Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-10-10


iLg over their dinner in the commits
sion-agent's house.
1t was not until the coffee and IL
queurs had been placed upon the
table, and the servants had with
drawn, that they attacked the sub
ject which held such interest for
them both. Nine. Calesse had re-
fused to dine with Pecheret, so the
men were alone.
"Was that a bona-fide receipt"
asked Pecheret for the third time
that day.
Eyes, nave told you so; it was
perfectly genuine 1t was a legal
receipt from the Bank of France"
Then the ninny has three hun
bred thousand francs to his credit,
and he is going to hand it over to
you. Is he mad ?"
"No, ,e is not mad; neither is he
a sharper. He is just fool. He
quite believes that he is going into
partnership with me, and that we
shall do tremendous business be-
tween London, Paris, and India"
what are you going to do?"
''Let it go on, and when the papers
are ready to sign introduce some
clause thai will give us absolute
power"
The week passed. Jacques paid his
call upon Nine. Calesse when he
knew her husband would be there.
She seemed very i'll; he was sur
prised to find her so changed in so
short a time. Two celebrated physi-
clans had seen her, but they had
been unable to state the cause of
her sudden illness. Her face was
drawn and haggard, and when she
spoke there was a catch in her voice
like a sob.
Il am homesick," she said with
wan smile, when Jacques expressed
his sympathy. at is your terrible
city. | want my own dear land, with
its flowers and sum-"
an get another doctor to see you
tomorrow" her husband said Or.
Bourdier is very clever, and I'll send
for him." Fadejah's great eyes
seemed full of fear as she looked at
him. She made no reply, but seemed
to shrink within herself.
Jacques was alarmed at this
change in her. Her kind eyes were
full of pity. He stayed only few
minutes.
"Good-by madame" he said,
pressing her slim hand in his strong
palm. Il am genuinely sorry to see
you so unwell. hope the next time
| have the pleasure of seeing you,
you will have recovered"
Her burning hand trembled in his,
and when she replied there was still
the sob in her voice.
The day fixed for the signing Of
the contract arrived. When Jacques
reached the office he found Calesse
expecting him.
Il have made a few alterations"
said the commission agent carelessly
as he handed Jacques his copy. at
is nothing that changes the sense Of
the contract, but it seems neces-
sary."
He had had a contract drawn up
by a lawyer which prevented Veil
gay from touching his capital once
it was in the business. He began
to read it. From time to time
Jacques interrupted him TO dispute
a clause, and the more excited he
became in defending his own inter
ests the more convinced was Calesse
that he was dealing with a fool
"Now, there is just one clause that
is essential as regards the payment
of the funds" Jacques remarked,
when the commission agent had fin
ished.
Calesse had counted that his fu-
ture partner would not think of that
in the numerous articles with which
he had hoped to befog him.
you give me your capital and I'll
pay mine into the counting house."
Caleses said; chat is simple"
"Of what does yours consist ?"
"Of-of-"
Il see," said Jacques, you have
so many occupations that you
haven't had time to think Of that.
Well, III give you all the time you
want"
The commission agent was begin
ming to see that his man was not
such a fool. He had accepted all
the conditions that Calesse had
made in the contract, but he had not
yet signed them"
Fix the time yourself. If you
need a month, that will suit me"
said Jacques.
"Oh, scarcely a month"; muir
INJURED Calesse, who felt himself
beaten.
very well, then, as soon as you
can; and in the meantime I'll drop in
occasionally and see you, and ex-
anime the books"
But" objected Calesse, "if you
examine my books, ] must be
sure"
IL pledge myself in the most alb
solute manner. If you wish, I'll
write a letter to that effect"
Your word is sufficient" The
commission agen. was not anxious
to receive a letter to which he would
have to reply. When Velizay had
gone he sat for a long time gazing
into space. He was convinced that
the man whom he had taken for a
simpeton had some hidden motive
in suggesting this partnership.
Pecheret, who had been out, now re-
turned.
"Well, it is all up?" he asked,
when he caught sight Of his part
ner's face.
"Oh, no. But that fellow has
some motive in coming here. He'll
hiring mo his money when | show nm