The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-26

"a TR. ABINGDON took his de-
NE parture at an early hour. His
\ excellent wife was indispos-
1 s ed, and her age rendered him
anxious
Philip wrote a 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 han
som, intending to visit the Universe
ties club.
It 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 if weather wise folk predicted that
such an unusually high temperature
meant thunderstorms and showers it
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 a little
while in the entrance buttoning his
gloves. 4 strong electric light-he
loved light-fell on him and revealed
his firm face and splendidly proper
toned frame.
He cast a critical eye on a sleek
horse in the shafts and smiled pleas
antly at the driver.
Good gracious, VALE" he said,
''your cattle are becoming as tat as
yourself"'
"All your fault, sir" was the cheer
full reply. You don't use 'em 'arf
enough"
Il 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 h after the W. in your
name"
He sprang into the vehicle. With a
lively Kim up" Vale got his stout
steed into a remarkably fast trot.
\ tall man who had been lettering
and smoking beneath the trees across
the road for a long time sauntered to-
ward q BRIDESMAIDS cart which was
standing near the area gate Of the
next house while the man in charge
gossiped with a kitchenmaid
/ BEG pard0n" he said to the couple
rs that Mr.. Philip Anson's place"
with an indicatory jerk of his thumb.
YES" said the man.
"An' was that Mr.. Arson himself
who drove away in 4 private cab?'
Yes" said the girl
Thanks. 1t does one good to see q
/ young chap like him so jolly and COM
! Portable and provided with everything
+ he can want in the world. eh?"
Il wish | 'ad a bit OF is little lot"
i sighed the greengrocer's assistant with
q side glance at the maid.
The stranger laughed harshly.
Its hard to say when we're we'll
off" he growled. up enc day and
down the other. You never know your
luck"
Away he went southwark. His long
+ vigil on the pavement near the ratings
! seemed to have ended. In Piccadilly
/ he took an omnibus to the Circus and
there changed to another for the Ele-
/ plant and Castle.
He walked rapidly through the con-
geries of mean streets which lie to the
east of that busting center and paus-
ed at last before a house which was oc-
cupied by respectable people. judging
by the clearly curtains and general air
Of tidiness.
He knocked. \ woman appeared.
+ Did Mrs. Mason live there? No. She
knew nothing CT 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
ouiries among the neishbors. He stroll
I ed about. reading the names over the
small shops. the corner public house,
the dressmakers' semiprivate resi-
dences.
At last he paused before q somewhat
grim estabishment-an undertaken
office. He entered. \ youth was whis-
ting the latest music hall song.
DO you know anything OF a Mrs.
Mason who used to live in this locality
about ten years ago. he asked
| Mrs Mason? There may be forty