Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-11-20
By Louis Tracy,

Author Of wings of the Morning. THE Pillar Of
ES,ht," Etc.

why The name o. lIrhilip Nlorlanl was
glib on my tongue"
$50 l have only heard historical
events-events prior to the last ten
years."
Exactly My uncle is now sixty
years Of age. Lady Louisa Morland's
son is twenty-four. Her ladyships
whole aim in life has been to secure
him as the baronet's heir. The title, of
course. he cannot obtain. But, most
unfortunately. he has no penchant for
beetles Indeed, Lady Louisa's re-
searches have long since diminished in
ardor. Her sons interests are divided
between the Sports club and the cory
phees of the latest musical comedy.
Moths are more in his line apparently.
My uncle, who is preparing a mono
graph on the tleas which patronize En-
moor wild ponies, came to town last
week to visit the British museum. I'm
happily he heard something about his
stepson which disturbed his researches.
There was a row."
why do you say 'unhappily?
because am dragged into the
wretched business OH account of it.
After lapse of more than twenty-five
years he remembered his sister, went
to his solicitors, made a fearful hub
bub when he heard of letters received
from her and answered without his
knowledge and ascertained that she
was dead and had a son living. At any
cost, they must find that son. They
have guessed at my identity for some
time. Now they want to make sure of
it."
".lnd what did you say?"
81 told them would think over the
situation and communicate with them,
further"
Were they satisfied?'
"By no means. They are exceeding
ly anxious to placate the old man.
They probably control a good deal of
his money!
"Um!'
"Of course! You see the delicacy Of
their position. After playing into the
hands of Lady Louisa for nearly a
quarter of century they suddenly find
the whole situation changed by the
baronet's Delated discovery that he
once had sister,"
You have not told me all this with
out purpose. Do you want my adj
vice:'
Philips face was clouded, his eyes
downcast.
You understand" he said after a
nh
man or the woman-the woman, I
Thinks morally responsible for my
mothers DEATH She was poor-wretch-
edly, horribly poor-tle poverty OF thin
clothing and insufficient food. She was
Ill, confined to Il miserable hovel for
weary months and was so utterly I'M
provided with the barest necessities
that the parish doctor was on the point
Of compelling her to go to the work
house infirmary when death came.
Am l to be the Instrument of Gods
vengeance on this woman"
Mr.. Abingdon, who had risen to light
a cigar placed a kindly hand on the
young mans shoulder.
.'Philip," lie said, with some emo
tion, 81 have never vet heard you utter
a nasty judgment You have prudence
far beyond your years. 1t seems to
me, speaking with all the reverence Of
a man in face of the DEGREES of Provi-
dence, that God has already provided
a terrible punishment for Lady Louisa
Morland. What is the name of her
SOM"
81 do not know. forgot to ask
Il have wide experience of the
jeunesse doree of London. Hardly
week passed during many years of my
life that one of his type did not APP
pear before me in the dock. What is
le-a roue, a gambler, probably
drunkard?"
'All these. l gathered from the So
licitors."
.'And if your mother We're living,
what would she say to Lady Nor
land|
"She would pity her from the depths
of her heart. Yes, Abingdon, you are
right. My uncle's wife has chosen her
own path. She must follow it, let 1t
lead Where it will. | will write to
Alessrs. Sharpe u Smith now. But
step into my dressing room with me
for a moment, will your
Il In Il corner of the spacious apart
ment 10 which he led his guest stood
large safe. Philip opened it. Within
We're Il number Of hooks and docu-
ments, but in Il large compartment at
the bottom stood Il peculiar object for
such Il repositoly-an ordinary leather
portnlanteau. He lifted it on to couch
and took key from drawer in the
safe.
This is one of my treasures which
you have never seen" he said, with
torrowful smile. 1T has not been In
the light for many years"
He revealed to his friends wonder
ing eyes the battered suit, the Slipshod
boots, the ragged shirt and cap, the
rusty doorkey. associated with that
wonderful month of March of Il decade
earlier. He rcverently unfolded some
OF his mothers garments, and his eyes
We're misty as he surveyed them.
But from the pocket of the portman-
teau he produced a packet of soiled let
tiers. One by one he read them aloud,
though he WINGED ut the remembrance
of the agony his mother must have
endured as she experienced each rebuff
from Lady Morland and her husbands
solicitors.
Yet lie pcrsevered to the end.
u wanted a model for Il brief COM
munication to Alessrs. Sharpe 4:
Smith," he said bitterly. Il think the
general purport of their correspond
cnce will serve my needs admirably"
AS he closed the Gladstone bag his
stern mood vanished.
do you KNOW" lie said. chat this
odd looking portmalitcau. always lock-
ed and always reposing in Il safe, has
puzzled my Wallets considerably? One
man got 1t ont and tried to open it. | /
caught him in the act. | honestly be-
lieve both he ana the others We're un-
der the impression that / kept my dia.
monds in it."
BY the way, that reminds me Of Il
request from lsaacsten. AS all the