Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-03-06


consider it a sacred duty to gain my
rights, and shall be supported by in
fuential friends. You will be wise not
to drive me to extremities, but to yield
UP the papers while am willing to make
some amieable arrangement with you and
your son. If you force me to fight / do
not promise that you get anything more
than you can justly claim. That, as you
know, is nothing, for you had no settle
ments, and in his viii my father express
~ left everything to his heir"
From Johns eyes as he spoke there
came a certain red gleam from under
lowered eyelids which none knew the
meaning of better than did the woman
before him. She had seen it so often
during her tempestuous year of married
life. 1t reused in her again the old fury
of revolt against a superior will which
had characterized her attitude to her
husband
II refuse to discuss this matter any
more with you, Mr.. Dene. Kindly leave
my house Immediately"
"As you choose, Lady Avrill," said John
composedly. He turned to the door, and
she stood coldly defiant, till, hearing the
sound of step in the hall, she rushed at
him.
"Wait!" she cried breathlessly "One
moment!"
1T is your son, is it not Pardon me,
wish to speak to him." and John opened
the door and passed through.
Vincent, ready dressed for riding, was
lounging to the hall door when he caught
sight of his former secretary. His face
bore the marks of dissipation, his eyes
were bloodshot, his whole bearing reck-
less and insolent.
''What brings you here?" he demanded
savagely
Necessity" replied John. Listen, Vim
You and | thought each other brothers
for years, and we were nearer the truth
than we fancied lately. Be frank with
me, old fellow, and I'll see you have it
all made as easy for you as possible.
Vim, your father is my father too, and
my mother was his first wife"
Vincent made a movement as if to
strike the other with his riding whip
Then he caught sight of his mothers
agonized face in the doorway and laughed
shrilly.
"Outwitted at lastl" he cried. Didn't
i say you'd better tell me all? You and
your genius for scheming seem to have
made a COMPOUNDED hash of it all-eh?
And as for you, Mr.. Dene, [ recommend
you to make yourself scarce | don't
care who your father and your mother
We're; nor did they apparently, judging
from the way you started in life. But
this one thing do know. / am Viscount
Ayrill, and | am determined that | will
keep the title till my last breath Do
your worst!"
He was so plainly the worse for drink
that John refrained from a reply, and
stood silent while the man servant opened
the door; but as he perceived the horse
outside, scarcely to be held by the stall
wart groom at his head, he ran forward,
crying eagerly
Not that horse Vincent He'll throw
you! He's veritable demon; it isn't
safe to ride him'
"I've seen you on him." retorted the
other disdainfully, as he prepared to
mount.
Eyes, but I'm more used to horses than
you are" replied John.
Vincent sprang awkwardly into the
saddle.
Just you clear out, You scoundreI!"
he shouted, brandishing his whip. You'll
get nothing out of this Do your worst !!
It'll all one to me. I'm not afraid of you
and your threats. l care for nothing you
can do! Give him his head!''
This was shouted to the groom, who
stepped back at the command, and the
great beast plunged down the avenue.
John turned to Lady Avrill, horror
of pity in his eyes.
you would do we'll to pray for your
sonl" he exclaimed "He is in no state to
manage that horse"
Lady Avrill pointed to the door.
Your insolence is intolerable, sir.
repeat my sons words. Do your worst!
Make your claim! Take any action you
choose! | defy you to produce any
proofs"
John walked down the steps in silence.
He realized his position, and knew the
desperate woman had taken good care to
suppress all evidence of his mothers
marriage. Well, it meant a long and
probably hopeless fight; but it should
be fought, as much for the sake of that
dead mother as for any other reason.
He would now hear all that the duke
could tell him of her.
Suddenly his reverie was broken in
upon by wild tumult. Hoofs came
laundering towards him at terrific speed,
accompanied by yells of terror Along
the avenue riderless--raced the horse
which his half-brother had mounted a
few moments ago. And behind him,
shouting, gestieulating madly, galloped
the groom
Where was Vincent? John asked him
self, and then turned pale with horror as
he saw the answer to his question.
Dragged along the ground, one foot
still caught in the stirrup, came ghast-
ly thing, covered with dust, crashing vio-
lenfly against stones or trees, as the
frenzied brute, covered with foam, bolted
instinetively straight for his stables.
One awful scream came from the steps
as Lady Avrill ran down the avenue
What she would have done it is i'm
possible to say; in her fierce maternal
passion she mint have attempted TO Crap
pie with the horse. But some one was
beforehand-some one possessing steady
nerves and wrists of steel, and a low