Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-24
MA T

face at the mans words, but he followed out
the direction
He did not have to ring at the door bell,
however. While his hand was on the tarnish-
ed knob, voice spoke, quickly:
Who's there?"
window OF room looking out on the portico
Il am looking for Mr.. Percival-Mr. Arnold
Perciyal, sir, and"
"What for? Who are you?" demanded a
sharp voice. Here, come in through the hall.
III do as well, | reckon"
The man had just gnited match and lit
lamp as 10 stumbled into room from the
dark hallway
10 looked around curiously. He found him.
self In musty apartment. Its carpets were
rolled up In corner, the furniture was COW
cred with mating, and only where the man
he had seen was seated did the least sign
OF business or social occupancy of the room
prevail
Here table was Uttered with writing ma
terial. At it sat dark man of middle
age, and, as he regarded his visitor, his cat-like
eyes impressed 10 verv disagreeably..
''Sit down." he said What is it--a mes
saga bill
"No, sir. I expected to find Mr.. Percival
"Old Dobbs told you he wasn't in the city!
That's right. But ! represent him. what
is it? Tn his nephew and business man.
Meserves my name" >.
"Uh, know you, MT Meser'e! toh
you know me? I'm relative. of yours, too;
10 Morris impetuosity produced remark
able effect on the man.
He started scowled, stared incredulously at
10, and only muttered: 49,
''Whatl you a relative of miner -.
al am" pusued 10, spontaneously. "Youn
do as we'll as Mr. Percival-better, know
YOU. You are my fathers cousin, Cyrus Me-
serve. You went away with hlm TO the
West seven years ago, and can tell me wnere
he is"
A sound like the click of gun-lock echoed
in the mans throat. His face wore dusky
shade of pallor. .,
'Boy." he gasped, whats your name?
"Jo Morrisi l am the son OF John john MOTIFS 1
your old mining partner, your cousin, and 1
came here to find his uncle, MIR. Perciyal.
Tell me, sir, l implore you, is my father
aliye?"
Unsuspicious Jo! Amid his exuberant de.
light at finding relative--for. he knew Cyrus
Meserve to be such-wild with anxiety as to
what that relative might tell him OF hls
fathers fate, he did not pause either to OBJ,
serve or analyze the powerful and varied
emotions vividfy portrayed on the face OF his
host.
The man, choking down gasp, fumbled
with the lamp, moved restiyeiy, stared at 10,
then at the floor, and looked like a person
struggling deeply to subdue his feelings to
outward calmness.
81 guess you're right # you're 10 Morris"
he m9mbled, at last. "Howo came you here,
though? Did your mother find OUT! -,
"My mother is dead" answered Jo. softly.
'T came alone. 1t was all accident"
And then, crowding into sentence vol
ume, 10 rapidly related his story.
A sigh Of infinite relief escaped Meserve's
lips as Jo concluded. Some, deep satisfaction
at the details of the story brought back the
color to Meserve's face.
For moment there was crafty, Thoughtful
look in his eyes.
:, "Its all very strange he said. 1--WE
ago We'll, Mr.. Percival has gone away"
"But my ffatherii.,, cried 10, earnestly. "You
have not told mel"
Meserve took up the lamp.
"0h, your. . father is al ~ right paad;. he said
It's more comfortable than here. Then I'll
tell you all about him., That's it. follow me.
Here you are; step in"
He had proceeded briskly down the hall.
When he reached door he, unlocked it..
stepped aside and slightly forced Jo forward.
The next moment Cyrus Meserye drew the
door shut with sudden slam, leaving Jo alone
in complete darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY