Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-06-21

After few words with ner and Mrs.
Freeman, he introduced Stafford who
had been regarding Mrs. Castleton with
the most curious interest. With a fasci-
mating smile, she extended he, hand,
which Stafford, with a low bow, just
touched. 81 do not like that man." was
her thought. 1t was case of mutual
distrust.
who is that. lady?" inquired Stafford,
following her with his eyes until she was
out of sight. p,
"Oh, widow lady, to whom have re-
Gently been introduced" replied Arthur,
somewhat confusedly.
"a widow! Take care of the widows,
|. .Pennrhyddyn. l should say that she was
very Syren of widows, and with tenn
per Of her own, too." He spoke half
seriously, half jestfhgly, watching, mean
while, the effect of his words.
"Your estimate of that lady is utterly
mistaken" answered Arthur, coldly; "a
more frank and artless creature does not
exist"
Stafford could perceive that to dilate
further upon his view of the lady, would
be to offend his friend. "Well, I am go
ing eastward" he said, coming to halt,
ito the aristocratic neighborhood of the
Curtain Road. 1 shall go to work again
on Monday morning, so you will be sure
to find me at the studio any day next
week. Now be sure to give me an early
call"
Stafford jumped into a hanson, and de-
| sired the driver to set him down at the
| foot Of the Curtain Road. He beguiled
the tedium Of the way by opening the
portfolio he carried, and taking out the
| two portrait sketches he had made in the
gallery at Penrhyddyn. AS he examined
them, new idea seemed to suddenly
strike him. He scrutini7ed and compared
the sketches with the most eager inter-
est, and fell into deep train of thought,
from which he was only aroused by the
stopping of the cab at its destination.
Stafford's object in visiting such a re-
mote neighborhood was to endeavor to
find the shop at which Sir Launce had
bought the picture of Circe. The circum-
stance happened in this WISE The last
time Sir Launce visited London busi-
ness took him into Essex. While stand
Ing upon the platform of the Great East
ern Railway terminus, his pocket was
picked The thief was caught, and Sir
Launce was bound over to appear next
morning at the police court. He did so
and upon leaving the court took a turning
which led him into the Curtain Road.
Passing brokers' shop, he was attracted
by the picture so often mentioned, which
was standing just inside the door, and he
stepped in and bought it.
The direction Stafford had received was
pretty exact-a brokers' shop, about half
way up the road on the left-hand side.
going northward. About that situation
he discovered the kind of shop he had
pictured to himself-a grimy shop, upon
whose small-paned windows the dirt hung
in flakes.
This must be the place." thought Stat
ford, as he entered the shop. His knock
upon the counter brought forth from an
inner den sharp, weazened-face old
man. Stafford came to the point at once
by showing the sketch he had made, and
asking him if he remembered selling such
a picture few weeks ago to q middle
aged gentleman.
well, l had it by me so long that I
scarcely remember how got it." answer
ed the old man.
IF five shillings would assist your
memory, it is at your disposal" said
Stafford
The old man grinned and held out his
dirty hand. And the silver key unlocked
the rusty portals of his memory.
Some time back, he said he CO, .ldn't
| hnu a.
four, or it might be five years, one even
ing, after dark, young girl brought 1t
Into the shop and asked him to buy it.
1t had been painted, she said, by young
artist who used to live in her mothers
house. 1t was her own portrait, and he
had given 1t to her; but her mother had
met with misfortunes, and they were yery
poor, and she wanted to sell the picture
for bread. well, l saw that II was
decent painting, so I gave her fifteen shil.
nngs for it. My son took a fancy to It.
80 l gave it to him, and when he died
few months ago 1t came back into nv
hands, and one day the gentleman you
spoke of came in and bought it,"
And did you buy the picture upon the
simple faith of the girls storyY' in
| CURED Stafford, without endeavoting to
learn her name or address?"
well, you see, it doesn't do to be over
particular in our business" replied the
| old man, with knowing grin. She was
the prettiest little creature you ever saw.
the very image Of the picture, and she
had her story so glib that I didn't put
much faith in 1t. So got her to give
me receipt for the money, and put her
name and address upon It,"
Have you that receipt still?" inquired
Stafford, eagerly.
well, believe have it somewhere" !"
1t was long search before the reouir.
ed document scould be found Upon a
dirty scrap of paper was written, in
peculiarly small, neat ladys hand a re-
ceipt for the fifteen shilings. The sig
nature was IN. Millicent, 10, Great
Tichfield stree" +"