The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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670 lowing it up. Examining his watch, he remarked casually: ‘It’s.way past time for lunch, but I haven’t had a chance for a bite since breakfast. I’m pretty empty. Will you join me? Come along.” He took the other by the arm and led the way. “In here,’ he added, as they ap- proached a smart café. ‘It’s a right decent place.” “Quite different from my sort late- _ ly,” commented Fleet as they entered. “I’ve been down to ham and beans at the cheap lunch-counters at fifteen cents per copy.” II. ‘““WitH the training he has had, I think he’s just the man for the place,” Carrington was saying to Mr. Stewart, junior member of a firm of Wall Street brokers. ‘‘ He’s bright, energetic, and shrewd, and has the experience I speak of to back his ambition.” ‘“T shall be pleased to consider your friend, Carrington,” replied the finan- cier. ‘If he’s all you claim for him, he ought to fit in quite well.” ““T assure you I heartily appreciate your kindness in the matter, Mr. Stew- art. If there is at any time any pos- sibility of my reciprocating, be sure to let me know. You can reach Mr. Fleet at this address at any time.” Carrington handed the broker his own card. ‘“He’s stopping with me for present,” he added. ‘Very well. Just as soon as ] have time to see him, I’ll send him word. Good day, Carrington. Thank you for calling my attention to Mr. Fleet.” As Carrington made his way toward his own office, he felt a great degree of satisfaction. He knew he had not over- rated Billy’s ability in his talk with Stewart, and he was sure his friend would prove a valuable acquisition to the broker’s staff. ‘Learning of the vacancy by chance, he had immediately decided to turn his acquaintance with the junior of the firm to whatever advantage he might in the interest of Fleet. When closing time finally arrived, after a hot and busy afternoon, he hur- the THE ARGOSY. ried home, anxious to inform Fleet of the prospect he had unearthed. “It’s the opportunity of your good young life, Bill, my boy,” he declared, slapping his friend on the shoulder. “Those people are so moneyed they can’t count their chips. I believe I created a favorable impression, so yqu need not be surprised to hear from Stewart at any time. He’s a peculiar sort of fellow in many respects, but never mind that. Just play your natural wit with him, and your chances are royal.” Fleet received the good news with un- mistakable welcome. After all he had gone through, he would have considered any proposition that might afford a chance to become just independent once more, and not a patient in Carrington’s charity ward. To be given an oppor- tunity such as this was, in his estimation, little short of providential. ‘“ Now, to celebrate, even if it is in advance,” went on Carrington, ‘ we'll take in one of the roof performances.” They had listened through the first portion of the program, seated well back. “You don’t drink, old man, but you may as well have something soft,” sug- gested Carrington when the curtain dropped. He ordered a fizz for himself. took a tall lemonade. “You're lucky never to have grown a thirst, Fleet, for it’s expensive, to say Fleet the least. But you’ll find in here that they almost all have one. If you look around, you can notice it. Holds good with the women as well as the men— Ah!” Carrington exclaimed. ‘‘ Over there’s Willmore, one of the force. Will you meet him? Good fellow, Will- more. Or would you rather wait a minute till I come back?” ‘“T’ll amuse myself here for a while, Dick. Don’t hurry—I’ll not run away.” Carrington finished his fizz, and with the remark, “ All right. Back in just a minute,” he moved to a near-by table. Fleet scanned his program in a de- sultory manner and fell to musing. At an adjoining table a party of four were conversing gaily, skipping from one topic to another, filling in the time till the next rise of the curtain. Fleet CO OO (Cc (©