The Dugdale Millions — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A PERPLEXING COMMISSION. 3 **T asked twice for you,’’ he said at length, ‘‘and was told you were not yet come.’ **No,’’ replied Dick carelessly, ‘‘I ran out of town a short distance last night. One train to return by was much too early, the other a little too late. I took the one a little too late.’ Apparently not heeding the answer, the old mer- chant laid the papers away from his hand and pushed back his chair. **Sit down, Mason,’’ he said, pointing toaseat. “I have amost delicate matter to speak to you about.’’ “*It’s coming,’’ said Dick in an underbreath, as he sat down. ‘You have been connected with this house a num- ber of years,and I and my partners appreciate your abilities and know we can trust you. **f wonder who the deuce told him,”’ muttered Dick. ‘“And I feel,’’ continued the old merchant, ‘‘that the trust and confidence reposed in you justifies me in expecting a return from you in a matter which is without the province of your duties here.”’ Dick replied | with a bow, saying to himself, ‘‘I’ d give half a year’s salary to know who informed him.’ **T have received a letter which greatly annoys me -——so perplexing that I hesitate as tothe course I should pursue.”’ ‘‘I could suggest a course satisfactory to myself,”’ muttered Dick. ‘‘*The matter comes close home to me because it affects my daughter Bessie. She is all I have left, since her mother died, and this thing will affect her hfe very much.’’ ‘*Naturally,’’ said Dick aloud, adding to himself, *‘whether she 1s Mrs. Mason or Mrs. Somebody Else naturally will.’’ The merchant looked into Dick’s face quickly as he inquired: ‘‘Why, naturally? You do not know what it is yet.”’ Comicloo® <S C@ 3