Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-09-01

that were looking rather ruefully at
the ground.
Hitting below the belt is not con
sidered fair is IT, Master Jack?" he
asked
"Eh, what?" said Jack, who had not
been paying much attention. NO,
according TO the rules; but what do
you mean by the question? You are
always such mysterious old idiot,
you know. You can't help 1t, ] sup
pose"
Old Skettle smiled, II the extraordi-
lary contortion of the wrinkled face
could be called by 80 hattering a de.
signation.
1--WE seen such mysterious things
since first went into Mr.. Hudsley's
office to sweep the floor"
Now, then" said Jack, none of
that game; going into the old story,
which have heard hundred times,
OF how you went as an Office boy and
have risen to the proud position of
confidential clerk You're like one of
the old fellows in the play, who draws
n CHAIR up to the footlights, and says,
IT'S seven long years ago and the
people begin to clear out into the re-
freshment bar, and walt there TIL he's
done. Where were you? Oh, 'mys.
terious experiences Well. go on"
But old Skettle had, apparently
nothing to say; he had while Jack
had been speaking, changed his mind.
i beg pardon for stopping you,
Master jack he said. 81 felt |
couldn't let you go out OF the old
place without expressing my sym
pathy,"
Thanks, thanks" said Jack, holding
out his hand. You're one of the
right sort Skettle. and SOS Hudsley.
| believe he's sorry too Looks n lit.
tie puzzled, too. Puzzled isn't the
word for what ! feel I've got the
sensation one experiences when he's
been sitting through one of the old,
! Fashioned melo.dramas. Not even a
Mountaineering, or walkingstick
Poor Squlre--well ] forgive him. He
had a right to do what he liked with
: his own"
Just SO, Master Jack, but It's hard
for YOU said Skettle mot mourn
lingering BY the way, sir" and some.
thing like n blush crept over his
wrlnkled face Tiff you should be
In want Of little money"
Jack stared, then laughed grimly.
well. you certainly must be mad,
Skettlo," he interrupted. Want
money! When didn't ! want 1t? But
don't YOU be idiot enough to lend me
any II would be n Jolly bad specu-
lation, old fellow. There Is not Jew
IN London would take my paper. No,
Skettle, II would be downright rob.
berry. and | don't think | could rob
you, you know
DO you remember the day you
swan across the mill-pond, and
llshed my little boy out Master Jack? ?"
You take care | shan't forget It,,
Skettle," sadi Jack, with smile. 1T
was n noble deed wasn't IL? Every
time you mention It, try to feel like
a hero, but It won't come. How is
little Nod?"
He's well sir; he's in London now.
working his way up. He'd have been
In the church-yard II II hadn't been
for YOU"
why. Skettle, this is worse than
Twas seven long years ago!'" ex.
claimed Jack,
On that day, Master Jack. swore
that If ever time came when I'd n
chance Of serving YOU. I'd do it. It
did not seem very likely then. for we
all thought you'd be the next squire:
but now, Master Jack, ] should be
grateful If you'd borrow ten pounds Of
me"
Nonsense" cried Jack Don't be
an idiot. Skettlc You a lawyer! why,
you're too soft for anything but
washerwoman There. goodbye: re.
member me to little Ned when YOU
write. and tell him | hope he'll grow
mp a little harder than his father.
skinny claw heartily,
Goodbye and he shook the thin.
Old Skettlc stood and looked after
MN, ms right hand fumbling In his
waistcoat pocket; and when Jack had
got quite out OF sight he pulled the
hand out. and with 1t small scrap of
paper with a few words written on Il,
and seal II was just such a scrap
OF paper which might have been torn
from letter. and the seal was the
navenaut seal. with its griffin and
spear plainly stamped.
Old Skettle looked at II a moment
curiously then shook his head
mo, | was right after all in not Civ.
ing II to him. 1t may lie nothing
nothing at all. And vet--it's the
sQuire's handwriting. for It's his seal
and what was It lying outside the ter.
race for Where's the other part OF
it. and what was the other part like?
III keep Il. don't say that there's
any good in It. but III keep Il Not a
Mountaineering or n walking.stick! All
house, lands, money--to MIR stephen.
with the snealSing face and the silky