Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-07-08


display OF precious stones. the sparkle
OF diamond here would have been so
conspicuous as to be startling.
To his uBobservant eye there was
nothing to Indicate what manner OF
business might be carried on here.
| Brownlow's private room was even
dlngier and more uninyiting than the
outer ofIice--foF all the world like the
musk Of frostbitten nut OF which
Brownlow was the wrinkled kernel.
But could Tom have been present
while the importer was entertaining a
| prospective customer, he would have
obtained an insight into Brownlow's
methods In front OF the only window
that was scrupuIously clean stood a
wide table. Across the polished top
two comforts- e leathern chairs faced
each other. Two or three dark pur-
pie velvet pads and a couple OF jewell
er's Lenses lay here and there upon
the top itself Al these two places the
importer and the customer would have
been sitting tete-a-tete. the latter bark
ening while the former diseoursed at
length upon any subject save the one
that had brought them together, until
one Of the bent figures in the outer of
| fee returned from Brownlows safe-de-
post box IN a nearby bank. bearing
beneath his arm a small leather case
After this had been deposited at
Brownlowie elbow and the bent figure
had retired to re-attach himself to his
own particular ponderous ledger, the
case would have been opened and It's
glittering contents poured out upon
the velvet pads. Then the little mans
garruiity would have ceased. and he
would have uncovered a minute knowl-
edge Of gems and values against which
the sharpest bargainer knew that it
was useless to contend, Unnumbered
millions Of dollars worth OF precious
stones had passed through bis claw
like fingers, each adding its quota TO
his wealth; and thus It 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.
sMy dear Mr., Phinneyp cried the
little man. beamlng. the while be Wig
orously pumped Toms unresponsiye
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 proffer 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
here only to bring disappointment! It
would be a cruel act OF kindness on
your part, but Ahemi $
down."
Tom dropped into the chair which
the other thrust at him as II 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. II don't get a
skipper and mates for the Kohinur by
six this evening. stand to lose"--he
raised bis hands in despairing ,ges,
ture-''I cant bear to hear myself say
~ can't bear TO think OF how much
| shall lose--more than any man can
afford--good. honest money. just wait
ing to be picked up
This was all more or less unintell
Eligible to Tom. but he had succeeded
in pulling himself together. and as
soon as he could wedge In word he
tried 10 impress upon the excitable
merchant that he was Offering himself
for the opening. When at last Brown
| low, comprehended. he suddenly
checked himself ard stared at Tom In
silent surprise, but In moment ne
drew a long face. which put tho finish
ing touch to his callers discourage
ment 50
you're not In earnest" Browhlow
! voiced his misgiyinRs. solamnly wag
ging bis head. but nevertheless main
! tanning an Interested scrutiny upoI
/ the young man. Why, should you b,
! looking for such a hinetg"
because want tho money! wal
= thu hAhht ppttoN+ ANU TAKE nv
word for 1t. Mr.. Brownlow. I'm ii
earnest If you doubt my quaiitica
tions"
The other raised sileneing hand
Il kopw all about them said he
Crisply, m -olse shouldn't hav'
} broached the matter to you in the tirs
+ place, supposed your interest an,
, activity in yachts and yachting woul,
4 ensbIe you to put me in the way 8
{ I'm ,ng What ] wanted: didn't expec
] that you would err ahern
Tom took the words out OF hi
, mouth. .54a., n,. .-.s.,. 81. t,...,s. f....ss
strike YOU fer the Job myself. Ell
/, Well. ! hayeH ufsst 1.s .sa 3l
y RrownloS seated himself at hi
/ desk. upon which he thoaghtetin
drimmed With hts fingers. every nos
+ and then directing sharp glance a
2 his caller Toas was beginning 20 rea,
6 iFeg that the employment OF a captai
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\ some days this appsars 70 be inafTex