The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-07-10
CHAPTER XVI (Continued)
A Grim Joke.


He did not leave the house. He
determined to do nothing which /
might shake anyone's belief in the |
farce that was being played. He
would see the mockery out to the
bitter end. This was not long in
coming The inquest was held with
out delay and the early impress
sions were confirmed 1t was a case
of circumstantial evidence Radford
Leicester had limited at suicide to
the proprietor of the Red Lion Ho-
tel. Taviton. Since that time he
had not been seen alive by any
who had previously known him. He
had also left Tayiton in disgrace
his political career being blighted,
while it was commonly believed that
Miss Castlemaine had refused TO
marry him because she had discov-
| cred something disgraceful in his
/ life. His drinking habits were known
| to many. Therefore, when body
was discovered, and on it two proofs
OF its identity, the jury could come
/ II no other conclusion than they did.
Moreover, a strange coincidence
took place at the inquest. The so
licitor of Radford Leicester appear
ed, bearing a document signed by
the said Radford Leicester. stating
his desire that in the event of his
death, his property should be al.
lowed to accumulate for ten years
should then be given to Guys hos
phal This solicitor was an old
man of the name of Mr.. Flipp, an
exceedingly eccentric but a much
respected member of the profession.
Accordingly verdict of suicide
while in an unsound condition of
mind was brought in, and order
We're given that the body should be
buried, the expenses to be paid out
OF the deceased gentleman's estate
Leicester went to the funeral. Mr..
Flipp was there together with Win
field ani two or three others with
whom he had been on terms of in
timacy. He had so disguised himself
that no suspicion was aroused. and
he stood quite near the grave when
the service was read.
He could have laughed aloud. No
. srimmer joke was ever perpetrated
He looked curiously at the bystand-
ers, and watched the expression on
their faces. Mr. Flipps face was as
eXpressionless as that of the Sphinx
Winfield looked very thoughtful; the
others seemed to pay but little
heed.
"A product of heredity. environ.
ment, and hard lines" said Winfield
to his companion, as he accompa.
MED him to the carriage.
Poor old Leicester. wonder
where he is now" said the other.
The carriage door closed. and n
few seconds later no one but him
self stood at the graveside, save the
workmen who were filling in the
grave
There's not much grief or sent.
fent about the matter" said Leices.
ter, as he walked away. Still. it's
been an experience worth having.
fancy l am one of the very few
men who have ever attended their
own funeral in this fashion"
When he got outside the cemetery
he passed by the newsagent's shop.
and noticed the placards on the
board outside
THE CURSE OF DRINK: SAD
END OF \ BRILLIANT YOUNG
! POLITICIAN"
He went in and bought the paper
which could best be described as a
kind of religious police news. When
he got back TO his room he read tn
article. which had used him for its
text
I'm of some value to the world.
anyhow" he said with laugh. 81
should not be surprised if sermons
are not preached about me on Sun.
day. II would be worth while TO
fird ii out Bun there. no one would
preach a funeral sermon about me.
although ! must say | should like to
hear one"
I'm finished with London. finished
| With the wn-lh now, hn u-on, o,,