The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-07-09

V'Siy piifato Sidll tudI
New York as Its home portland IA
from being dazzled by a bewilderin,
display of precious stones, the spark,
OF a diamond here would have been 81
conspicuous as TO be startling.
To his unobservant eye there wa.
nothing to indicate what manner O
business might be carried on here
Brownlow's private room was ever
dingier and more uninviting than the
outer ofice-for all the world like the
husk OF a frost bitten nut Of which
Brownlow was the wrinkled kernel.
But could Tom have been present
while the importer was entertaining 8
prospective customer, he would have
obtained an insight into Brownlow's
methods. In front OF the only window
that was scrupulously clean stood a
wide table. Across the polished tor
two comfortable leathern chairs faced
a C other. Two or three dark pur,
pie velvet pads and a couple of jewel.
er's lenses lay here and there upon
the top itself. At these two places the
Importer and the customer would have
g sitting tete-a-tete, the latter bark,
ening while the former discoursed at
length upon any subject save the one
that had brought them together, until
n OF the bent figures in the outer of.
nee returned from Brownlow's safe-de-
post box In a nearby bank, bearing
beneath his arm a small leather case.
Atfar thlG had hnnn 1nnAnftaI Lat
Brownlow's elbow and the bent figure
had retired to re-Gttach himself to his
W particular ponderous ledger, the
case would have been opened and it's
glittering contents poured out upon
the velvet pads. Then the little mans
garrulity would have ceased, and he
would have uncovered a minute knowl-
edge of gems and values against which
the sharpest bargainer knew that Ii
was useless to contend. Unnumbered
millions of dollars worth of precious
stones had passed through his claw
like fingers, each adding its quota to
his wealth; and thus ii was that he
could indulge In a luxury like the
Kohinur.
The importer was alone, however,
when Tom entered. He rose nimbly
from his desk and greeted his caller
with an effusiveness that left the lat
ter tongue-tied.
My dear Mr.. Phinney!" cried the
little man, beaming, the while he Wig.
orously pumped Toms ponsive
right hand. MY dear Mr.. Phinney!
Almost literally you have arrived at
the eleventh hour. 1t is impossible for
me to express my qualification at see
ing you. So you didn't forget the re-
quest | made SO bold as to prefer at
Mrs. Payne-French's!" He stopped
with surprising abruptness, then went
on in a tone expressive of consterna-
ton: Don't say that you have
failed! Don't tell me you have come
only to bring disappointment! II
would be a cruel act of kindness on
your part, but Ahem! Sit
down."
Tom dropped into the chair which
the other thrust at him as if he meant
to knock his legs from under him.
Pray don't give me any such i'll
tidings, Mr.. Phinney, for this is my
last day of grace; If | don't get a
skipper and mates for the Kohinur by
six this evening, / stand to iose"-he
raised his hands In a despairing ges-
ture-"l can't bear TO hear myself say
1t! | can't bear to think OF how much
| shall lose-more han any man can
afford-good. honest money. Just wait
Ing TO be picked up"
This was all more or less unintel-
iigible to Tom; but he had succeeded
in pulling himself together. and as
as he could wedge in a word he
to Impress upon the excitable
merchant that he was offering himself
Tor the opening. When at last Brown
comprehended. he suddenly
himself and stared at Tom in
silent surprise; but in a moment he
irew a long face. which put the finish
ng touch to his callers discourage
nent.
You're not In earnest" Brownlow
voiced his misgivings, solemnly wag-
sing his head, but nevertheless main
an interested scrutiny upon
he young man. why, should you be
cooking for such a billet?"
Because | want tho money" vas
he blunt response. And take my
word for 1t, Mr.. Brownlow. I'm In
earnest. II you doubt my qualiica-
ions"
The other raised a ~silencing hand
II konw all about Them" said he.
elise ] shouldn't have
preached the matter to you In the first
supposed your interest and
In yachts and yachting would
snable you to put me In the way of
what I wanted: didn't expect
hat you would-er-ahem!-"
Tom took the words out Of his
Strike you for the job myself. eh!
Well. l have"
Brownlow seated himself at his
ieak. upon which he thoughtfully
with his fingers. every now
Ind then directing . sharp glance at
,is caller. Tom was beginning to real
- thai the employment of . captain