Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-31
CHAPTER ".
N HAUL did not go near the Gwynne street shop for the fgs3 next few days, much as he
 5Q wanted to do SO. A call at

IF Gwynne street shop for the
 EFsgSi next few days, much as he
 wanted to do so. A call at
 the office of penny weekly had result
 ed in the return of three stories as
 being too long and not the sort re-
 quired. But the editor, in hasty in terview, admitted that he liked Paul's
 work and would give him f3 for a tale written on certain lines likely to be popular with the public. Paul did not care to set forth another person s ideas, especially as these were old and very sensational, but as he re- quired Eloney he set to work and la bored to produce what would bring him in the cash. He made several at tempts before he reached the editors level, which was low rather than high, and succeeded in getting the tale ac- cepted. With three golden pounds in his pocket and exultation in his heart, for every success seemed to bring him nearer to Sylvia, Paul returned to his aerial castle and found waiting for him letter from his mother.
 It was written in low spirited sort of way, characteristic of Mrs. Beecot but with true motherly heart. After two pages of lamentation over his ab- sence and a description of how the head of the household managed to bear up against the affliction of his sons absence, Mrs. Beecot proceeded to ex- plain about the brooch.
 Why do you ask me about the opal brooch, my dear boy?" wrote Mrs. Bee cot in her scratchy handwriting. All l know is that your father bought it out of pawnbrokers shop in Stowley. which is some town in the midlands. Your father was travelling there and saw the brooch by chance. As I al ways thought opals, unlucky he was anxious to make me see the folly of such superstition, so he bought the brooch and took 1t away with him. Afterward, I believe, he received letter from the pawnbroker saying that his assistant had sold the brooch by mistake; that the time for redeem 4AS lt Ado AOt luA OQt WACA yOul A0- ther bought 1t. The pawnbroker asked that the brooch might be returned and wanted to pay back the money. But you know what your father is. He re- fused at once to give back the brooch and insisted on my wearing it. I had a bad fall while wearing it and then was thrown out of that high dogcart your father would insist on driving. am sure the brooch or the stones are unlucky, and as after time your ia. ther forgot all about it let it lie in my jewel case. For years I had not worn 1t, and as think it is unlucky and as you need money, my darling boy, hope you will sell it. There is no need to pawn 1t, as you say. never want to see the brooch again. But re- garding your health," etc.
 There was nothing in the letter to explain Normans faint It was cer. tainly strange that the pawnbroker from whom the brooch had been orig finally purchased should have demand ed it back, and the excuse given seemed rather a weak one. However, Paul did not waste time in thinking over this. but resolved to tell Aaron what his mother had said.
 He had received two letters from Sylvia, mentioning, among other things, that her father, now quite well, was asking after Paul and urging him to come and see him. My father ap- pears to have fancy for you" wrote Sylvia, ''so if you are very nice, as nice as you can be, perhaps he won't be very angry if you tell him we are engaged" There was much more to the same effect, which Paul thought good advice. and he intended to adopt the same. It was necessary that he should tell Aaron of his love if things were to be conducted in a straishtfor- ward and honorable manner. And Paul had no desire to conduct them otherwise.
 Having made up his mind to see Aaron again, Paul bethought himself of Grexon Hay. So Beecot wrote to Grexon Hay at his Camden Hill cham Der and told him he intended to go to Gwynne street on a certain day at a certain time. To this Grexon respond | ed by saying that he was at PauTs service and would come. especially as he wanted to see Dulcinea of Gwynne street.
 The man about town duly made hIs to the very minute. q al- ways keep appointments" he explained when Paul congratulated him on his there's nothing annoys me so much as to be kept waiting. so I invariably practice what I preach Well. Paul. how is Dulcinea of Gwynne streetr
 'she is very we'll" replied Paul. who 1, -as still a young enough lover to | Alush. but have not seen her since --e last met. I waited for a letter nom my mother about the brooch. 50 lhat might explain to Aaron how she got it The old man has been asking sfter me-
 "Oh. eoDfound the brooch-' said srexon in his cool manner T don't want to hear about 1t. Let us talk If Dulcinea.-
 Rather let us talk of yourself" aid PaulN
 Not an Interesting subject" replied Hay. rising ts Paul opened his garret Ioor for deharture. 'you know all bout me-