United States or Democratic Republic of the Congo ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He drew a long breath as he brought out the last words of the story he was telling. "And that, Mr. North," he concluded, "is the way the firm of Litterny Brothers, the leading jewellers of this city, were done yesterday by a person or persons unknown, to the tune of five thousand dollars." His eyes turned from the blazing logs to his guest.
"I would like to see it done," said North, with slow emphasis. "Nothing has ever more roused my resentment. I suppose it's partly the loss of the parish-house, but, aside from that, it makes me rage to think of splendid old James Litterny, the biggest-hearted man I know, being done in that way. Why, he'd have helped the scoundrel in a minute if he'd gone to him instead of stealing from him.
I get little exercise, and I miss it. I was on the track team at Yale, you see, and rather strong at tennis." Mr. Litterny smiled, and his smile was full of sympathy. "We try to make a stained-glass saint out of you," he said, "and all the time you're a human youngster with a human desire for a good time.
I shall have to postpone the parish-house, but it shall be only postponed, Mr. North, only postponed." The young rector answered quietly: "As I said before, Mr. Litterny, you have been most generous. We are grateful more than I know how to say." His manner was very winning, and the older man's kind face brightened. "The greatest luxury which money brings is to give it away. St.
Litterny to be suspicious on that point, and the conversation was absolutely in character otherwise. The talker used expressions and a manner of saying things which the jeweller knew to be characteristic of Claflin. "He told Mr. Litterny that he had just made a lucky hit in stocks, and 'turned over a bunch of money, as he put it, and that he wanted to make his wife a present.
As to the parish-house, it's a disappointment, but of course I know that a large loss like this must make a difference in a man's expenditures. You have been very good to St. John's already, a great many times you have been good to us." "It's a disappointment to me as well," Litterny said. "Old St. John's of Newburyport has been dear to me many years.
"It's only that I can't sympathize with your multimillionaire, who loses a little of his heaps of money, against some poor soul to whom that little may mean life or death life or death, maybe, for his nearest and dearest. Mr. Litterny has had a small loss, which he won't feel in a year from now.
Litterny was in his office in the early afternoon of February 18," he began, "when a man called him up on the telephone. Mr. Litterny did not recognize the voice, but the man stated at once that he was Burr Claflin, whose name you may know. He is a rich broker, and a personal friend of both the Litternys. Voice is so uncertain a quantity over a telephone that it did not occur to Mr.
'Now this afternoon this minute, he said, which was just like Burr Claflin, who is an impetuous old chap. 'I want to give her a diamond brooch, and I want her to wear it out to dinner to-night, he said. 'Can't you send two or three corkers up to the house for me? That surprised Mr. Litterny and he hesitated, but finally said that he would do it.
Litterny about another matter, and he spoke of this. He said the police were baffled that he believed now that it could never be traced." "Thank God!" Katherine said, slowly and distinctly, and North stared in astonishment. "What?" His tone was incredulous. "Oh; don't take me so seriously," said the girl, impatiently.
Word Of The Day