The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-26

ESJ wanted to do So call at
the office of a penny weekly bad result
ed in the return Of three stories as
being too long and not the sort re-
quired. But the editor in a 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 persons
Ideas. especially as these were old
and very sensational, but as he re-
quired money he set to work and la
bored to produce what would bring
him in the cash. He made several at
tempts before be reached the editors
level which was low rather than high,
and succeeded in getting the tale ac-
copied. 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
1t was written In a low spirited sort
Of way. characteristic of Mrs. Beecot.
but with true motherly heart. After
two pages OF lamentation over his alb
sence and a description of how the
head OF the household managed to bear
up against the affection 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
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 | al
ways thought opals unlucky he was
anxious to make me see the folly of
such n superstition. so be bought the
brooch and took it away with him
Afterward, | believe, he received
letter from the pawnbroker saying
that his assistant had sold the brooch
by mistake; that the time for redeem
Ing it had not run out when your ia
Their 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, l had
a bad fall while wearing it and then
was thrown out of that high dogcart
your father would insist on driving.
j am sure the brooch or the stones are
unlucky, and as after q time your IA
Their forgot all about 1t let it lie in
my jewel case. For years l had not
worn it, and as l 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
gardlng your health" etc.
There was nothing in the letter to
explain Normans faint. 1t was GER
tainly strange that the pawnbrokel
from whom the brooch had been orig
inally purchased should have demand
ed 1t 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 we'll
was asking after Paul and urging hin
to come and see him. My father ap
pears to have fancy for you wrote
Sylvia, so if you are very nice, a.
nice as you can be, perhaps he won
be very angry il you tell him we ar;
engaged" There was much more II
the same effect, which Paul though
good advice. and he intended to adop
the same. 1t was necessary that b,
should tell Aaron of his love If thing
- -. r., sr~l,N g
ward and honorable manner. AM
Paul had no desire TO conduct then
otherwise.
Having made up his mind to Sc
Aaron again. Paul bethought himsel
OF Grexon Hay So Beecot wrote t
Grexon Hay at his Camden Hill cham
Der and told him he Intended to 80 {
Gwynne street on certain day at
certain time To this Grexon respond
ed by saying that he was at Paul.
service and would come, especially a
he wanted to see Dulcinea OF Gwynn
street.
The man about town duly made hi
appearance to the very minute. II al
ways keep appointments" he explaine'
when Paul congratulated him on hi
punctuality; there's nothing annoy
me so much as to be kept waiting s.
/ invariably practice what ! preach
Well. Paul how is Dulcinea of Gwynn
streetT'
"She is very WELL" replied Paul, VIII
was still a young enough lover t
blush. "but have not seen her sine
we last met l waited for a lette
from my mother about the brooch. $,
that l might explain TO Aaron how sh'
got 1t. The old man has been asking
after me-"
"Oh. confound the brooch sai'
Grexon in his cool manner. Il don
want to hear about 1t. Let us tall