The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-07-06

CHAPTER II-contInusd.

SAID the stranger, In voice OF Taro
melody and sweetness, with respect
TO your tenancy of this house. | spend
most of my time in Paris. but am
looking for pied-a-terre near London,
and the agent to whom applied tells
me that you are willing to dispose OF
the remainder of your lease"
YES" said Truscott, II want to dis
pose OF the house as it stands, II
can find customer. The fact is, I'm
going to get married. and want big
ger place. I'm furnishing the Hall at
Manor Vantage, and I'm ready to
clear out at any moment"
II could have possession in a
month";" his visitor asked.
EYES," said Truscott. THAT could
be easily arranged. / want to keep
nothing but few old prints and books
and this" he added, laying hand
upon the desk.
IAN old friend?" said Brangwyn,
sympathetically.
my first purchase when | settled
down to work ten years ago. An old
friend, as you say, and in way sort
OF q mascot OF mine"
well, Mr.. Truscott," said Brang-
wyn. rising as he spoke, I'VE can each
appoint a valuer, and may come to a
conclusion Of the business"
You would like to see the placer
Truscott responded. "If you like I'll
show you over" In his own thorough
going way he took his visitor from
attic to basement Its a small place.,
he said. Il have to board out my
groom and my chauffeur"
II need neither" said Brangwyn.
"A plain cook and maid servant will
serve my turn"
There's rather pretty garden
Truscott went on. "and nice little
stretch OF lawn stretching to the riv.
or. II you'll come this way I'll show
you"
He had forgotten Billery for the
moment, and as he led the way he felt
keen sense of resentment and dis
taste at the sight of the sprawling
sleeping Agure In the arm chair in
the breakfast room. In spite OF the
widely opened French windows, the
room reeked with the sleeper's whis
ky-laden breath. Billery, who was
half-choked by high, tight collar
was snoring stertoriously. Truscott
though habitually a man of perfect
self-possession. felt In shame-facet
way that 1t was necessary in some
measure to account for him. Brang
wyn's fine nose was wrinkled In re
pugnance and Truscott felt savagely
Inundated.
"A member Of my staff on the Rec
ord" he said. HE came down here
today on business, and / was tnjudi
cious enough to leave him with the
decanter."
4 know him." Brangwyn responded
as he passed into the garden. His
father and my great uncle were great
friends, despite q certain disparity OF
years" He stood bareheaded in the
evening light and looked about him
His careworn and suffering aspect was
more apparent here than it had been
indoors. His half-bald dome of fore
head was deeply ploughed with lines
Of pain, ana that intent and listening
look fingered in his eyes longer thar
It had done. It passed. and he turned
to his companion with q touching and
melancholy smile which looked hal
like the expression Of an inward pang
hna - - -, e11~~ = vroar = ~ two or<>
he resumed, that our young frient
there was going to the dogs. shoult
Judge him to be pretty near the ken
mel now"
Heaven help him." said Truscott
With gust Of genuine feeling. 9
suppose 30" They strolled in silence
% tho margin Of the river, and there
the tenant Of the place turned sudden
" upon his guest. "Mr. Brangwyn,'
he said, 1T ID q singular coincidence
which brings you to my house to
day"
eIndeed?" asked Brangwyn, liftin,
his arched eyebrows In faint sur
PRISE.
81 have been thinking that you could
hardly fail to feel 1t strange when 70,
come to read the news which is II
I my possession. II made no allusion tt
n. IT. publication will take place OF
Monday morning. and there Is no ont
n the world whom it concerns more
nearly than yourself
s1ndeed!" asked Brangwyn secont
tlnne.
The news will bring q painful
\ ehock With n" said Truscott. but yo,
eht t0 know 1t, because It will fal
8 yDu, - the head Of your family, tt
tltute Inquiries"
y ~ ~ pains to prepare ME TO
8 hoiMo you have to offer me, Mr.
q ) a = Bfangwyn answered him
1lIy raid Truscott, ''the fact Il
\ fhS body of your great-uncle AM
IL 1lr Aloysoum Brangwyn
x vered, under condition
4 Ef - ( terions and fnexplica
/ I E whlch surrounded hi,
\ II sIs 1 ias q u I I had his mar
- xe<,s -,