LOVE SHALL BE FIRST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1427, 9 September 1918, Page 6

LOVE SHALL BE FIRST.

By ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT, | Author of "A Tlirht Corner," "The Man Who Was Dead," Etc. ) (All Right* Reserved) CHAPTER 111. (Continued). Sir James was waiting in the lounge, and Frank was able to have a good look At him as he crossed to his chair. The impression was not favourable. Small •f stature and slight, in figure, with a nervous, hesitating, rather underhand manlier, :i weak face, and a feeble smile that "wouldn't, come off," he was the very opposite of the usual type of successful City financier. lie had a little straggling moustache, which he fingered jaorvously as he watched Frank ftp- : proach, holding the card prominently. "Sir James Ledfield?" asked Prank. "Yes, yes, Mr Car veil, is it? The man seemed rather stupid about it, at least 1 thought so,' replied Sir James, rising with a smirk, and speaking with i curious little pauses of breathlessness and putting out his hand half-way, as if. Uncertain whether he was expected tor offer it.

".I am glad indeed to meet you. Sir James," said Frank taking his hand and grasping it with unfashionable cordiality. "It is more than good of you to call so promptly.'' "Well, ! thought I'd kill two birds with ouo stone. The Itit/, is on my way to the City, ami—and it seemed the best thing to do." "Come into the smoke-room, will you? Thero's scarcely a soul in it. and we can find a comer to ourselves."

"Yes —oh, yes, with pleasure; but, I'm afraid J haven't, very much time. I'm by way of being a pretty busy man," replied Sir James, intending to impress, but succeeding only in being apologetic. Frank offered him a cigar, but he preferred ft mild cigarette which ho smoked, like everything else he did, with nervous and rather furtive hesitation.

The discussion of the business followed, and Frank was en refill to make the mutter as alluring as possible, describing the richness of the mineral deposits on the property and referring to his father's wealth, and to large sums awaiting investment.* He perceived that the hit i.e.' appealed most, strongly to his rapt listener; and he dwelt upon it, how he bad been advised to put a few thousands into one concern, more, thousands in an Other, still more into a third and so 01;, and asked his visitor's advice.

Jt was all quite tine. "The bank have l.een advising me, the money V t! 3ie —about thirty thousand pounds—and I fancy my father's idea is that I should see what 1 can make of it. It seems to me the bank's a bit too cautious, you know." His companion's eyes glistened covetously, although he did his best to assume an expression of business indifference as he promised to give the subject attention ns soon as his own affairs would permit. "It's awfully good of you, Sir .lames, but don't let a little thing of this sort interfere with your owu matters. There's no hurry." "But I should like to assist yon. It, would give me pleasure; as a matter ot fact, your letter interested me; interested me deeply. 1 liked the manly, straightforward tone of it. It's a, coincidence, also,, that both my wife and I have a great liking for all one Colonials —especially Canadians.'' "That's very pleasing to hear, sir, I assure you."

“In point of fact she—she would very much like to make your acquainlanee, Mr Carvcll.” Frank did not correct iiini about the name, but bowed and murmured something about its being a mntualdesire—as indeed It was. “Let mo think,” continued Sir dames, putting his linger tips together and fiddling them. “If you’re not a stickler for too much ceremony, would you dine with US tonight? We shall be quite alone, and it would bo an excellent opportunity for our becoming better acquainted. Lady Ledfield would be delighted. ” Frank in his luru affected to think, took out a pocket-book, carefully consulted a blank page, nodded, and then accepted the invitation. Sir James rose then, shook hands with much less flabbiness than before, and went off to the City in the full belief that ho had done a valuable morning’s work. Frank was equally jubilant at the success of. his plan, and after parting from his companion at the door of the hotel, was going back through the lounge in high glee, when a hand was clapped ou his shoulder, and he turned to meet Dewhurst’s look of perplexed astonishment. “How the dickens do you come toknow Sir James Ledfield?” he cried. “He’s my financial adviser,” replied Frank gravely. Ills friend’s face changed to sudden seriousness. “Do you know what you’ve doing, man? Here, come md let’s have a chat over it”; and they wont to the corner of the smoke-room where the business conference had just been ' held. CHAPTER. IV. THE LEDFIELD)?. “Give me a drink, Carton, That little beggar always makes me foci ill,” said Dewhurst as they lit their cigar*. “But, of course, you’re spooling me about him.” “Why should !? Yon know about I tho coin my father insisted upon sending over here to win my financial spurs with; well, I’ve Just had a most important conference with Sir James Ledfield as to its investment,” replied Frank, with the greatest seriousness. “And he’s asked you to dinner, f suppose?” “He was exceedingly courteous and most friendly, and, as a matter of fact, he did ask me to dine with him tonight—Just himself and his wife. He was good enough to say that Lady Led (told wished (o make my acquaintance.” “ Nfttura’ly, ” was Dewhurst’s very dry comment. “They'll take you up, you know, Carton. They are always ready to do it for rich young fellows.” “There’s a note of sarcasm in your voice, I’m afraid, and before you grp any farther you should remember that Sir James is a, friend of mine,” declared Frank in the same serious tone. “Didn’t you tell me that you had the business control of your father’s matters for quite a long time?” 4 ‘ I did; and it’s true. ’ ’ “Then you can’t bo a fool in business. What’s your game?” “Knowing very little of English investments, it is only natural 1 am glad to have the advaalage of the ripe experience of ” “ y <’s, yes. Go if,” interrupted Dewhursl. “The ripe experience, of a weed of u man as shifty as they ’re made and as feeble as anything in a man’s shape could be; a sort of kitten one would feed with milk and water, not too Strong; or give to baby to play with instead of a doll.’’ Frank recognised the justice of the description but looked offended. “I 1 was going to say, a successful and I wealthy business man who has deserved j a title for his services to his country.” {To be continued.)