The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-09-21

"Mr Bromfield 10 see you. STR" he
said.
Been here long? inquired Water
man.
About a quaier ot an hour. SIR"
Waterman grunied and passed into
his library. The visitor was sitting
comfortably Oh the divan. smoking
cigar. 80
SORRY to he late, Bromfield," said
Waterman, ''but couldn't help it."
Don't apologize" answered his Wis
itor. "rve been very comfortable here.
Nice place you've got"
"Yes. not bad"
"Three or four good etchings, I see,"
continued Bromfield, his eye rowing
over the wall "Mind telling me where
you got the Rembrandt in the cor
ner?"
mot at ALL" said Waterman, ''picke(
it up one day in an old print shop il
Paris"
Cheap"
"Not very. Want to buy it?"
"Yes, at price,"
SWELL" said Waterman, sitting down
and lighting a cigarette, "today it's
not for sale. Yesterday it might have
BEEN"
Good" said Bromtield. settling his
waistcoat comfortably around his rO-
tund figure. Good news, them"
Excellent" replied the younger
man. 81 became engaged to Miss Colby
last evening"
Splendid" said Bromfield. He got
to his feet, strOlled over to Waterman
and offered his hand. "COngratula-
tons, my boy. congratulations"
Thanks"
THAT means lot to you. know"
"You said it,"
"Yes. and it means a little some
thing to me-" returned the other, with
grin.
"Very good of YOU" replied Water
man, rather testify. Ii annoyed him
that he should be compelled to speak
of such matters to this man.
If Bromfield perceived his irritation,
he ignored it and continued: II am
extremely glad to hear of this good
news, but | hope under the circum-
stances you will not think II imper-
tinent of me if | ask how soon | can
be sure of receiving some corrobora-
ton from an independent sources"
Waterman swallowed the yelled af-
front and said, Every soon. 1t will be
announced some day this week."
Delighted" returned the gambler
affably. Delighted, my dear boy. /
know you won't mind my interest iE
the matter. AS you know, business is
business, and gamblers must live. Ii,
therefore, as you assure me, your en-
gagement to this lady is to be pub
licly announced some time this month,
| shall be very glad to postpone the
settlement of your obligations to me
until a reasonable time after your
marriage"
Thanks" said Waterman briefly.
II wish that could have settled the
matter up long before this But you
know things have gone awfully badly
with me- I've had the devils own
luck, and-well-yOu know how 1t is"
sob, yes, | know, know" said the
other, with a genial wave of his pudgy
hand. at never rains but it pours."
The valet entered with telegram
which he handed to Waterman and re-
tired.
"Very well, them" said Bromfielo,
"I'll not keep you any longer; but re-
member" and his voice, though
amiable, carried with il certain men,
ace, a menace altogether too well un-
derstood by Waterman, "Tm relying
absolutely upon your word in this mat
ter"
"You may safely do so, assure you.
It's going through. And now that it's
all settled and | can begin TO see my
way out of the woods, | should like to
thank you for your forbearance."
mot at all. not at all. You've been
good customer of mine. Why
shouldn't treat you well?"
Thanks all the same. Good-day."
Waterman lad a presentiment that
he was not going to like the contents
of that telegram and he was right.
With extreme distaste be opened 1t
and read:
"Meet me tonight at the Barclay.
Seven o'clock" There was no sigma
ture.