Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-08-07
"But'-Iveagh was an Engllshmau,

| WuyS- yOu SNu wv ~, 1AA' 10y wa
Lord Frampton," with emphasis on the
title. "is very old man, almost ninety
He lives as quietly as possible-sees no
one. He wouldn't think Of interview.
Ing. He's very old fashioned. dislikes
even our newspapers, and he's been
sort of recluse all his llfe."
"No harm in trying" said Dayton.
"I'll Just drop him line"
In the mail two mornings later came
the answer. Dayton opened 1t In the
presence of Iveagh. 1t was printed
slip which read:
Lord Frampton appreciates your cour-
tcsy. He regrets that age and the state
Of his health make 1t impossible for him
personally to thank you.
81 thought so." said Iveagh, not con-
cealing his delight at Dayton's discom-
future. HE sends that to everybody
who tries to intrude upon him."
Dayton mechanical. turned the
printed slip over whats thisr he
said. There was writing In feeble,
cramped hand:
NV Dear Sir-I am lunching at the Athe-
naeum club the day after tomorrow
(Thursday) and shall be pleased to see
you there afterward-at 3.
FRAMPToN.
Dayton thrust the note into his pock-
ct, concealing his feeling Of triumph.
II may cable what he says-if It's
worth while. 1t might make good
feature for them on Sunday" And he
went away.
Iveagh looked after him, dazed. "Yet
there are some people who say there's
no such thing as luck" he grumbled
who'd have thought old Frampton
had gone stark mad"
At the Carleton Dayton found teie-
gram:
Shall be at Claridge's tomorrow. Be
ELSIE GRANT.
whatever shall doY he said after
he had reread the telegram and Lord
FramptOn's note to make sure. Both
for Thursday; both at the same hour.
I can't put either Of them of. What
snail 10 Will cOSS!
No: Foss could not be put of. He
must be seen ut the time he had ap-
pointed or the great Sunday feature
would be lost. II must send some one
in my place. But whO2 1t must be q
newspaper man, man with the news
paper instinct and training; 1t must be
d man of the best possible address and
up in philosophy and sociology and
Foss. Where can get him"
1t seemed absurd to think on such
problem, yet after nearly an hour Day.
ton Jumped up and said. why, OF
course-just the man-better than l
could possibly do 1t myself" and BE-
gun fumbling In u compartment OF the
trunk that was full Of letters, papers
and cards. He soon found what he
was searching fora card bearing the
address Of Henry Carpenter. A COM
mon friend In New York had given 1t
to him, saying: Look Carpenter up
and, if you can, put something In MS
way. hear he's badly off,"
As Dayton said to himself, Henry
Carpenter was probably the best equip
ned man In the world for an Interview
with Foss for IN American newspaper
He was q Yale man with Ph. d. from
Gottinyen, and writer on economic
subjects who had won some fame.
But philosophy Is not profitable, and
CARPENTER made his living as newspa-
per reporter. He had been one OF the
clevcrest in the profession, then had
married and taken to drink and gone
to the bottom.
The address on the card was in the
far end of Pimlico. Dayton set out,
calling at the Victoria. There were
several New York newspaper men In
the lounge. He asked them II they
had seen Carpenter. Just left him,
said one. "He was bound for the Cri-
terion." Dayton drove to the Criterion
and began search Of the crowded
rooms. He soon saw Carpenter wan
Gering about the bar, noting each race
as II he were looking for al acquaint-
ance. His clothes, his very expression,
proclaimed poverty and failure, and
Dayton, knowing his habits, was par
ticularly impressed by the weakness OF
his chin. But in spite of the air OF
hard luck" Carpenter looked the gen.
tleman, the man Of superior intelli-
gence. He greeted Dayton effusively,
and as soon as the business was dis.
closed eagerly offered his services.
There's only one difficulty-will
Lord Frampton receive you when he is
expecting me"
"We'll have to take our chances on
that" said Carpenter.
But l never take chances II l can
help 1t. I've been thinking-he doesn't
know me and he doesn't know you.
Why shouldn't you send In one of my
cards-impersOnate meY
Carpenters face frightened.
"Yes: that is the best plan" contin'
ued Dayton. "With your special knowl-
edge you'll do the interview far better
than l could. He'll really profit by the
deception"
1t was so agreed, and Carpenter
went away. Dayton advancing him two
|sovereigns. When he returned the next
Afternoon his appearance was In every
way satisfactory, and Dayton's last
lmisgiyings disappeared. He went with
Carpenter to the Athenaeum. Its q
little early, old man, but you can send
lin your-or, rather, my-card and wait.
And don't forget you're both under as
sumed names. II you are calling your
|self Dayton when you're Carpenter,
isn't he calling himself Frampton when
he's Foss?"
"You may rely on me. I'll do my
best" said Carpenter.
He saw Carpenter enter the club
house; saw him give his card to the at
tendant. Not until then did he drive
away. His heart was light. Fate had
been kind to him. On the stroke Of 8
he was in the writing room at Clar
idge's. Elsie did not keep him waiting
Mother has changed her plans" she
said, hurrying In. 81 thought we'd
have clear hour, but she may be back
at any moment"
He was looking at her steadily
"Well" he asked.
She flushed and cast down her eyes
Then she lifted them and returned his
gaze steadfastly. "Yes," she said.
He gave long sigh.
They were silent for few minutes
. | "Niother"- she began.