At the Time Appointed

"Hang it all!" answered the other, somewhat testily, secretly a little

jealous of the growing intimacy between his partner and Darrell;

"supposing I can, is there any need of your dipping in your oar about

it? Do you think I need any suggestion from you in the way of

befriending him or standing by him?"

"No, Dave," said Mr. Britton, pleasantly, dropping into a chair by Mr.

Underwood's side, "I did not put my question with a view of making any

suggestions. I know, and Darrell knows, that he hasn't a better friend

than you, and because I know this, and also because I am a friend to you

both, I was interested to ask you what you intended doing for him."

"What I intended doing for him and what I probably will actually do for

him are two altogether different propositions--all on account of his own

pig-headedness," was the rather surly response.

"How's that?" Mr. Britton inquired.

"Why, confound the fellow! I took a liking to him from the first, coming

here the way he did, and after what he did for Harry there was nothing I

wouldn't have done for him. Then, after his sickness, when we found his

memory had gone back on him and left him helpless as a child in some

ways, I knew he'd stand no show among strangers, and my idea was to take

him in, in Harry's place, give him a small interest in the business

until he got accustomed to it, and then after a while let him in as

partner. But when I broached the subject to him, a week ago or so, he

wouldn't hear to it; said he'd rather find some work for which he was

adapted and stick to that, at a regular salary. I told him he was

missing a good thing, but nothing that I could say would make any

difference."

"Well," said Mr. Britton, slowly, "I'm not sure but his is the wiser

plan. You must remember, Dave, that his stay with us will probably be

but temporary. Whenever that portion of his brain which is now dormant

does awaken, you can rest assured he will not remain here long. He no

doubt realizes this and wishes to be absolutely foot-loose, ready to

leave at short notice. And as to the financial side of the question, if

you give him the place in your mill for which he is eminently fitted, it

will be fully as remunerative in the long run as the interest in the

business which you intended giving him."

"What place in the mill do you refer to?" Mr. Underwood asked, quickly.

"Oh, I'm not making any 'suggestions,' Dave; you don't need them." And

Mr. Britton smiled quietly into the fire.

"Go ahead and say your say, Jack," said the other, his own face relaxing

into a grim smile; "that was only a bit of my crankiness, and you know

me well enough to know it."