The Klondiker paid his court to Mr. Welles. Indeed, he seemed to have for the president of the VanTwiller Trust Company an admiration that closely resembled the worship of a matinée girl for an actress like Maude Adams. It was an innocent sort of worship, but, nevertheless, not displeasing. In men it sometimes makes the worshiped feel paternally toward the worshiper.
Jerningham developed a habit of going every day to the trust company; and he made it a point always to see Ashton Welles, if only to shake hands. One morning he told Mr. Welles he desired advice about an investment. Jerningham, it must be remembered, had on deposit with the trust company over a million dollars, and there were six or seven millions in gold-dust in the company's vault.
"Mr. Welles, I--I," said the Klondiker, so earnestly that he stammered--"I should like to buy some VanTwiller Trust Company stock, to have and to hold as long as you are president."
There was in Jemingham's eyes a look of that admiration that best expresses itself in absolute confidence in the infallibility of a very great man. Welles was a very cold man; but flattery has rays that will thaw icebergs.
Welles nearly blushed and smiled one of his politely deprecating smiles--as if he were apologizing for smiling--and said:
"Why, Mr. Jemingham, I'll confess to you that I myself think well of that stock. I guess we'll keep on paying dividends."
Jemingham smiled delightedly--the king had jested! Then he said:
"I'll buy as much as I can, but I don't want to put up the price on myself. Who can give me pointers on how to pick up the stock quietly? Do you think I should see Mr. Barrows or Mr. Stewardson?"
He looked so anxiously at Mr. Welles that Mr. Welles said, kindly:
"Oh, see Stewardson. I'll speak to him, if you wish."
"Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Welles," said Jer-ningham, so gratefully that Welles felt like a philanthropist as he rang the bell to summon the second vice-president.
"Mr. Stewardson, Mr. Jemingham, wants to buy some of our stock. I want you to help him in any way possible."
"Delighted, I'm sure!" said the vice-president, very cordially. He was paid to be cordial to customers.
"If I had my way I'd be the largest individual stockholder," said Jerningham, looking at Welles almost adoringly.