Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-10-01

u XR. ABINGDON took his de.
MI parture at an early hour. His
excellent wife was indispos-
4 Il ed, and her age rendered him
anxious.
Philip wrote curt letter to Sharpe
& Smith. He had given thought to
their statements, he said, and wished
to hold no further communication with
either Sir Philip Morland or his repre-
sentatives.
Then he ordered his private ham
som, intending to visit the Universi-
ties club.
1t was a fine evening. one Of those
rare nights when blase London aban-
dons herself for an hour to the delights
of spring. The tops of omnibuses pass
ing through Park lane were enlivened
by muslin dresses and flower covered
hats. Men who passed in hansoms
wore evening dress without an over.
coat. Old earth was growing again,
and IL weather wise folk predicted that
such an unusually high temperature
meant thunderstorms and showers 1t
would indeed be poor heart that did
not rejoice in the influences Of the
moment.
Two powdered and noiseless footmen
threw open the door as Philip appear
ed in the hall. He stood for little
while in the entrance buttoning his
gloves. A strong electric light-he
loved light-hll on him and revealed
his firm face and spiendidly proper,
toned frame.
He cast a critical eve on a sleek
horse in the shafts and smiled pleas
antly ut the driver.
Good gracious. Wale," he said,
"your cattle are becoming as fat as
yourselfw
"All your fault, SIR" was the cheer
full reply. "You don't use 'em 'arf
enough"
81 can't pass my time In being driven
about town to reduce the weight OF
my coachman and horses. Vale, If
you don't do something desperate there
will be an IL after the W. In your
name"
He sprang into the vehicle. With a
lively Kim upw Vale got his stout
steed into remarkably fast trot
A tall man who had been lettering
and smoking beneath the trees across
the road for long time sauntered to-
ward tradesman's cart which was
standing near the area gate Of the
next house while the man in charge
gossiped with kitchenmaid.
"Beg pardonw he said to the couple.
as that Mr.. Philip Anson's placer
with an indicatory jerk Of his thumb.
"Yes," said the man.
"An' was that Mr.. Arson himself
who drove away in private cab?'
Eyes" said the girl.
"Tharks, 1t does one good to see a
young chap like him so jolly and COM
Portable and provided with everything
he can want I'm the world. eh?'
II wish I 'ad bit of lis little lot"
sighed the greengrocer's assistant, with
q side glance at the maid.
The stranger laughed harshly.
'1t's hard to say when ye're well
Off" he growled. Cup one day and
down the other. You never know your
luck"
Away he went southwark. His long
vigil on the pavement near the railings
seemed to have ended. In Piccadilly
he took an omnibus to the Circus and
there changed to another for the Ele-
phant and Castle.
He walked rapidly through the con-
geries of mean streets which lie to the
east of that bustling center and paus-
ed at last before q house which was oc-
cupied by respectable people, judging
by the cleanly curtains and general air
Of tidiness.
He knocked. A woman appeared.
Did Mrs. Mason live there? No. She
knew nothing Of her Had only been
in the place eighteen months.
The man evidently appreciated the
migratory habits of the poor too well
to dream of prosecuting further in
uuiri:, among the neighbors. He stroll
ed about. reading the names over the
small shops, the corner public house
the G.essma.ers' semiprivate resi-
dcnces.
At hast he paused before a somewhat
...m estaHiishment-an undertaken
office. lie entered. \ youth was whis
tlimg the latest music hall song.
DO you know anything Of Mrs
Mason who used to live in this locality
about ten years ago. lie asked.
Mrs. Mason? There may be forty
Mrs. Masons. What was her Christian
name AN address,
Mrs. Hannah Mason. IA Frederick
street"
The youth skillfully tilted back hi:
stool until he reached q ledger from
shelf behind him. He ran Ills eye
down an index, found number ant
pulled out another book.
1--WE buried her on the Goth Of No
vember, nine years since" he said cool
ly, rattllng both tones back into thel
places.
You did, eh? Is there anybody herr
who remembers her?'
Something in the husky voice Of thiI
stark. i'll favored man caused the DO!
to become less pert.
Fathers in," he said. "Ill ring fo1
him."
Father came. He had vague mem
ory Of the woman, widow with tw'
children-boys. he thought Somebod.
helped her In her last days and pait
for the funeral-paid cash, according
| to the ledger. He did not know VIII
the friend was nor had he any knowl
edge of the children's fate. Work
house, most probably. What work
| house? Parish Of Southwark. Easy t
find. Just turn so-and-so, and so-and
| so.
With grunt Of acknowledgment tn
inquirer passed into the street. III
gave an eye to the public house, bu
resolutely auickened his pace. At tn
workhouse he succeeded, with som
difficulty, in interviewing the master
| If was after office hours, but as he ha
journeyed long way an exception
would be made In his case.