Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-05

iI..l .t.'u stc.'-- is darkspue streets /
sad I.u. alleys. its novels and yari Us
i-'.ial.oiS. Md this knowledge he !
ufil.l.rl - tie best advantage, always !
t. tHi thGt lis efforts came H. Taught |
Reluctantly John Steele concluded |
Il 30 the nam lie sought had made his !
Wy o.t OF London; otherwise the facil- |
lies ~ Liz command were such that !
l., ST III most Likely ere this have
lr"u able t. attain Iii: cDd-fnd what
he desired. Sobcrly alfred he attract
al 10 very marked attention in the
sums, breeding spots Of the criminal
classes. The denizens knew John
Steele lie had been there oft before.
He had on occasion assisted some of
them with stern good advice or more
substantial sery ices. He was acquaint-
ed with these men and women, had
pc'h:4p a larger charity for them than
most people find It cxpedient to cher
ish. One man had seen the object Of
Steele's solicItude. and TO this person,
weakened little undesirable" the
red headed giant had confided that
London was pretty hot and he thought
of decamping from 1t.
"'Arter all this time that's gone BY
he says to me. bitter like, to think
man can't come back to is native 'Ome
without being spied on for what ought
long ago to be dead and forgotv"
What brought him to London?"
Il expect 1t was 'omesickness, sir.
'E's been bad lot, but e has cart,
arter all. 1t was to see is mother e
came back; the old woman drew i'm
ere You see, e had written 'er from
foreign parts, but could never ear
cause she had moved. Used to keep
place where woman was found
"Dead?"
Murdered" said the man. John
Steele was silent. "And she, lis moth
er, 'ad gone, 'aving saved bit. out
into peaceable-like little 'amiet,
where there weren't no hobbies. only
instead bits Of flower gardens and
bright bloomin' daffy-dOwn-dillies But.
blime me. when Tom come and found
out where she 'ad changed to if she
'adn't gone and shufiied off, and all
e 'ad for is pains was the sight Of
mound in the churchyard."
Yes; she's buried" said John Steele
thoughtfully, land all she might have
told about the woman who was-mur-
dered is buried with her."
"But she did tell. sir. at the time"
quickly. 'of the trial."
True" The visitors tone changed
"If you can find Tom give him this
note. You'll be well paid
Il amt askin' for that. You got me
Off easy once and gave me a lift AFTER
was let OUT
well, well!' Steele made a brusquc
gesture. I'VE all need Il helping hand
sometimes" he said. turning away.
And that was as near as he had
come to attainment Of his desires.
Summer passed. Sometimes. the
better to think, to plan. to keep him
self girded by constant exercise. he
repaired to the park, now neglected by
fashion and given over to that nebu-
lous quantity Of diverse qualities call
ed the people.
How do you do. Steele? Just the
man l wanted to see-'
Near the main exit toward which
John Steele had unconsciously STEP
ped the sound Of familiar voice and
the appearance Of we'll known stocky
form broke In with startling abrupt
ness on the dark train Of thought.
deep in some point Of law" went
on Sir Charles. '''Pon honor. believe
you would have cut me. However.
don't apologize: you're forgiven
Most amiabe Of you to say so. Sir
Charles" perfunctorily.
Not at all. Especially as our meet
ing is quite apropos. Obliged to run
up to town on a little matter Of bust
ness: but. thank goodness. it's done.
Never saw London more deserted.
Dined at the club. nobody there. Sup
ped at the hotel. dining room empty.
Strolled up Piccadilly. not soul to
be seen. That Is" he added. mo one
whom one has seen before. which Is
the same thing. But how did you en-
Joy your trip to the continent?'
ut was not exactly trip for pleas
ure." returned the other. with q slight
accent Of constraint.
"Ah, yes; so l understood. But
fancy going to the continent on bust
ness! One usually goes for-which
reminds me. how would you like to go
back into the country with meY'
81? 1t is impossible at the moment
for
But Sir Charles seemed not to listen.
"Deuced dull journey for a man to
take alone, good deal Of It by coach.
You'll find a few salmon to kill. trout
and all that. Think Of the joy of
whipping a stream after having been
mewed up all these months in the
musty metropolis. Besides. made a
wager with Jocelyn you wouldn't re-
fuse second opportunity to bask in
Arcadia" He laughed. 81 really
couldn't presume to ask him again.
is the way she expressed it. but II
you can draw a sufficiently eloquent
picture Of the rural attractions Of
Strathorn to WOO him from his beloved
dusty byways you have my permis-
sion to try"
spoke quickly, then, II am sorry it
is impossible. but" in low tone,
chow is Miss WrayY
"Never better. Enjoying every mo-
ment. Jolly party and all that. Lord
ROnsdale and Here Sir Charles
enumerated number Of people
Lord Ronsdale is there:"
Strathorn House now" he laughed |
''As matter of fact, he has asked my
permission to- There!" Sir Charles |
stopped. then laughed again with a |
little embarrassment. 1--WE nearly let
the cat out Of the bag"
John Steele spoke no word. His face |
was set, immovable.
You mean he has proposed for her |
hand, and she"-Steele seemed to speak |
~