Year: 1875

not notice the quiet look Of covert satisfac
ton as he replied


''There is a way to pay the note, and one
way only, unless you obtain from some
stock holder temporary loan.


81 cannot do that it would create
alarm and suspicion in their minds, and in
dictate our weakness.


''Then issne more stock.


As he spoke the words words conveying
an insinuation Of inquiry, Cecil Esmond
started


What do you mean,' he asked, his
face turning shade paler Do you
not know that would be fraud Our stock
Is limited and secured by the government
for certain amount, and that amount we
have reached. To issue more would not
only be dishonorable but it would be
criminal


Eugene Faber lowered his eyes and did
not reply for a few moments. Covertly
he watched his cousin and finally said


| do not propose any such dishonor-
able course


What, then


| propose to issue certificates Of stock
to the amount Of ten thousand pounds.
We have the blanks here, and the non
registry no one need know o. Old Solo.
mon Nassar, the Jewish money lender,
will advance the needed five thousand
pounds for sixty days, holding the stock
as collateral security"


Cecil Esmond reflected deeply for few
moments. His moral perceptions wavered
at the half lf-compromlse between right and
wrong He saw no possible error in the
operation Of the project suggested by his
cousin. The stock when redeemed could
be destroyed and no one be the wiser. 1t
was a forced eXpedient and was only so
tar wrong as to he a departure from the
laws of the country in manner. He was
in predica;nent which required some
decisive action, and he decided, in view of
his present great emergency. to consent to
the arrangement.


see no other way a. do than the
plan you suggest" he said to his cousin.
" 1t Is a miserable business, but there
seems to be NJ other way out One thing
however, las | leave you to engineer the
affair through) | must insist upon The
jew 10 whom you leave the stock as col
lateral security for a temporary loan must
be made acquainted With the facts 81 the
case HIS security must be the knoa ledge
that II We do not redeem the bonds ne
holds our reputation aud liberty in his
possession. He must know Of their non
registry. Hand me the blank bonds and
will sign my name.


Eugene Faber asserting TO Nhat he SAID
drew several blank stock bonds from a
drawer of his desk, and said


You can sign your name, and | will
MI them ont and attend to the rest of the
business. We can make the deposit and
meet the note at once


As II anxious to dismiss the unpleasant
task from his mind, Cecil Esmond signed
the bonds, ana then arising said as he
withdrew from the room


" My conscience does not entirely allow
me to feel safe in dong as do Only the
most sangume expectation Of an carly
consignment Of ore from Australia war
rants me ~ resortlng to this subterfuge
I hope no error will grow from this course
ot action on our part


You need apprehend no trouble on
that score, replied the secretary as his
cousin left the room and left him alone.


The most extraordinary change in his
features and demean0r took place as he
found himself alone. A wild triumphant
and vlndictlye smile Wreathed his hps, his
eyes tiamed from an excess of excited pas
sion within, ana he exclaimed


. AT last At last after years Of patient
waiting stand in position from which |
may command the ruin Of this man whom
hate as | love life. At last the drudgery
OF years Is to be rewarded bv his ruin. and
hp SCI xxl ltah |
feet has come to perfection. The stock
Dohos nlled out, and then the man Cecil
Esmond who has loved the woman | love.
who has been the petted favorite and child
OF luxury, shall be a nameless beggar. a
refugee from justice. What though |
lose money and position, | shall ruin
and degrade him, gam the fair Eveline
Berton, and secure the revenge | have
been waiting for tor all these long years in
silent patience. The first part OF the plan
Is perfected and ready If Bill Forest i:
here by noon to-day, the setting of the
sun will witness the failure of the Austria
Ian Gold Mining Company and the attain
ment of my fondest hopes and revenge.


As he spoke the door opened leading
from the counting-room and the lageriec
porter Of the place ushered in A
the sight Of WI r. wa Faber cav,
utterance TO =. eE..l.....Ion Of evIden
gratlhcation and surprise.


Forest he calculated as the porte
wit lrew, = You have come in time. Th
Shooting Star mails will not be here 70
three hours yet. If there will be no i'll
terruption let rs proceed to business
To BE CONTINUED.