Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-11-19

| stage IuTtneT. NOW you, Hicuiei'
What have you to say?'
Every little!" was the cool response.
"My excellent friend has made clean
breast of everything. You didn't die
and so spoiled the finest coup that ever
man dreamed Of had no difficulty In
concocting the requisite epistles from
Sir Philip and Lady Morland. Your
London bank accepted my signature
with touching confidence. have OPEN
ed two accounts in your name, one In
York and one in Leeds, $1,000 each.
This morning | heard from London
that f150G00 Of your consols had been
realized and placed to your current ac-
count. Just to be feeling the pulse OF
the local money market l drew out
$4,000 today. 1t IS there In notes on the
table. You will also find the check
books and pass books in perfect order.
Oh, by the way told your man Green
to open your safe and send me your
mysterious portmanteau. 1t is in my
bedroom. That Is all, / think. l AM
sorry if worried the young LADY,
"You unutterable scampw cried
Philip.
"Well, l had to keep her quiet, you
know. As 1t was, she suspected me.
suppose my messages hadn't the
proper ring in them. And-what the
deuce Is blue atom?"
DR. Scnrth was even more interested
than ever. If possible.
"Blue Atom! Blue Atom is nobler
specimen of dog than yourself. He
is prize toy Pomeranian. You are a
mongrel."
Grenier for an instant grew confus-
ed again. He sighed deeply.
"a dog" hc murllured. "a blue
Pomeranian. Who would have guess
ed it,"
Philip turned to Mason.
"If I leave you here alone with this
man, Grenier, will you keep him out Of
mischief?"
Jocky gave his associate glance
which caused that worthy to sit down
suddenly.
"And yourself? Promise that you
will remain as You are until return?'
81 promise"
Anson led his friends from the room.
He thanked the manager for the as
sistance he had given and told him the
affair might he arranged without po-
lice interference.
Long and earnestly did he confer
with Mr.. Abingdon. 1t was serious
thing to let these men Off scot free.
Grener's case was worse in sense
than that of Mason.
There were three banks involved.
and forgery to bank Is crime not
to be forgiven. There was dubious
way out. Philip might accept respon-
sibility for Greniers transactions. If
the London bank accepted Grenier's
signature for his. surely the local in
stitutions would accept his for Gre
nier's.
Mr.. Abingdon was wroth at the bare
suggestion.
"You will be forging your own
| udlle, lie IDTOtcStcu NcuSiiiSpts'
every well, then. He shall write
checks payable to self or order. In
dorse them. and / will pay them into
my account"
81 dare not approve Of any such pro-
cedure."
So Philip, though sorely tried, again
labored his arguments that the trial OF
Grenier would be cause celebre In
which his, Anson's, name would he un-
pleasantly prominent. Evelyn would
be drawn into 1t and Abingdon him
self. There would he columns Of SEN
sation In the newspapers.
Moreover it was quite certain that
Jocky Mason would commit suicide un-
less they captured him by subter-
fuge, and then the whole story would
leak out.
1t ended by Philip gaining the day.
for at the bottom of his heart Abing-
don was touched by Masons story.
Thoroughbred rufiian as he was.
They re-entered No. Al. The pair
were sitting as they were left. Grenier
was not even smoking. The affair OF
the Blue Atom had deeply wounded
his vanity.
Philip walked straight to Mason and
took him by the shoulder.
"Now, listen to me-" he said. IL gave
you one crack Oh the head, and you
have given me one. Shall we say that
accounts are squared?
"Do you mean it, sir?'
"Yes, absolutely"
Then all ! can say Is this, sir: Dur
ing the rest of my life I'll make good
use Of the chance you have given me.
God bless YOU for the boys sake more
than my own"
"And you," went on Philip, turning
to the disconsolate Grenier. Twill you
leave England and make fresh start
In new land? You are young enough
and clever enough in some respects to
earn an honest living"
81 will, sir. swear It,"
The utter collapse of his castle In
Spain had sobered him. The gates OF
Portland were yawning open for him,
and the goodness Of the man he mad
wronged had closed them in his face
Never again would he see their grim
front If he could help 1t.
He readily gave every assistance In
the brief investigation that followed
Mr.. Abingdon looked on askance as he
wrote checks for $4,000 and $4,000 Oh
the York and Leeds banks respective
ly. but even Philip himself gave al
astonished laugh when he saw his own
signature written with quiet certainty
and accuracy.
"Oh, that's nothingw cried Grenlel
In momentary elation. 81 took in Mr.
Abingdon and sent complete letter
to the London bank"
"You did not take me in," growled
Abingdon. "You made one fatal mis-
take"
"And what was that, sir?"
"You alluded to the annual report ol
the home Every one connected will
that establishment. from the founder
down to the latest office boy, invaria
bly, calls 1t the Mary Anson home.
Mr.. Arson would never write Of it IL
other terms
Grenler was again abashed.
"Have you any money in your pock
et?" said Philip when the forger hat
accounted for every tartling.
For one appreclable instant Greniel