River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-08-14

after all, his evidence OF identity, if
sufficient for himself, might fail to con
vince another. 1t would be useless to
appeal to the local police force, for these
reasons.
"An impudent and madcap freak,
Mr.. Hooker, what may be your excuse,
growled Mr.. Hollis. "If you want to
leave the office in hurry again to over
take anybody any body, sir be good
en- ough to ask leave"
Bernard was compelled to promise
that he would. For the rest of the after
noon he went on his way with the tedious
columns of figures in a state Of mental
agitation and chagrin unparalleled since
the days on which he had first learned
that his parents bankruptcy was I'M
ayoidable.
"Those scraps of paper, Mr.. Styles,
had better ornament the waste basket
than the floor.
The hangers accents were harsh and
querulous his temper seemed to have
been soured for the day by Bernard
Hooker's escapade.
Il have dropped them, SIR" replied
the inculpated junior, resentipg as
much as he dared the implied charges
of untidiness. Cone fell from your
own desk, and the other was left behind
by the gentleman whom Mr. Hooker
| tried to catch"
Bernard's ears tingled anew What
if the aforementioned fragment should
bear upon its surface some clew to the
villains assumed name or whereabouts.
BY easy stately he gained possession
r. 10 10 hn1f
envelope, with the letters "Joyn-"
on one side, and the postmark "lckford"
on the other. This might or might nor
lead TO a discovery
In the solitude of his own apartments
that evening Bernard Hooker searched
out the name of lclford ON Brad
shaw's map. He found it to be that of
small town in the north of England.
Whatever the consequence, I'll run
down there and make inquiries. If
win, the game will be worth the can
de-" he soliloquized.
And the next day note in the bank
letter box accounted though hardly
satisfactorily to the critical judgment of
Mr.. Hollis-for the second clerks alb
sence.
At Ickford the trail Enthusiastically
struck. Skilful investigation showed
that q Mr.. Representatives. outward
man appeared to tally precisely with
Demands tch-description- had been
staying at the chief hotel for several
weeks, and had posed as an individual
of position and wealth Alas il showed
also that he had decamped with both
bag and baggage few hours before
Demands arrival
Fooled a second time" moaned that
young man, in bitterness of spirit.
"The scamp has smelt danger, and prob
ably will make for South America or
some other safe hiding place in earnest
now"
With hopes sinking rapidly below ze-
70 again, Bernard took ticket for Lon
don He would put a professional de-
tective on the track and then return to
Fembury If Mr.. Hollis dismissed him
for his pains, he must just reeommence
his weary fight with fortune in some
other arena.
why, Bernard This is an agreeable
surprise indeed | was wondering not
above a day OF two ago what had be-
come of my ancient ally SO many
pranks as we've been guilty of together!
Ha, hal"
The speaker was Frank Allerton, Ber-
nard's dearest college chum, and young
Northern squire, whose sister Amy -
but this was romantic dream which
had faded into an absurdity in the thick
gloom of environing disaster Why re-
call it?
The new conner had joined the train
at Cotch1y Junction, and, like Bernard,
was bound for the metropolis. As the
friends were alone in the compartment,
Bernards story was soon told
"And are you hunting the rascal
DOWN."
II have attempted it, and he has
beaten me-"
"What sort of a fellow is he-in per
sonal appearance, mean?"
For the fourth or fifth time Bernard
ran glibly over the salient characteristics
of that figure which fate, rather than
any conscious mental effort, had photo
graphed so infinitely upon his memory.
at is he exactly" cried Frank Aller-
ton, with an almost ludicrous combina-
ton of amaZement, disgust and wrath
mirrowed upon his countenance. "Why,
the fellow has been living at Beckham,
within stones throw of our own manor
house, for eight OF nine months. Mr..
JOHNSON"
eyes, that IS the name he is using"
"Is reputcl in the village to be worth
half million of money, more or less.
He is the resource of all the amateur
mendicants in the district figuring MS
q we'll to-do bachelor, he has even dared
to make certain proposals for my sisters
hand Amy refused his hand sorely on
the ground Of disparity of years.
Not sorely on that ground, Bernard
took leave to hope, in despite of his
friends dogmatism. But he had no
word to answer at the moment. And
there was excuse for his tempory be-
wilderment in the presence of so strange
and unlocked for q revelation. In the
hour of his darkest despair the fair
promise of contingent victory had come.
"What restless and daring hypocrite
the man must bew Frank continued.
''I'll admit / never liked him from the
first, but had no idea of such sword
of Damocles being suspended over his
head. Amy has had lucky escape,
and she will think So"
At last Bernard regained his power
of utterance.
"Ill go to London now" hc said,
''apply for warrant, and acquaint my
father with the facts; and then, in COM
pany with police officer, seek out Mr..
JOHNSON at home"
This programme was fulfilled, and
success crowned the enterprise. A few
weeks later commercial circles were
discussing everywhere a new cause ce-
lebre, and the strange change of events
as unfolded in the speech of counsel for
the prosecution-by which not only had
notorious swindler been immeshed in
the net of the law, but stolen bonds had
found their way back into the Golfers of
the rightful owners.
But not the least happy result to
Bernard Hooker was that no learned
from Amy Allerton's own sweet lips
that at least one reason beyond that of
age had existed for her refu sal of Arch
er Glennings suit. She had already
bestowed her heart upon her brothers
friend.
Her hand soon followed. And now
Bernard Hooker-a rising and popular
barrister-sometimes tells his wife with
q smile that on certain memorable
May day he chased fortune in two
senses.
-s---~----
0uaay. ideas About the Dead.