Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-02-09
CHAPTER XNXU (Continued).


AT II o'clock Pettingill's studio open
ed its doors to the Little Sons and
their guests, and the last Dutch
lunch" was soon under way Brewster
had paid for 1t early in the evening,
and when he sat down at the head Of
the table there was not a penny in his
pockets. A year ago Mt the same place
and Mt the same hour he and the Lit
ue Sons were having birthday feast
A million dollars came to him on that
night. Tonight he was poorer by far
than on the other occasion. but be ex-
pected little gift on the new ami
versary.
Around the board besides the nine
Little Sons sat six guests. among them
the DeMilles. Peggy Gray and Mary
Valentine. hopper Harrison was the
only absent Little Son, and his health
was proposed by Brewster almost be-
fore the echoes Of the toast to the bride
and groom died away.
Interruption came earlier on this &C.
casion than it did that night q year
ago. Ellis did not deliver his messages
to Brewster until 3 o'clock in the morn
ing. but the A. D. T. boy who rang the
bell at Pettingills year later handed
him telegram before IL o'clock.
Congratulations are coming In, old
man." said DeMille as Monty looked
fearfully Mt the little envelope the boy
had given him.
MANY happy returns Of the day."
suggested Bragdon. by Jove, it's SEN
sible Of you to get married on your
birthday. Monty. 1t saves time and ex-
pense to your friends"
Read 1t aloud" said Subway Smith
1.-Two to one it's from hopper Harri-
son." cried Pettingill.
Brewster's fingers trembled, he knew
not why, as he opened the envelope.
There was the most desolate feeling in
his heart, the most CHASTITY premonition
that Ill news had come in this last
hour. He drew forth the telegram and
slowly, painfully. unfolded it No one
could have told by his expression that
he felt almost that he was reading his
death warrant. 1t was from Grant &
Ripley and evidently had been follow
ing him about town for two or three
hours. The lawyers had filed 1t at $50
O'Clock.
He read 1t at a glance. bis eyes burn
ing, bis heart freezing:
Come to Office Immediately. Will wait
all night for you II necessary. Jones has
disappeared, and there IL absolutely no
trace Of him. GRANT 4 RIPLEY.
py0x 0<aSs M 0ESJ nj
lutely no sign Of emotion In his face.
The others began to clamor for the
contents Of the telegram, but his
tongue was stiff and motionless, his
ears deaf. Every drop Of blood In bis
body was stiued by the shock, every
sense given him by the Creator was
centered upon eleven words in the
handwriting Of careless telegraph op-
orator. zones has disappeared, and
there is absolutely no trace of him"
Jones has d ,ppeared!" Those
were the words, plain aud terrible In
their clearness. tremendous In their
brutality. Slowly the rest Of the mes
sage began to urge Its claims upon his
brain. Come to our Office immediate
ly" and "Will wait all night battled
for recognition. He was calm because
he had not the power to express an
emotion. How he maintained control
Of himself afterward he never knew.
Some powerful, kindly force asserted
itself. coming to bis relief with the
timeliness Of a genie. Gradually It
began to dawn upon him that the 9TH
ers were waiting for him to read the
message aloud. He was not sure that
q sound would come forth when he
opened his lips to speak, but the tones
were steady. natural and cold as steel.
Il am sorry 1 can't tell you about
this" he said. SO gravely that hts bear
ers were silenced. ut is a business
matter Of such vital Importance that
l must ask you to excuse me for an
hour or so. l Will explain everything
tomorrow. Please don't be uneasy. If
you will do me the honor to grace the