Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-09
CHAPTER ".
ISAACSTEIN.

NnAI L EN- ~.
ISAACSTEIN.
| The keen, strong March wind soon
blew the clouds from his brain He did
not hurry toward Hatton Garden. He
sauntered, rather, with his right hand
clinched on the tiny parcel in his pocket,
the parcel which had suddenly been en-
doWed with such magic personalities 1t
was the instinct to guard a treasure of
great value that led to this involuntary
action. He was preoccupied. disturbed,
vaguely striving to grasp a vision that
seemed to elude his exact comprehension.
What did it all mean? Was it really
possible that he, Philip Arson, orphaned,
/ beggared, practically starving tramp,
should have the riches of Golconda show
cred upon him in this mad fashion. If
/ the small stone he had shown to the lew
eler were worth hundreds, then some of
those III the paper were worth thousands.
! While as for the stone in the back ward
OF his house-well imagination boggled
at the effort to appraise it, The thought
hegot sense OF caution. Of reserve. of
Well-reasoncd determination not to re-
val his secret to anybody. Perhaps it
would be best not to take MeSsrs. Isaac
stein Go. wholly into his confidence.
He would simply show them the stone he
had exhibited to Mr.. Wilson and take the
| best price they offered Then with the
money in his possession, he could effect
much needed change in his appearance.
visit them again. and gradually increase
his supply of diamonds until he had OBJ
| tanned more money than he could posi-
bly, spend during many years.
Above all else was it necessary that
his meteor should be removed to a safer
| place than Iohnson's News. Philip had
no scrupies about appropriating it.
| Lords of the manor and crown rights he
had never heard of
His mother, watching his every action
from some Elysian height, had sent the
diamond loaded messenger as a token of
her love and care. 1t was his, and no
man should rob him of it. 1t behooved
him to be sparing of explanations and
sturdy in defense of his property.
A good deal depended on the forthcom-
ing interview, and he wished he could
convert small fraction of the wealth in
his pocket into a few honest pennies
with the kings head on them The ex-
element and exercise had made him hun
CRY again. His breakfast was not of am
pie proportions, and his meals of yester.
day had been of the scantiest. 1t would
be well to face the diamond merchants
with the easy confidence that springs
from satisfied appetite, let, how to
manage it? He was sorry now he had
not borrowed a siXpence from O'Brien.
The old soldier would certainly have
lent it to him. He even thought of re-
turning to the Mile End road to secure
The loan, hut he happened to remember
that the day was Saturday, and it was
probable that the IIatton Garden offices
would close early. 1t was then nearly
ii O'Clock, and he could not risk the de-
lay of the long double journey.
At that instant savory smell was
waited to him. He was passing a small
restaurant, where sausages and onions
sizzled gratefully in large tin trays, and
pork chops lay in inviting prodigality
amid rich, brown gravy. The proprietor
portly and greasy man, with bald head
and side whiskers, was standing at the
door exchanging views as to business
with his nextdoor neighbor, a green
grocer Philip, bold i'll the knowledge OF
his wealth, resolved to try what he could
achieve on credit.
He walked up to the pair
Il have not got any money Just now. :"
he said TO the restaurant keeper, 'but if
you will let me have something to eat
will gladly come back this afternoon and
pay you double"
Neither man spoke at first. Philip was
always unconscious of the quaint dis
crepancy between his style of speech and
his attire. He used to resent bitterly the
establishment exhibited BY strangers. but
today he was far removed above these
considerations. and he backed up his re-
quest by a pleasant smile.
The fat man grew apoplectic and
turned his eyes to the sky.
well, Fm-" he spluttered.
The greengrocer laughed, and Philip
blushcd
do you refuse" he said, with his
downright manner and direct stare.
well, OF all the cool check" The
stout persons feelings were TOO much for
him. He could find no other words.
1T is a fair offer persisted the boy.
You don't think | mean to swindle YOU.
surely?'
"Well. there / never did,"
But the grecngrocer interviewed.
You're a sharp lad" he guffawed.
Dye want a jobg"
"No," was the short reply. Il want
something to eat"
TO BE CONTINUED