The Price He Paid — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

' A PLAIN TALK. 45 from sound. He has a decided liberal tendency; he leans to the opposition——” “All the younger men do that,” interrupted the baron. “They are all red-hot reformers, eager to _ set the world to rights, and they consider it a proof of character to do a little in the way of opposition to the government of their country. These ideas tone down in the course of time. Promotion generally works a curein such cases, and I dare say, Assessor Winterfeld’s will be no exception to the rule.” The chief-clerk shook his head doubtfully. “So far as regards his abilities and many personal advantages, I fully concur in the flattering opinion your excellency has formed of him; but certain things have come to my knowledge concerning the assessor, certain things which, I fear, indicate flagrant disloyalty on his part. It is, I regret to say, established beyond all doubt that, on the oc- casion of his last leave of absence he formed in Switzerland the most suspicious connections, and consorted with all kinds of socialists and dangerous revolutionary characters.” “That I do not believe,” said the baron, decidedly. “Winterfeld is not the man to hazard his future in so reckless and objectless a manner. His is not one of those flighty romantic natures which are easily assailable by such temptations. The story has another version, probably. I will inquire into it. As regards the report, labide by my decision. May I ask you to send the assessor to me?” The councilor went, and a few minutes later George Winterfeld entered the room. The young man knew that, in being chosen for the task now before him, an honor was conferred on him above all his colleagues, but the distinction seemed rather to weigh upon than toelate him. He received his chief’s instructions with quiet attention, grasped the short, comprehensive directions fully, caught with apt intelligence the several hints which the governor thought well to give him, and proved by a few pithy remarks that he had made himself thoroughly conversant with the subject before him. | Eomichbooks (E(0)