Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-06

his joyous presence, and with that
young-sounding laugh still echoing in
the ears, that he was released GRIM
inal.
II thank you Tor the compliment.
Savernake answered the last remark
"Do you-er-know Joliet as town at
all. and il SO. are you able to suggest
any special restaurant where you
would choose to breakfast"
Not l." said the young man. I've
been in Joliet, but not Of it. as you
can guess, perhaps. Take me where
you like, do with me what you like.
It's all the same to me, for-as the
song says-Tve a heart for my fate
This was a mood which Sayernake
for many reasons approved. I'm that
case,' he replied, "let me take You to
my own hotel"
He led his companion to the waiting
cab, under the eyes Of the stolidly pers-
piring driver, who had learnt not to
be surprised at anything. The young
fellow sprang in, and Savernake hav-
ing followed, in a moment more the
oddly-assorted pair were driving away.
Explanations were, by common con-
sent, deferred until they should set at
table together, and meanwhile they
discoursed with infinite good nature
on surface matters.
Look upon me as an old friend"
Savernake had vouchsafed as they
started, and No. 40 had jovially agreed
so to accept him, with the air of a
man who is ripe for any adventure.
The dress of the released visitor was
by no means conventional as the En-
glishman regarded conventionality, but
it was not so outre as to excite COM
ment in a Joliet hotel. People clad
themselves much as they liked on hot
summer days in the Illinois prison
town. Therefore those who were
breakfasting in the big, shady dining
room did not cease the momentous
waving of their palm-leaf fans, or the
welding of their forks at sight of the
young giant in blue flannel shirt, with
trousers tucked into his boots, and
shabby straw hat pushed back on his
close-cropped head.
The newcomers sat down, and musk
melons, cut in half and filled with
Jumps of ice were brought to them as
a first course. The younger man ex-
pressed his satisfaction with the delic-
acy. and having done SO proceeded to
dispose of it in rapt silence, while the
elder watched him with keen, half
vailed eyes.
Next came grilled spring chicken,
with Saratoga chip" potatoes, hot
soda biscuits and coffee which a
French chef need not have denied.
After ten minutes industry the prison
bird leant back in his chair and re-
garded his benefactor with frank graf
itude and interest
'qWho was the chap who sold his
birthright for mess of pottage?' he
inquired. Maybe ought to have told
you before I began that | hadn't any
birthright to dispose of"
Don't be too sure of that, Mr.. May
nard,' subtly smiled Savernake.
Eth? Well, I've learnt not to be too
sure of anything. Or, perhaps you in
tend to go on better and ask for my
soul in exchange for square meal.
Anyhow, it was a mighty good one
the breakfast / mean, not the soul
and 1 guess I might have made a
worse bargain
81 certainly have suggestion to Of
fer to you" returned Savernake, slow
ly. But don't take me for Mephis-
topheles"
He wondered, vaguely. If this youth
out of prison would catch his mean
ing, and was pleased to find he did so.
There was intelligence here. it was eY-
ident, and no dense degree of ignor-
ance.
You could play the part as far as
| looks go, sir, though I'd want consid-
cradle touching up as Faust, reckon, >
Maynard made nonchalant reply.
do you feel in a mood for listen
ing?" queried Savernake. We'll, then,
let me begin what have to say by be-
ing egotistical and telling you who l
am
The young man looked receptive, and
the elder went on. He revealed his
name, and even mentioned his place OF
residence, Lurlworth Towers, watching
the face of the other as he did so; but
it betrayed no self-consciousness or
former knowledge of the names pro-
nounced. Evidently, Savernake re-
fected, one woman had belied her sex,
and had kept a certain secret we'll,
even from her nearest and (presum-
ably) dearest one on earth.
Having made Mr.. Maynard acquaint-
ed with such photographed facts as