Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-06-04


model landowner" he said to himself,
and incidentally spur him on to do his
best for the boy" A man who was
trimming the grass on the borders of
the road looked up at him in con-
temptuous way as he passed, and then
resumed his work.
Job, who had noticed this, smiled
quietly.
II suppose he thinks 1 am not Il
stylish enough visitor to enter by the
principal road to the house."
He had no hesitation in going up
the great stone steps of the front en-
trance as bravely as if attired for n
gorgeous function. His loud ring
brought man in livery to the door,
who gave him cold stare and did not
attempt to answer when he asked IF
MI. Ellison was at home.
o The flunky was about to close the
door on the seedy visitor. when the
latter deftly inserted Il large, rough
shod foot, saying at the same time:
If you want to keep your place.
young man, you will tell Mr. Ellison
that Mr.. Hendricks would like to see
him on matters of Importance. Do
you hear? Go and do as say!"
These words, delivered in such a de-
cisive tone, satisfied the servant that
he was dealing with some one who had
a right to be there, and he at once be-
gan to mutter apologies.
Never mind about your excuses, but
go and announce me" replied the Wis
ttor gruflly. But see to it that you
don't make such mistake again or
your time here will be short"
The lackey, still mumbling excuses,
disappeared up the stairs. and Job
strobe into the handsome drawing
room without waiting to be asked, and
threw himself down in n chair
AS his glance wandered from the
oriental rugs on the floor to the paint
ings on the WALL and the Brussels lace
curtains on the windows. and then
from the curio- cabinets to the verni-
martin tables loaded with elegant
trities, he sighed.
Honesty certainly pays-honesty on
the surface, with keen roguery to back
It," he muttered. lapsing into a
thoughtful mood
The fellow seemed to be very long
time on his errand, so that the visitor
had ample time to examine the various
beautiful objects in the room. AS he
stood up to have a better view of the
general effect he noticed on the floor
by the table near which he was seat
ed scrap of an envelope that attract
ed his attention He uttered an ex-
clamatton of sudden surprise as he
reached out his hand for 1t. just then
there was the sound of n step in the
nail, and he thrust the bit of paper in
his pocket.
: On the threshold stood a stout man
in a greenish livery with red vest.
The latter garment was quite in agree
ment with the color scheme of his
round face.
This person was evidently the butler
of the establishment, or an upper ser
want.
You wished to see Mr.. Ellison?"
Exactly"
Gone away, bag and baggage, this
morning"
Hendricks looked to see if the man
We're telling the truth. and then, having
! satisfied himself that such was the
case, said:
Then you can give me his address
presume"
Don't know it; he left none"
ITO be gone long timer"
Don't know sir, and, If that is
rs he trying to slip out of my
| hands, was the thought that had en-
tered Jobs mind, but seeing that the
| fat gentleman was standing waiting To
see him out. he said:
| Sorry not to find him. but / dare
say, shall run across him in the CITY
The butler WAS silent, though his
| lips were moving as if there was
something on his mind that lie wanted
| to say. and yet hesitated about utter
| Ing. Such seedy visitor deserved con.
4 temptuous treatment, and vet his au-
! dacity might be owing to the fact that
he had some real business to discuss
| with the master of the house So Jol
| was ushered silently out. and the but
| Ter gave vent to his outraged feelings
| by slamming the door violently behind
| him.
job Hendricks pursued his wa,
| peacefully to the gate, and so into tho
| highroad, Wondering what this suddei
move ON the part of Ellison might por-
| tend.
He is toosensible man to think that
he can get rid of me so easily by run.
ming away" he said to himself II Won
| der if the appearance of the strange feel
low in the garden during the last visit
has anything to do With his running
Off?
Then he remembered the bit of tori
envelope he had picked up in the draw.
| inS-room, and he at once thrust hi.
hand in his pocket and drew 1T out.
The envelope bore the simple inscrip
ton:
r.. VNv1