoulders, and smiled pitying
smile.
Really, canon, I scarcely know /
what to say. I could give you chap |
ter and verse for everything I have |
stated about this Susco project, but
il is a long business, and if you will
rot take my word"
81 have taken your word already,
Adair; your solemn promise in re-
turn, | must needs say, for a very
great favor. that you would never
have anything to do with speculation
that is, risk. Do you mean to tell
re there is no risk in your being
director of the Susco Railway Com
rany?"
Not one atom, not scintilla, ]
pledge you my word of honor"
The canon was staggered by the
Others earnestness and emphasis.
"We1l, of course, I cannot imagine
for one moment that you are deceiv-
ing me. | must needs believe you.
ut still do not like it. l must ask
GU to withdraw your name at once
from the official list, and 70 give up
all connection with the undertaking.
Very good, SIR" returned Adair,
frankly. Since nothing else will
satisfy you, l will do SO. l shall lose
two hundred pounds a year by it, but
1 need not say 1 would make much
greater personal sacrifice to meet
your wishes"
1T is not, you know, on my &C
count" said the canon, greatly mOlli-
fed, ''that l demand this of you. 1t
is nothing to me whether you risk
your money or not.
1t was with eyes more than half
opened to the true character of his
former protege, and with an impress
sion of the domestic relations be-
tween his ward and her husband
which save him infinite pain, that the
canon took his leave next morning as
if for the railway station. AS soon as
he reached Oxford street, however,
he put his head out of the cab win
dow and bade the driver to take him
to Bedford Row to Lawyer Irton's.
The young solicitor gave him a
hearty welcome.
II only wish 1t was my house." he