ness of mine,
you know, and my wallet had slipped out of my pocket. I chanced to open
my eyes, when I saw it in the hands of your promising nephew, ha! ha!"
"He told me that."
"But he didn't tell you that he was on the point of appropriating a part
of the contents? I warrant you he didn't tell you that."
"Did he acknowledge it? Perhaps you misjudged him."
"He didn't acknowledge it in so many words, but I knew it by his change
of color and confusion. Oh, I didn't lay it up against him. We are very
good friends. He comes honestly by it."
Gibbon looked very much annoyed, but there were reasons why he did not
care to express his chagrin.
"On my honor, it was an immense surprise to me," proceeded Stark, "when
I learned that my old friend Gibbon was a resident of Milford."
"I wish you had never found it out," thought Gibbon, biting his lip.
"No sooner did I hear it than I posted off at once to call on you."
"So I see."
Stark elevated his eyebrows, and looked amused. He saw that he was not a
welcome visitor, but for that he cared little.
"Haven't you got on, though? Here I find you the trusted bookkeeper of
an important business firm. Did you bring recommendations from your last
place?" and he burst into a loud guffaw.
"I wish you wouldn't make such references," snapped Gibbon. "They can do
no good, and might do harm."
"Don't be angry, my dear boy. I rejoice at your good fortune. Wish I was
equally well fixed. You don't ask how I am getting on."
"I hope you are prosperous," said Gibbon, coldly.
"I might be more so. Is there a place vacant in your office?"
"No."
"And if there were, you might not recommend me, eh?"
"There is no need to speak of that. There is no vacancy."
"Upon my word, I wish there were, as I am getting to the end of my
tether. I may have money enough to last me four weeks longer, but no
more."
"I don't see how I can help you," said Gibbon.
"How much salary does Mr. Jennings pay you?"
"A hundred dollars a month," answered the bookkeeper, reluctantly.
"Not bad, in a cheap place like this."
"It takes all I make to pay expenses."
"I remember--you have a wife. I have no such incumbrance."
"There is one question I would like to ask you," said the bookkeeper.
"Fire away, dear boy. Have you an extra cigar?"
"Here is one."
"Thanks. Now I shall be comfortable. Go ahead with your question."
"What brought you to Milford? You didn't know of my being here, y
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