That Mainwaring Affair

f the closely drawn shutters in the luxurious private offices of Mainwaring & Co., Stock Brokers, and slender shafts

ere Englishmen, while the fourth might have been denominated as a typical American from the professional class. Of rather slender form, with a face of rare sensitiveness and delicacy, and restl

han those of the remaining two, betokened the polished man of the world as well as the shrewd financier. He wore an elegant business suit and his linen was immaculate; his hair, dark and slightly tinged with gray, was closely cut; his smoothly shaven face, less florid than those of his compani

first visit to the great western metropolis. Between the two cousins there were few points of resemblance. Both had the same cold, calculating gaze, which made one, subjected to its scrutiny, feel that he was being mentally weighed and measured and would, in

nnected with the two cousins. He was the youngest of the three Englishmen and the embodiment of geniality. He was a blond of the purest type, and his beard, par

of the large eastern cities of the United States and embarking upon the uncertain and treacherous seas of speculation in the western world, had sold the estate which for a number of generations had been in the possession of the Mainwarings,

hoping thereby to win back the old Mainwaring estate into his own line of the family. His bit of strategy had succeeded; and now, after more than twenty years, his foresight and worldly wisdom were about to be rewarded, for the occasion of this reunion between the long-separated cousins was the celebration of the r

h Mainwaring, and now that it was over and all necessary arrangements h

attorney and legal adviser. "We have both felt that it should have been attended to before this; and yet, as I considered this would be the most fitting time to make a final adjustment of affairs, I have on that account delayed l

leasant superstitions regarding the mak

t did, I would have the satisfaction of knowing that my own wishes would be carried out in the settlement of my esta

curiously at his cousin

case there were no will the property would revert to our

. Whitney exchanged glances; "but this is not England; here any common adventurer might come forward wit

m more than willing to relinquish any share I might have had for the boy's sake, and

. "I never considered Hugh a bad son-in-law to begin with,

ment of surprise. "'Pon my soul! had no idea it was that late," exclaimed Mr. Thornto

n I anticipated. I will give some instructions

g, when a door opened noiselessl

be at the office for two or three days, unless something of unusual importance should demand my presence. Refer all business c

and after a few furth

e, will be one of our party at Fair Oaks; my secretary will accompany us, and the papers will be drawn up to-mor

which were heard distinctly by the private secretary, now standing beside the desk, "would it not be better to draw up the will here, in you

in a low tone; "my private papers are all at the house, and I choose that this b

escence, and Hugh Mainwari

quickly as possible and get ready to accompany me to F

his elegant suburban residence, and he understood perfectly what was expected of h

n to himself, he always accorded to his private secretary much more res

in the offices of Mainwaring & Co., and an innate refinement and delicacy which kept him, under all circumstances, from any gaucherie on the one hand, or undue familiarity on the other; he was always respectful but never se

usly, recognized in him a true gentleman and treated him as such. Tall, with a splendid physique, finely shaped head, dark hair, and eyes of peculiar beauty, he was far from b