Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-04-10

ing countenance of the younger lady.
AT last!" were the only words that
came from between his white teeth, as
the vehicle passed on.
Then, with cynical smile upon his
face he once more Joined the onward
| surge Of the crowd.
Half an hour later he shook himself
free from the rolling pillows, and en-
tered a narrow court, by means of
which he was enabled to reach a street
leading to the poorer regions.
Suddenly he paused before house,
a shabby looking affair, where a dirty
little paper in the windows announced
that apartments were to be let
Some Quixotic notion seemed to
possess him, for he gave a quick look
UP and down the street, laughed a
little harshly as though In judgment
upon his contemplated action, and
then boldly sounded his knuckles upon
the door.
A frowsy woman opened it.
You have rooms for hire, madam"
asked the marquis. in the best OF Eng
lish.
She was rather appalled, at the ap-
pearance Of such "howling SWELL" as
she was inclined to consider a fashion
ably dressed gentleman, and very
humbly answered that 1t was true,
though surely none to suit his lord
ship.
II am not so certain of that" he
replied quickly, 'for am looking to
find sky parlor for friend of mine.
painter. who will furnish 1t at his
convenience"
The woman's face grew brighter
II 1t was an attic the gentleman
was looking for. she did have one va
cant; it had even been occupied for a
season by an artist. who was pleased
to say the light was exceptionally
good
She led the way to the attic and the
marquis followed.
From object to object he glanced.
and upon the yawning aperture,
yclept fireplace, his gaze seemed to
linger longest.
With calm voice ha inquired the
price Of the attic. and upon being told
Immediately paid three months rent
In advance.
Then he seemed DESTROYS of being
rid Of her presence. and expressed a
desire to be left alone for half an
hour.
So the woman went below to relate
| fairy stories of the Prince Bountiful
whom she had unwittingly entertained,
and boast Of the new artist lodger
who was to occupy one of the attic
| rooms.
And the stranger In London stood
there In that upper chamber, motion
less, evidently overcome by memories
that crowded upon his mind.
AS he stood, musing on the strange
and remarkable vicissitudes of for
tune, he heard footstep dragging
YEARLY up the stairs, and thinking 1t
was the landlady, he did not move.
Then door was closed, and he heard
key turn in the lock-
Some person had entered the adjoin-
ing room, probably a counterpart OF
the one he occupied. Yes, there could
be no doubt about 1t since he now
caught voices.
Unconsciously the marquis listened
Evidently something had given him a
great shock, for his attitude betrayed
this, as he stood there, with one hand
half raised, his head bent sideways,
and evidently intent upon hearing
what was said beyond the thin parti-
ton. while to himself he was mutter-
ing:
Marvellous. indeed-the hand of
fate. After two weeks OF searching
through half of London, and now to
discover her by chance-to occupy the
adjoining room. All! this is kind, in
deed; but one Of the many favors with
which have been blessed by an indul-
gent fortune"
AS he listened, he discovered to his
dismay that there was a sound of low
weeping in the next room.
He heard a window lowered, which
struck him as singular, as the air was
very close on this balmy Jubilee day.
us there no escape, dearest?" said a
voice that seemed half muffied by the
bed clothes, and yet one knew instinct
lively that 1t belonged to an aged wo-
man.
"None. whatever, Aunty. We have
endured everything that mortal can on
earth. There is nothing left for us
but this one resort" came in low,
quavering voice that somehow caused
intense emotion to pass over the mar
quis' face. possibly because the speaker
was a woman and in trouble.
Then God forgive us!" said the
crac.ed voice, very reverently.
Hush. Aunty, dear; say no more,
have keyed myself up to the desperate
or you will unnerve me Just when I
pitch. Happiness was never meant for
me: doomed to always sup with pow
erty. Kiss me again, Aunty. Soon
will come and lie at your side, where
your arms can enfold me; dearest
arms that have so many times crushed
me to loving heart"
The marquis was strongly shaken
for a man whose untold millions were
the wonder and marvel of Lombard
street. to be thus brought face to face
with the direst poverty. was a rude
shock.
Suddenly he became aware OF the
fact that some noxious gas came to his
attention. He shifted at the charged
air suspiciously. and decided on the in
slant that 1t was the fumes Of smold-
ering charcoal. Then the dreadful sig
nifcance Of what he had heard. the
prayer for pity and forgiveness. the
gradually dying murmur Of voices
good heavens! 1t meant the desperate,
poverty-stricken wretch's last fling at
outrageous fortune, the sole relief from