A FRIEND IN DEED.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6024, 15 December 1890, Page 4

A FRIEND IN DEED.

fBY MAJOR ALFRED R. CALHOUN.]

CHAPTER XII. (Continued)

Bert Reeves opened his wallet and disclosed a large number of crisp, now bills of large denomination.

"Wait!" said Leo, jumping down from his perch. ' • You, no doubt, mean business, but that does not mean that I am ready for it. I must takn timo to think this thing over." " How loujr do you want?" " A week." " Can't you decide sooner ?'' " I could." " Then why not do it?" " Because it is too important a matter to deoide hastily." " I am glad to see you so prudent," said Reeves, returning the wallet to his breast pocket. " How long a time do you want to think it over?" "A week." "Not less?"

" I. might decido sooner, but I want to make sure. I think it is only fair that I should giro my employers warning if I am going to leave them," said Leo, with a fine assumption of candor.

"Then you acknowledge that you are employed ?" " No, sir ; I simply do not deny it. But, if you mean business, Mr Reeves, put your proposition into writing, and let mo have it."

" Into writing .' " exclaimed Reeves, " Yes."

" Oh, no ! I'm not such a fool as that. Writing is all very well for the butcher and baker and candle-stick maker, but while my tongue servos me I shall depend upon it to make all my contracts. Now, I think you understand me," said Reeves, rising from his chair and putting on his hat. "Oh, I understand you, perfectly; better, indeed, than you imagine. But, here is your pistol—l came near forgetting it; a quick-tempered man, like you. should never carry a pistol; it may get you into trouble," said Leo, as bo returned Reeves his weapon.

Bert Reeves bit his lip, though he pretended, as ho hid his pistol, that it was all a joke, and that ho would not injure any human being, oxoept in defenoe of his own life.

'' Where aro we to meet again, Mr Park?'' asked Roeves, when they had gone out through the shop to the street.

" At the Home Club."

" Wero you ever there ?" asked Reovos, in surprise. "Novor; but I know a good deal about

"Ah, you seem to know everything. Very well; moet me thero to-morrow night at ten. What say you?" Loo said, " All right," and without more ceremony, tho two parted.

Mr Park came baok, and lighting a cigar, he sat down bosido Signor Vesta, in whoso judgment he had unbounded faith, and at once proceeded to suppose a case. " If you had a chance, signor, to make four dollars where now you aro making on«, would you tako it ?" "Ha !" grunted tho signor, "you show me such a work-a, zen I show-a what I do."

" You would take tho thing that promisod most money?" " Yees—every time." " But suppose the man that gave you the least money was your best friend?" " No, no, Leo !" said the old man, " zat could not-a be; zo man zat gife most money is ze most friend.'" "As a rule, you are right," said Leo. "But thinking makes mo hungry; I will chango my attire a bit, then we'll go out and get a feed. Nothing like a hearty midnight supper for a sound sleep." The two men had supper, but instead of going to bed, they sat up till daylight talking over supposititious cases. The next morning Loo roceived a letter from Wilson Oliver, asking him to call at the office at ten o'clock ; and on his reaching thero the young lawer said : " Loo, I want you to take a trip." " When ?" asked Leo. "To-day." "Whereto?"

"I don't just know; hut this aftornoon Mr Jerome and his daughter aro going to 2S"e-w York, and from there to some watering place, for the young lady's health is very bad. I want you to leave ou tho samo train, and keep them in sight, reporting to mo from time to time," said Wilson Oliver, with the positive manner of ono who could listen to no refusal.

Leo Park stroked his forohoad in f. perplexed way. There was a contest between tho good and tho bad in his nature—such a contest as most men havo experienced at somo timo. At length ho said :

"I have an engagement with Bert Reeves to-night. I thought 1 would hold back my reference to this till I saw how things were going to turn out; but on second thoughts I guess it is bettor to have no secrets from you —at least not wliilo lam in your service."

Then, to tho youm,' lawyer's great surprise, Leo told him of tho adventure of the night before and of Bert Itt'ews's offer. Wilson Oliver was usually very quick to think, but this information staggered him ; 80 that it was some minutes before he could get his wits about him. At length he said : " Loo, you must stay in Philadelphia for tho present, and you must appear to f ill in with the offer of this man. My word for it, even as to money, you will be "better off at the end by remaining truo to mo and to yourself." " I guess that's so," said Leo. " But who is to watch Mr Jerome and his daughter if that should bo necessary ?"

"My r"al object is to watch Reeve* who will ho sure to follow them up. I will leave on the same train with Mr Jerome this afternoon, and you must keep truck of Reeves. Will you do it ?" said tho young lawyer.

Without hesitation, Leo Park took the proffered hand, and said, with fervor : " By Jinks, I'll do it." "Aud," said Wilson Oliver, as he took out his pocket-book, " you may want more money than you think for before I see you again. Here is live hundred dollars for expenses. lam sure you will use it to advantage, aud I am equally sure that you will boat Reeves, now that ho has challenged you to play the samo game." Tbo lawyer understood human nature ; he certainly understood Leonidas Park, for all that y"'ing man's doubts wero set at rest, and ho inwardly blamed himself for even entertaining a thought that might be disloyal.

With a better understanding than ever, tho two men parted, Loo to keep his appointment with Bert Reeves, and Wilson Oliver to prepare—in the interest of his absent friend—for a journey he knew not whither. |TO BE CONTINUED. I