The Heir Of Bendersleigh; Or, The Freemason's Promise.

but I can ' t come it , and that ' s the long and the short of it . Besides . which , it ' s a nuisance ; " and having thus delivered himself , he thrust his- ., hands through his hair , and otherwise exhibited an air of indifference to , ¦ what would be generally considered as a bereavement . " You seem to speak your mind at all events , " replied Mr . Grainger .

" Oh , I hate the gammon of condolence , " rejoined Mr . Baker , in a scorn * - . fid tone , " so now let ' s to business , Grainger ; for the fact is , I want to -. know exactly how matters stand . By the bye , where ' s that clerk of yours ? V ¦ " Henry Elliotson , do you mean' ? ' ' "Yes , I don't like that fellow , and I hope he won ' t be here to interrupt- ; us . "

'" He is out to day , " replied Mr . Grainger ; " but I cannot understand : why you should entertain any antipathy to Elliotson , seeing that you have never met him except in this office , and once the other day " at Mrs . Marshall ' s . " " Never mind , " retorted Mr . Baker , " I saw enough of him at Mrs . Marshall ' s , to fix me . I don't want to meet him here any more—that ' s . the long and the short of it . "

" Of course , " began Mr . Grainger , " when you come here upon business , if you desire the absence of Elliotson , he shall be absent , although in the business we have to transact together , I shall be obliged occasionally to consult him . I have known Henry Elliotson , " continued Mr . Graingei-,-mildly , " since he was a child , Mr . Baker . Aye , I knew him before he could know me—even before he could speak—audi never until now heard

the tongue of animosity used against him . You are a rich man , Mr . Baker , now , and he is but a poor clerk , in my office , wholly dependent upon my will . Surely you cannot look upon Henry Elliotson with any feeling like animosity . I say again , that you are a rich man , Mr . Baker . '' " And rich men , Grainger , are not the men to be trifled with . I form . my likings and my dislikings in a hurry , friend Grainger , " replied Mil

Baker , in a rather menacing tone . " You are of course master of your own will , " responded Mi-. Grainger . "Aye , and I'll use it too . I speak my mind too , as you have just said . Now , you were my father ' s agent here in England , and a deuced good thing you made of it , I'll be bound . " Mr . Grainger turned quickly roundand looked the man full in

, young the face , with something like sternness in his countenance ; but he merely , bowed to Mr . Baker , that he should proceed . "Now , it ' s _ either worth having , or it is not . You may be agent fo ? the Bendersleigh estates still , or you may not . It is a matter for your own choice ; " and Mr . Baker twirled Ms ' stick between his finger and his thumb .

" I have been agent for your father many years , " replied Mr . Grainger , calmly , " and I am anxious—very anxious to be still the agent of the Bendersleigh estates—anxious not on my own account , but for the property itself , Mr . Baker—for it is a noble property—and for you . " "Ah , very likely ; " said Mr . Baker , mistaking the manner of the old well thennod

man ; " , a ' s as good as a wink , you know , and I don't