Ruby's Reward — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Walter bowed, and, removing his hat, said ; | Mr Conant, my name is Walter Richard- son, and J have ealled to ask if you are in need of office help ?” “Ah! Do you know anything about my business, Mr Richardson?” inquired Me Conant studying the frank attractive | face of the visitor, ‘Not much, practically,T am afraid, sir, although U have given considerable time and study to certain branches of it, But 1 have a desire to learn it thoroughly, ard have come bo see if I could tind an opening, with that end in view.” My Conant asked him a number of ques- tions, and appeared considerably surprised upon being told that he had been reared by Ralph Carpenter, “Tknew Mi Carpenter well,” he said. “So you are the boy whom he adopted ? Tf he was as fond of you asI have heard, I am surprised at the necessity of your ap- plying to me for employment, for he wasa -yery rich man, and ought to have liberally provided for you.” Walter considered a moment, and then freely told the man just how he wascituated, although he tried to cast as little reflection as possible upon the son of his bene- factor. Mr Conant appeared to he deeply in- terested in his story, and his lips curled <cornfully when Walter mentioned the paltry offer that he had received to induce him to become a plodding clerk. “So you did not feel inclined to take up with Mr Edmund Carpenter's offer?” he observed dryly, as Walter concludstlpests.com fa a _ oo . 7 ee |