in in New Zealand,
who sent for him there and procured him a post in a sharebroker's office
as errand-boy. By dint of hard work he rose to be confidential clerk
when he was twenty-three. It was then that the great event happened
which made him. I remember it well. Reg had studied mineralogy
thoroughly and was able to give a pretty accurate forecast of the
capabilities of a mine, and he was often sent to report. One day he was
ordered to 'Dagmar No. 2' and, on his return he gave a most promising
account of it, in face of two experts who had reported it of no value.
The experts were believed and the shares fell, but Reg, to show his
confidence in his own opinion, bought all he could get at a low rate.
His employers and his friends reasoned and argued with him, but to no
avail. All his earnings and all he could raise, he invested in the mine.
His employers were annoyed and he was dismissed. Nothing daunted, he
went off to the mine and offered to manage it for nothing, telling the
directors he would make it pay. They laughed at him, but finally gave
way, especially as his holding was large enough to entitle him to a seat
at the board. Two months later reports began to spread that Dagmar No. 2
had struck a rich lode, and a week later it was acknowledged to be one
of the richest mines in New Zealand. Reg sold out for something like
sixty thousand."

"Come this way," said Amy in a playful way, opening the door, and
leading Reg by the ear. He was carrying a tray of glasses and completely
at her mercy. "This is how I intend to lead my husband."

"Amy, I'm shocked," said Mrs. Whyte, laughing heartily.

"So am I, mother," said Reg, putting down the tray, and gently releasing
her fingers.

Then the conversation became general. In the midst of it the postman's
knock was heard, and letters for Reg and Amy were brought in, which
proved to contain invitations to the annual ball given by the Brixton
Bachelors.

"Oh! Reg, dear, will you go?" cried Amy.

"That rests with you."

"Then we'll accept," said Amy, decisively.

As Northmore bade them good-bye at the gate he said: "Reg, you are a man
to be envied. You have a girl who is a pearl amongst diamonds."

"I know it, old fellow, and I appreciate it to the full."

On the following day acceptances were sent to the invitation of the
Bachelors, and little did that happy circle dream that this ball, about
which they laughed and joked, would be the means of blighting that happy
ho