Part 56 (1/2)
”Yes, it is I--your benefactor, the stingy old file, as you so gratefully call me,” answered the old man sternly.
”Then--you--are--not dead!”
”Not at present. How long I may live I cannot say, but long enough, I hope, to do an act of justice.”
”I am very sorry,” stammered Tremlett. ”Forgive me, sir.”
”I may forgive you, because nothing has happened that cannot be remedied; but I shall never again trust you.”
”Won't you take me back into your service, sir?” entreated John Tremlett desperately.
”Never!” said Mr. Baldwin emphatically.
”What will become of me?” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the miserable young man, shedding maudlin tears. ”I am penniless.”
”I will not wholly cast you off. I will authorize Mr. Brief to pay you eight hundred dollars during the next year, in monthly installments. I hope you will turn over a new leaf.”
”I will, sir; I will indeed,” said Tremlett; but Mr. Baldwin, knowing his past hypocrisy, did not put much faith in his penitence.
”I hope so, for your own sake,” he said briefly. ”You can go now, sir. At the end of a month you can come back, and Mr. Brief will pay you your monthly allowance.”
”How can I live till then?” asked Tremlett. ”Can't he pay it sooner?
I have but a dollar left.”
”Sell some of your jewelry, that diamond ring, for instance. It will maintain you till the money is payable.”
John Tremlett left the office crestfallen, and cursing his foolish prodigality, which had lost him a fine fortune.
”What are your plans, Mr. Baldwin?” asked the lawyer. ”Shall you remain in Montreal?”
”No, Mr. Brief; there is nothing to keep me here now. I shall make my home in the States. This boy I have tested and found to be true gold. He will not deceive me as John Tremlett has. With him and his aunt I propose to make my home for the little time I have left.”
”A very fine boy!” said Mr. Brief, regarding Ben in quite a different light now that he was indirectly acknowledged to be a rich man's heir.
”I shall leave you to manage my property here, Mr. Brief, for the present at least. You will transmit the income to me as it accrues.”
”You shall not repent your confidence, sir,” said the lawyer. ”How soon do you leave the city?”
”To-morrow. Will that suit you, Ben?”
”Oh, yes, Uncle Matthew.”
”He is a lucky boy,” thought Mr. Brief, as the two went out. ”His future is provided for.”
Chapter x.x.xVIII
Conclusion