The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-13
CHAPTER XXXIII.
wARMICK ENPLAINs.

following afternoon.
At about the time Graham was hold
ing the stormy interview with Gladys
which sent him forth dazed and
stricken, mis- private secretary turned
into a fashionable apartment house just
of Fifth avenue, and, sending up het
name, was promptly conducted TO MI
Warwick door.
Very different. she saw at a glance,
were his present quarters rom the NUM-
bic single room ne rad occupied at Miss
son rugs covered the floor, a good
painting or two showed upon the walls.
while statuary, books. briC-a-brac and
curios strewn aTtlsUically about gave 10
the place an undeniably air OF luxsry
Warwick, as he came forward to
greet her, smiled at the evident surprise
with which she viewed his abode.
Not so bad for poor miner only
week out OF the wild and woolly West,
IS it?" he said. cOmplacently. Wont
you take of your hat and jacket and
make yourself at home? You'll md
that easy chair over by the fireplace
fairly comfOrta bic.
And can't offer you something he
ratified on, as though to conceal some
feeling of nervousness or embarrass-
ment "A glass OF apOilinaris. say. or
some fruit
inclination toward accepting any of his
offered inequalities and stood rigidly
near the door, not even removing her
gloves. But as 1 am uespasslng on
my employers time, / think 1 had bet
ter discuss the business which brought
me here and get away
His dark face flushed at the frIgid
indifference of her tone, and he took a
hasty step toward her.
''Hndarf he exclaimed, passiOnaIely;
but she stayed him with a look, and
after a moments pause went on in the
same even, business-like manner.
You wrote me, she said, that you
had a proposition TO make TO me vitality
affecting the interests of my employer,
and although you doubted my accept
anCe OF il since its terms would unques-
tionably be distasteful 10 myself, you
urged that such an acceptance on my
part would save him serious trouble I
am here, as 7 wired you I would be. to
learn the nature OF this proposition and
its distastefEl terms -
Yes ] wrote you that" he confessed.
but ] did so because knew it was the
only way 20 get YOU here, this tae only
place where I could have an absolutely
private interview with you Let Robert
Graham and his affairs go for a while.
want 70 talk 70 you about myself
she turned quickly and laid hand
upon the dOOrknOb.
THAT is subject which interests me
least of any In the world" she an
sWered. If you really have anything
10 say which concerns Mr. Graham or
his AFFAIRS / viii listen 10 you; other
wise
He drew back with a scowl. his man
ner changing 10 one of uuconcealed hos
Utility.
"Oh, I have plenty to say on that
score. too. he EneeTed Don't think
that have brought you here under any
raise preIenses- It's rather long
story, though, and as I shall be some
time Ia the telling OF IL ] really think
you had better be seated"
Again he waved his hand toward the
arm chair, and this time, after a mo-
ments hesitation, she walked over and
seated herself
Warwick took a chair across the room
from her, and, sin with that same dark
scoWl upon his brow, began:
II redeem my promise right at the
very start, he said. by asking YOU if
you consider the Marine Paint Trust
case matter vitality affecting The man
you work rors and whether or not YOU
want 10 discuss a proposition looking 10
the return or this conference record Did
Coriett has been telephoniug ne 80
wildly about?'
An she glanced across az him
then you have it2-'
"OI course / have it," ne eiolned
conuemptuOusly. although I should be
compelled 10 declare YOU lied il sou
should ever repeat my statement On
the witness stand
Yes he reiterated, I nave it all
right. I Thought al the time il was
Drawn up IL might be a handy thing 90
Keep III my own possession, although
never dreamed then how really valuable
II was destined 10 become"
How much should you say" he
querlea, tholghlilllys the thing would
Dc worth 10 GrdhamE
Fiilda considered her answer carefully
before she spoke.
Well she ventured at last, Il can
hardly say Mr. Graham Is far from
Tlch, as you know merely young
lawyer just establishing himself I'm ura..,
tice. SIN ~ you want me TO take tug
matter up with him / viii do SO and
report 10 You what be SAYS. PERHAPS. n
You VIII name a reasonable sum, he cen
persuade Mr. tCrlett TO agree 10 pas
Money!" Warwick gave short sal
castlc lausA. 30 you imagine that IS
what / am after eng Wny my dear
girl, do you think if that was nv game
Ia be fOOliug around with YOU or era
ham either2 I'd 90 direct To my dell
Uncle Vernon and bleed him of half rIs
fortune, so great is his fear OF iudIct-
meut
As for money I've been offered q
hundred thousand Tor the paper within
the last hour by your respected step
papa, VINO knows that I have the dozen.
ment. and is about as anxious TO have
IL suppressed as Corlett IS 10 get it be-
fore the public
Thank heaven. / have no need % dea
with any Of them. though I can draw
my check for as much as Coriett 0l
Montgomery and then perhaps go then
2 few dollars better. You said that yoJ
didn't care 90 hear anything about mg
personal affairs, Hilda, buts i can nj
last tell you / have struck it rich N
TIE West. Look around you. Does this
appear Ike the howell OF a d0wu-at-ths
heels adeNntuTerE'
mo" he spoke boastfUlly. neither
myself nor anything Y have for sale
rot III Graham could persuade Old Yer
non Corlett 10 put mp every cent he
has"
But" she questioned hewilderedIy
IL such is the case why did YOU ash
me what I though Mr.. Graham woult
give2"
NO" he shook hts head, mot whaf
he would give but what you considered
this paper might be worth TO him.
And III answer 10 myself he COR
tinued with a sudden viudictive energy
Its worth ali his professional hopes
and prospects. for if he loses a case
upon which IL Is known his heart Is Sd
set. no one else VIII have any faith in
him.
1T means. too said Warwick with
slow emphasis, the loss TO him Of the