The Irish standard., 1911-04-01
Novelized by
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
From the Play of the
Same Name by
WlNCHELL SMITH
Copyright. 1910. by Winchell Smith
and Louis Joseph Vance

clothe the three Of them. maintain the
credit Of the partnership and now and
again admit Of a slight but advan-
tageous addition to the stock of FIX
lures. Things would certainly be bet.
ter in the course Of time, but
It came to pass that he left the store
early one evening, excusing himself on
the plea Of some slight indisposition
and lost himself for the space Of two
hours.
He found himself shortly after 8 at
pause by the gate to the Bohun place.
An aged negro butler. one Of the freed
slaves brought from Virginia by the
Bohuns. admitted him to the hall and
took bis card, smothering his own won
derment, for in those days nobody
disturbed the silence and the peace Of
decay of the Bohun mansion save its
master Duncan had long to wait.
"Cunnel Bohun will see yo', SUBJ"
the servant said and ushered him into
the library.
Bohun received the young man
standing. He was as courteous be-
meath his own roof as he was impos-
sible away from 1t.
The colonel nodded "At your serv-
ice. SIR" and waited grimly.
Duncan had his own way of getting
at things.
MAY I inquire, Sir. ii you are ac-
quainted with the firm Of Z. ]. Bart
LETT e. Cn NJ Now York ~
Il have heard of 1t, Mr.. Duncan"
''Then would you mind doing me the
favor of writing to Mr. Henry Kel-
logg. the junior partner. and asking
him about me?"
The colonel stihened. MAY I ask
why should do anything so uncalled
for?"
Because 1t isn't uncalled for, sir. /
mean you won't think so after I've
explained"
Bohun inclined his head, searching
Mats face with his keen, bright eyes.
you see, sir, it's this way. l want
you to intrust me with considerable
sum Of money. and naturally you would
not do that without knowing some.
thing about me-"
II incline very much to doubt that
should do 1t in any event, Mr.. Dun
can"
''Oh, don't say that. You don't know
the circumstances as yet" Nat jerked
his head earnestly at the colonel. "You
see. you're said to be one of the rich
est men in town, and I'm certainly one
of the poorest, so Of course I turn to
you In case like this"
Duncan could have sworn that the
eyes were twinkling beneath the saw
agely knitted brows.
"You must understand I'm in busi-
ness here in Radville-a partner in a
growing and prospecting concentrate
doing-very well in point of fact"
"YesY
but we haven't any spare capital.
In fact. we haven't got any capital
worth mentioning. But the business is
entirely sound and SOLVENT
II congratulate you, SIR
'"Thank you very much. Now, I'm
interested in rather singular case,
that Of young woman-a girl,
should say-daughter of my partner
She's a good girl and wonderfully
sweet and fine, sir. She comes Of one
of the best families In these parts"
ION her mothers side" suggested
the colonel dryly.
$50 I'm told, sir. But she's been
neglected Circumstances have been
against her. She hasn't had real
chance in life. but she ought to have
it, and I'm going to see that she gets it
one way or another"
"You haven't fnished?" said the
colonel coldly.
mot quite, sir" said Duncan. GOOD
sign" he told himself. He hasn't or
dered me thrown out yet"
ITO come down to cases. sir, she
ought to be sent to a good boarding
school for a few years. It'll make
new woman Of her-a woman to be
proud of. She's got that in her. It
only needs to be brought out"
"And before you leave, SIR" said the
colonel with significant precision, will
you be so kind as to inform me why
sou think this should interest me?"
NO." said Duncan candidly; II
haven't got the nerve to. But what
wanted to propose was this-that you
lend me $500 to cover the expense Of
the 6rst year on condition that rep
resent the money as coming from the
profits of the business and. In short.
keep the transaction between our
selves absolutely quiet. If you'll In
quire of Mr.. Kellogg bell tell you l
can be trusted to keep my word. Fur
thermore"-he galloped. suspecting
that his time was perilously short and
desiring to get it all out Of his system
-"I'Il guarantee you repayment within
4 year and that you shan't be annoyed