A GOOD INVESTMENT. 118

 

“T did not understand his name,” replied
the servant.

Mr. Winslow forced as much external
composure as was possible, and then de-
scended to the parlour.

“Mr. Davis,” he said on entering.

“Mr. Winslow,” returned the visitor,
taking the merchant’s hand and grasping
it warmly.

As the two men sat down together, the
one addressed as Mr. Davis, said—

“‘T was sorry to learn, a little while ago,
that you will lose by this failure in Rio.”

“Heavily. It has ruined me!” replied
Mr. Winslow.

“Not so bad as that I hope!” said Mr.
Davis.

“Yes. It has removed the last prop that
I leaned on, Mr. Davis. The very last one,
and now the worst must come to the worst.
It is impossible for me to take up fifteen
thousand dollars’ worth of returned drafts.”

“Fifteen thousand is the amount?”

“Yes.”