Chapter 11

A BLOT FROM THE BLUE.

So by the cleverness of two girls a dark cloud was
thinned away and turned into sunshine. Over one of them,
alas, another cloud was gathering, which could not be so
easily dispersed. Of these three households which fate
had thrown together, two had already been united by ties
of love. It was destined, however, that a bond of
another sort should connect the Westmacotts with the Hay
Denvers.

Between the Admiral and the widow a very cordial
feeling had existed since the day when the old seaman had
hauled down his flag and changed his opinions; granting
to the yachts-woman all that he had refused to the
reformer. His own frank and downright nature respected
the same qualities in his neighbor, and a friendship
sprang up between them which was more like that which
exists between two men, founded upon esteem and a
community of tastes.

"By the way, Admiral," said Mrs. Westmacott one
morning, as they walked together down to the station, "I
understand that this boy of yours in the intervals of
paying his devotions to Miss Walker is doing something
upon 'Change."

"Yes, ma'am, and there is no man of his age who is
doing so well. He's drawing ahead, I can tell you,
ma'am. Some of those that started with him are hull down
astarn now. He touched his five hundred last year, and
before he's thirty he'll be making the four figures."

"The reason I asked is that I have small investments
to make myself from time to time, and my present broker
is a rascal. I should be very glad to do it through your
son."

"It is very kind of you, ma'am. His partner is away
on a holiday, and Harold would like to push on a bit and
show what he can do. You know the poop isn't big
enough to hold the lieutenant when the skipper's on
shore."

"I suppose he charges the usual half per cent?"

"Don't know, I'm sure, ma'am. I'll swear that he
does what is right and proper."

"That is what I usually pay--ten shillings in the
hundred pounds. If you see him before I do just ask him
to get me five thousand in New Zealands. It is at four
just now, and I fancy it may rise."

"Five thousand!" exclaimed the Admiral, reckoning it
in his own mind. "Lemme see! That's twenty-five pounds
commission. A nice day's work, upon my word. It is a
very handsome order, ma'am."

"Well, I must pay some one, and why not him?"

"I'll tell him, and I'm sure he'll lose no time."

"Oh, there is no great hurry. By the way, I
understand from what you said just now that he has a
partner."

"Yes, my boy is the junior partner. Pearson is the
senior. I was introduced to him years ago, and he
offered Harold the opening. Of