The Washington herald., 1912-02-18
ny CHARLES II. l.. JOHNSTON.
CHAPTER vi.
THE STORY WHICH
THE EARL TOLD
Broker No. ~.


- ghostly experience. I must con-
tess that when he began to speak felt
some doubt that this cold individual
could warm with sufficient imagination
Tor story Yet, as he talked away,
the expression of his countenance was
changed. A strange flush came into
his sallow checks; his eyes sparkled
with unwonted enthusiasm, and his
whole attitude was different from that
TO which was accustomed. Imme-
ditely felt greater cordiality for this
curious nobleman than | had ever ex-
perienced before, as changed person.
ality was before me.
The earl was seated in deep-cush-
ioned chair, and he leaned forward as
he began to speak and gesticulated with
one arm. A gold chain with heavy
links flashed in the freight against the
somberness of his waistcoat, and ring
upon his finger glitered as his hand
waved to and fro. The tones of his
voice were harsh and strident at first,
But, as he proceeded, this rasping noise
seemed to grow less marked. He held
us spellbound with interest at the story
which he told.
1T was in the winter OF 'o6," began
the earl. Il was more bored than
usual, for this is a chronic condition
with me. II was after my reunion
with my family, following trip to
East Africa In quest of big game. |
was suffering from lack Of excitement,
for shooting the lion in his native en-
Vironment is pleasing work"
The earl rubbed his hands together
and chucllled,' for he had the true
Anglo-Saxon's enjoyment Of the chase.
81 had come up to London for the
season, but the season no longer had
any interest for me- Weary OF the
eternal succession of parties, teas, and
receptions, | determined to seek relaxa-
ton in some form of excitement, and,
after considering whether or not
should enter a motor race or ride in an
officers steeplechase-for | am an ex-
member of regiment-I determined to
go in for speculation OF some sort At
this time there was considerable ex-
citement in mining shares on the Rand,
and | found that all society was agog
over the matter, while fortunes-quite
unexpected and unhoped for-were sud-
denly acquired. Every one was talking
about the stock market and every one
was taking a flyer.
"One day walked into the Office Of
my old friends, Towner & Wickes. Jack
Towner had been with me at Eton,
and Wickes was claSsmate at Ok
ford. | found the latter sitting at his
desk in his private room
Hello, Tom Wickes,' / said, ex-
tending my hand. How are you?
'Wickes certainly showed an excite
ment that was only natural
"'Can | sit DOWN. | asked.
"Wickes suddenly found his voice and
answered me;
'Wh-why certainly, certainly. Pray
have seat He rose as he spoke, and
waved me to leather-bottomed chair.
Now, what the devil brings You
down hereS he asked. squirting at me
through his eyeglasses.
81 am looking about for a specula-
tive interest, and, knowing you since
you were little boy, thought that |
would come in and ask your advice
"Wickes paced the floor and smiled.
always give one piece of counsel
TO- young men,, he said, and that is:
DO not speculate -
We'll, having reached the age of
discretion | answered 4 feel that |
can evade your admonition. Now, what
~ W VI plhllio lOl a pul
"Squills was a new mine. A shaft
had been sunk near a famous outcrop
in the Rand, and the London specula-
tors were going half crazy over it.
Bah said Wickes.
"What's the matter with it? I
asked
What's the matter with it? Why,
my boy, look at this and ask me-
He tossed into my lap typewriter
letter, and on the top of the sheet was
the heading, Thomas c. Crichton, Min
ing Expert, johannesburg / read:
I'm regard to the new mining shares
that are being hoated in London Du-
range Boy is a pile of gypsum; Spion
King is hole three feet deep and a
quarter of a mile from any vein.
Squills is situated on the vein--i. E., in
the direction which it dips, but, as it
dips at an angle of forty degrees, from
a rough calculation it must be fully
! 200 feet from the surface of the vein.
In other words, the promoters of the