The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28

the top of his head he was extremely,
almost fiagrantly, respectable.
II am taking a great liberty. sir,
he said, humbly, but you are, as IL
were, a straw to one who is sinking
beneath the waters OF affiiction. Do
you by chance. know the town OF
Brendon?"
II have never been so fortunate as
to visit it," / told him.
II understand from the police officer
here that you have travelled abroad.
Accustomed. therefore, to the corrup-
ton that taints the municipal life OF
other cities. you can scarcely compre-
bend the whole-souled enthusiasm with
which We of Breudon approach the du-
ties. my / say the sacred trust. of ad-
ministering to the sanitary and moral
welfare of our country. Those whom
We select must be of unstained reputa-
ton. From a place on the sports COM
mittee of the flower show / myself
have risen through successive grades
until even the houses of parliament
seemed within the limit of legitimate
ambition. But now. sir-now il seems
that through a boyish indiscretion,
when a student at the Regent Street
Polytechnic, I may be denounced In my
advancing years as a roysterer, tip
pier, almost a convicted criminal. They
would not hesitate Mark my words,
sir, If Horledge and Panton-my oppo-
nents chief supporters in Saturdays
election-aTe informed OF these facts,
they viii mention them on platforms.
they may even display them on board
ings."
He paused. sighed deeply, and wiped
his face with large silk pocket hand
kerchief. The situation was ridiculous
enough, yet not without a certain pa
thOs underlying the humor, for the man
was sincerely in earnest.
IF l can help you. Mr. Coran, / am
at your disposal" 1 told him.
1T is a matter OF considerable deli
cacy." he said. My younger daughter,
Emily, has formed an attachment
which is most disagreeable to me-"
''Indeed?' l murmured.
''The young man. Thomas Appleton
by name, is OF more than doubtful
character. Miss Rebecca, my sister,
has seen him boating on the Thames
In the company OF ladies whose APP
pearance overwhelmingly theatri-
cal"
You surprise me-"
He has been known 10 visit music
halls"
Did Miss Rebecca see him there.
toO?"
Certainly not. sir; but she has it
from sure source. 1t was obviously
my duty 10 forbid him the house. l
performed that duty, and extOrted a
promise from my daughter that she
would cease TO Communicate with him.
IN my belief. it Is he who has discov-
cred the scandal to which need not
again refer. and. in revenge, is levy
ing this blackmail The law shall
strike him, If there is justice left in
England"
And where do come in?" I asked.
for he had paused in a furry of indig-
nation
Perhaps I had better explain. -
Grey interposed. Owing TO this I'M
fortunate love a1air IL is plain that
no member OF Mr.. Coran's family must
learn that this young man is sus-
perted or that steps are being taken
for his arrest. 1t would not be IN
reasonable to fear that he might be
warned. l am staying with Mr.. Coran
tonight, but 1 do not want to go
alone. I might take an assistant from
the yard, but it is hard TO pick a man
who has not Criminal Investigation
Department stamped upon him You
look innocent enough. Mr.. Phillips.
WIN YOU come with Us. and lend me
a hand?"
1 agreed at once. It coud not fail
to be an amusing adventure. After
some discussion, it was arranged that
Grey and l should be introduced as
business friends Of Mr. COran, who had
asked US down 10 BFendon on a sud
den invitation. 4 telegram was sent
of u that effect.
For the first fifteen minutes of the
train we shared a crowded oompart-
ment. Gradually, however. our com
DaniOns dropped away, uatil we were
left to ourselves. Mr.. Coran was in
evident hesitation of mind. He shifted
about. screwing his hands together
with a most doleful countenance. When
he commenced TO speak he leaned for
ward rs IL afraid that the very cush-
ions might overhear him.
81 have mentioned my sister Rebec-
ca" he said. she is a woman of
remarka bic character"
Indeed" l murmured, for he chose
to address me more directly.
I'VE have differed lately on several
points of-er-local interest. 1t is very
important that she should not learn
the cause of my appeal TO the police.
Anything that aroused her suspicious
might lead to consequences very disa-
greeable to myself"
Il will be discreet"
MY daughters will-er-benefit large
" under her will. She would cut them
out of II without hesitation if she
learned that their father had been con-
nected with sO-er-disgraceful scam
dal You understand the situation?''
Perfectly. 1t must render your posi-
ton additionally unpleasant"
He sighed and relapsed into mel
ancholy silence. in which the train drew
up at BFendon station. A cab was in
waiting. into which we climbed. a
couple of turns, a short descent. and
we drew up at a gate in long wall
of flaming brick.
As we walked up the drive I looked
carefully about me, The house was
also OF red brick and OF mixed archi-
lecture. / believe the architect had
intended it for the Tudor period. with
variations suggested by modern sani-