The Lamar register., 1919-11-26


and he was not aware of 1t. Isabel
Blair was, consciously. They had been
good friends and verging on something
nearer and dearer, when the tide came
in the affairs OF Clifton. He drifted
with the current, took his good for
tune as fully deserved and blossomed
out into the spendthrift and autocrat
complete.
Isabel was disappointed in a person
she had really liked. AS humble.
plodding clerk in an abstract office,
Clifton had been modest. moderate and
contented. An advertisement In news
paper designating half dozen towns.
where the Central Manufacturing COM
pany was desirous of establishing
branches. caught the eye of Clifton,
one day. He answered II, proving
that he knew the Belleville district
thoroughly, gave good references and
was forthwith appointed official repre-
sentative of the company at salary
of three thousand dollars per year and
commissions.
"Fm like a partner in the firm," he
vauntingly announced. Have my own
stenographer use Of an automobile.
hire and fire and work easy and pay
good" The Central Manufacturing
company specialized In a mineral fer
tilizer and cement. Clifton WAS sup
piled with several tons of booklets. cir
culars and stationery. His set task
was TO educate the district up to the
use OF the special brands put out by
the company and gradually build up q
permanent trade.
at ought to he easy" commented
a local gossip. you being acquainted
with every man in the county"
Easy as falling on a log" replied
Clifton In q self-sufficient way. and
purchased his fourth new suit.
The day that the local newspaper
grandiloquently referred to the fact
that 'our ambitious young townsmsn"
had allowed himself to accept an I'm
portant position, Its columns also con-
tanned an item to the effect that Miss
Beatrice Merton was one Of the heirs
to the estate of relative in another
county. During the initial days Of his
rise in the world Clifton had contin-
ned his bi-weekiy visits to the Blair
home. Already Isabel had noticed and
deplored the change In him. He had
become boastful. almost blatant. She
was poor and worked In q bank as an
underpaid typist.
Beatrice Merton now came In for
full attention. Isabel attributed this
disloyal choice ny Clifton to the abil-
ity of Beatrice to dress well and her
prospective fortune.
One day as Clifton was seated In
his office on tilted swivel chair. his
elegantly encased feet on the desk and
smoking a big cigar, there entered
Young man who presented card bear
ing the name OF the company. and un-
der IL: Arthur Barry. Travelling Au-
ditor."
II am inspecting the new branches"
he announced.
Clifton expanded. He began telling
of how he was popularizing himself
and the company by giving a series
of banquets and the like. His cigar
bills showed that he was no niggard.
His Jaunts about the county. though
expensive, Indicated that he was keep
ing In touch with affairs. II was all
IL" and his Quiet-mannered call
er did not resent In words the palpa-
BILE intimation that "I'' was probably
the most valuable agent the company
had ever employed. and You" a mere
cog in the big machine and a mere
perfunctory quantity.
Mr.. Arthur Barry. as he designated
himself. made neither comment nor
suggestion. He examined the books
and took an automobile trip over the
county. Isabel had heard Of him. had
seen him on the street, and was
good deal surprised as she reached
home from her banking duties one
afternoon to find him awaiting her.
II have ventured to intrude upon
Won. Miss Blair" he said. because I
have some letters and reports to be
written for headquarters. ! cannot find
any public typlst here, and. IL you can
spare me couple of evenings. the com
pensation will he liberal. wish to
say. however. that the work must be
regarded as strictly confidential"
II was so confidential that Isabel al
most gasped after dictation the first
evening. wise and observant young
man this handsome, well-bred stranger
must be, for the ruthless. rigid man
ner in which he showed up the hap
hazard. hit-or-miss business tactics Of
Clifton was drastic in the extreme.