Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-17


strange, conflicting mixture of reproach |
and parental love.
'Dicky," he sighed, "1'm glad to see
you all right, my boy. but you've given
your poor old dad heap of worry.
Now, what's all this mess about?"
The greeting between father and son
was brief, because the hombshell reve-
lation of the sons identity brought |
another powerful actor to the fore. 10
Harriet 1t had come as n tingling re-
lief, for in flash she understood why
Richard had concealed his name, and
she found herself smiling happily in
answer to his fathers courteous bow,
but to Jacob Renwyck the effect was
far more serious, inasmuch as lie
seemed to be the target at which this
particular shell was aimed. In speech
less rage he glared at his former col
league, glared also at the son and
finally gared more fercely still at
Michael Corrigan. who advanced, with
a smile of greeting. to the visitor
Hello. Bill! How are you?" he be-
gan cordially as he shook the others
mighty fist.
Hello, Mixer was the return greet
ing. where's the tarantula that calls
my boy thief?"
He did not await an answer, but
turned instinctively toward his enemy,
and for an instant the two fearless
promoters stood sizing up each other
in utter silence; then Jacob Renwyck
spoke.
II dol" he cried MS it flashed upon
him how Richard might have used his
information In the harbor deal. 81
do, you villain, and include you in
the charge! You sent your son to spy
upon me, to steal my plans by mis-
cradle, underhand fraud! YOU
Jacob, Jacob" walled Mrs. Rem
wyck. BE careful what you say.
please.'
SSH" admonished Uncle Michael.
Don't spoil the fun, Julia. Let the
old boys go it. It'll do 'em good"
The old boys in question proceeded
to go 1t, but not for the sake of fun,
nor did it seem to do them any good
whatever. When Mr.. Renwyck paused
to catch his breath Bill Williams saw
his chance and took the floor.
"Why, you old spawned skate" he
Numbered, doubling up his hairy fist,
don't think that you can cover up
your tracks by abusing me or my boy
either! You tricked me away from
Texas on a blind trail, that's what you
did, while your buccaneering dummies
jumped my claim In Austin! Fooled
me on cold scent, did you, you fox?
Well, I'll have your brush yet If have
to auction off my last stump tailed
steer to do it,"
Dear me" quavered the Mortified
Miss Schermerly. what frightful Ian
gungew
Extra wd'n'ry!" nodded the British
ambassador, who had not the remotest
idea what 1T was all about. "Most ex-
trawd'n'ry! 'Pon my word!"
The two gladiators were now the
center of human ring, which gather
ed closer and closer about them. each
glowering at his hated adversary. each
waiting for the final crash to come.
II didn'tm Shouted Mr.. Renwyck.
you did,. the Texan beloved in
fat contradiction. why did you call
my son thief?"
Mr.. Renwyck looked abashed.
Well" he hedged, perhaps was
wrong in that. IL apologize"
Wont dol" stormed the angry cat
tie king. you've got to settle this
with me! Understand me. sir-with
me!'
Matters between the two frenzied
financiers, both equally courageous
and both equally enraged, had by this
time risen to an alarming pitch. and
1t devolved upon Mr.. Corrgan to pre-
vent personal encounter. tele
graph messenger had come to the door,
and the lawyer himself received the
dispatch. He tore open the envelope,
glanced at the contents, smiled and
turned to the two contestants.
gentlemen, gentlemen" he urged,
"you can accomplish nothing by tear
ing each other to pieces. / suggest
that we dismiss the major portion of
our audience. then settle this dispute
in the bosom of our respective, gentle
minded families"
Even Mr. Renwyck saw the wisdom
of this sage suggestion, and in mo-
ment more the detectives and Mr.. Par
ker were requested to wait outside
While the servants were for the time
dismissed. There remained in the hail.
besides the active threads of the hope
less snarl, Sir Rodney Hickwich, Miss
Schermerly and Miss Sempton. Both
ladies', being like members of the fam
.ily-not to refer to their human fem
mime curiosity-made no move to leave,
but the British ambassador. glad of
any excuse, took up his hat and gloves.
He rather fancied that he had happen
ed upon some private though loosely
conducted sanitarium, and during this
temporary lull in the tempest he tap
ped Richard on the shoulder and said
in n shaking tone:
"Er = pardon me, young man,
haven't the remotest idea what all this
means, and ! seem to have stirred it
up myself by innocently asking for
my friend, Lord Croyland. Since you
--er-since you had his name awhile
ago. could you chance to inform me
where might find his-ah-person?
YES" replied Richard, with CLINT
of merriment lighting up his eyes.
A'u VIII hhei Ills at
damaged. to be sure-in st. Luke's hos
pital, New York. Send in your card
and ask for Mr. Richard Williams. The
earl changed his name for fear that n
submarine would blow him up"
WHAT" exclaimed Miss Sempton
under her breath. She had called fire.
quently at the hospital and had spent
several long afternoons in admins
tering cheer to the sick man, which
the sick man had reciprocated through
the assistance of the rosy checked
nurse with flowers, confectionery, and
so on, for both of which the nurse had
an excellent taste. Miss Sempton had
belonged for years to a hospital visit
ing association and flower mission and
had never been SO glad of it before
$50 he's an English lord! How nice!