“He is not in the least premature,” Steele intervened quietly. “Since our conversation a while ago, Mr. Blair, I have sold out all my Michigan Central Stock with some of my Northern Pacific, and have invested in Manateau Midland.”
“Ah, then you are one of us,” cried Beck, with enthusiasm; “I wish I had known you before you made the transfer, because I could have introduced you to brokers who would have done the job at the same rate they transact business for us, which I may add is a considerable shade lower than the general public pay. In future if you have any dealings on the market, I shall be glad to give you the benefit of both advice and introduction, which may result in your saving money.”
“I am an investor, rather than a speculator,” replied John, “and more anxious to get good securities than exorbitant dividends.”
“A very wise rule of conduct,” said the Colonel, nodding his head sagely several times; then, abruptly changing the subject, he once more expressed his pleasure at making the acquaintance of John Steele.
“I live part of the year in New York, and part in this city,” continued the Colonel, “for I am a native here. I arrived a week ago, and to-morrow night we give a little house-warming which I should be glad, Mr. Steele, if you would attend. Not a great crush, you know; a homely gathering rather than a fashionable function, but you shall meet very choice people there, eh, Blair? You’ll corroborate me in that, I’m sure?”
“Yes, Colonel,” responded Blair, “you are altogether too modest. Your dinners might well form a model to Lucullus, and I can assure Mr. Steele that he will meet people whom it may be a great advantage for him to know. Now, there’s a handsome, unsolicited testimonial.”
“No, by Jove, it was solicited, wasn’t it?” cried the genial Colonel, rubbing his hands together. “Well, Mr. Steele, may I depend on you? You will forgive the shortness of the notice, because of the shortness of our acquaintance.”
John Steele accepted the invitation with a cordiality equal to that with which it was tendered.
The prediction of both the stout gentlemen that John Steele would meet interesting people whom he should be glad to know was more than fulfilled, although his joy of new acquaintance was concentrated on one person.
Miss Sadie Beck was the most beautiful girl Steele had ever seen. Her face was sweet and innocent; her complexion of purest ivory tinted with dawn, the colours that go with hair of Californian gold, profuse and waving; the whole entrancing picture being lighted up by eyes as blue as a June sky.