The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-12-21

sont to herself and would have welcomed
any outburst that would be directed
against her alone. In this excited state, /,
being brought, as it were, to bay, she
had the temerity to say:
You were wrong about one thing,
and you may also be wrong in thinking
Dlck-in-in what you think about
Dick"
The old man darted one lowering
look at her, and though she trembled
che welcomed the glance as indicating
the success of her red herring.
"What was l wrong about?"
You were wrOng-Mr. Hammond
knows Dick is a member CT the club.
He is a member himself, and he insist
ed that Dick join. That's why he raised
his salary"
"a likely storyl Who told you that?"
"Dick told mo himself"
"And you believe it, of course"
Saunders laughed in a sneering, cynical
sort of way and resumed his scrutiny OF
the clock. The old gave up the
fight and began to weep silently, hoping,
but in vain, to hear the light step of
her son approaching the door. The
clock struck tho hour. The old man rose
without a word, drew his hat farther
over his brow and left tho house.
Up to tho last moment Mrs. Saunders
hardly believed her husband would
carry out his threat. Now, when she
realized he was determined, sho had ono
wild thought of flying to the club and
warning her son. A moments consid-
Grafton put that idea out of the ques-
ton. She calll the serving maid, who
came, rs it seemed to the anxious WON
an, with exasperating deliberation.
lame" she cried. "do yop know
know where Center street ISL"
Jane knew neither club nor locality.
Il want a message taken there to
Dick, and it must go quickly. Don't
you think you could run thero''-
1T would be quicker to telegraph,
ma'am," said Jane, who was not anx-
ious to run anywhere. "There's tele-
graph paper in Mr.. Richards room, and
the Office is just round the corner"
"That's it, Jane. I'm glad you
thought of it. Get me a telegraph form.
Do make haste"
She wrote with u trembling hand ~
plainly as she could, so that her son
might have no difficulty in reading:
Richard Saunders, Athletic Club, Center
Street:
Your father IS coming to see you. He will
DO at tho club before half an hour.
There is no need to sign it; he will
know his mothers writing, " said Mrs.
Saunders as she handed the message and
the money to Jane, and Jane made no
comment, for she knew as little of tele-
graphing rs did her mistress. Then tho
old woman, having done her best, prayed
that the telegram might arrive before
her husband, and her prayer was an
swnred, for electricity is more speedy
than an old mans legs.
Meanwhile Mr.. Saunders strobe along
from the suburb to the city. His stout
stick struck the stone pavement with q
sharp click that sounded in the still,
frosty night air almost like Il pistol shot.
He would show both his wife and his
son that he was not too old to be mas
ter in his own house. He talked angrily
to himself as he went along and was
wroth to find his anger lessening as he
neared his destination. Anger must be
very just to hold it's own during a brisk
walk in evening air that is cool and
sweet.
Mr.. Saunders was somewhat abashed
to find the club building q much more
imposing edifice than he had expected.
There was no low, groggy appearance
about the True Blue Athletic edifice. 1t
was brilliantly lit from basement to at
tlo. A group of men, with hands IN
pockets, stood on the curb as if V citing
for something. There was an air of CO.
casion about the place. The old man in
quired of n Of the loafers if that was
the Athletic club.
eyes, it is" was the answer. care
you going in?"
81 intend to-"
CAR you a member"
no"
"ttot an invitation?"
"No."
"TLen l suspect You won't go in.
We've tried every dodge ourselves"
The possibility of not getting in had
never occurred to the old gentleman,
and the thought that his son, safe with
IN the sacred precincts of Il club. might
defy him logged his tagging anger
and aroused bis dogged determination.
III try, at least" he said, going up
the stone steps.
The men watched him with q smile
ON their lips. They saw him push the
electric button, whereupon the door
opened slightly. There was a brief, un.
heard parlcy then the door swung wide
open, and when Mr.. Saunders entered
it shut again.
We'll, I'm blcssedl' said the man
on the curb. 81 wonder how the old
dmifer worked it: / wish. 7 had asknd
ILL., Nohe OF the rest made any com.
ment. They were struck dumb with
amazement at the success of the old
gentleman who had even to ask if that
were the club.
When the porter opened the door, no
repeated one of the questions asked a
moment before by the man OH the curb.
Have you an invitation, sir?"
NO. answered the old man. deftlv
placing his stick so that the barely
opened door could not be closed until it
was withdrawn. "No. | want to see
my son, Richard Saunders. Is he in.
side?"
The porter instantly threw open the
door.
"Yes, sir, 1" he said. "They're expect-
Ing you, sir. Kindly come this way,
SIR"
The old man followed, wondering at
the cordially Of his reception. There
must be some mistake. Expecting him?
HOW could that bep He was led into q
most Sumptupna marion x,box, -