Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1910-01-06
CORNERED

did house he had purchased from the
duke Of St. Dayid's with one Of bis
many millions made ID Mexico
Plainly be vas uneasy. There was
q knock a. the door and he butler
entered.
Two gentlemen wish 70 see you
on important business, sir. Here are
their cards"
"Mr. Ferdinand Harrison Of 'soci.
ETY. Sketches and Mr.. James Ma
gilre. Introduced By James Strobe.
Mr.. Harrison was a slim. dapper
little fellow, with a perpetual smile
on his face. A striking contrast, IN
deed, 10 Mr.. Mcguire, who was q pow
erfully built man. with g disagree
able oountenance. Yet. somehow.
the millionaire thought that he pre-.
ferred Maguire's scowl to Mr.. Harri-
sons perpetual smile.
Charming day, isn't It, Mr.. Gran
thorne?" remarked the editor Of 80
ciety Sketches"
The millionaire nodded.
Mr.. Harrison seated himself,
beamed on MT. Cranthorne and said:
"In a charming villase Of Sussex
there lived, rs years ago, a young
man named James Strobe, This
young man led q highly creditable
life ell his marriage proved unhappy.
$50 one day. when his wife had
been more than usually aggravating
her temper did not improve when
she was drunk-James Strobe van
ished. He left his money and what
valuables he had behind and shipped
aboard a vessel bound for the States.
There he became very wealthy
aand took a new name. Then re-
turned to England and marri the
daughter Of an earl.
"His first wife is still nv hg and
would jump at the chance Of prose
cutting James Strobe for bigamy.
Now this is where we come in.
The knowledge Of this unfortunate
fact is confined to those present in
this room. Why, ask. should II 80
further?"
why, indeed2" queried Mr.. Gran
thorne.
We'll" continued the editor, In his
most insinuating manner, I'VE GER
tainly deserve some recompense for
suppressing such a striking news
item. Shall we leave it to you 10
suggest a sunni"
''No, it's your game-that is, unless
! decide to call in the police"
You've no proof" said the smiling
editor. "Your word against ours
what's that? This is a good thing
for us, Mr.. Cranthorne. It should
be worth a good lump sum to us;
only you might demur. thinking that
when the first sum was paid we
might come down on you for fur
Their sums"
That possibility has occurred TO
me" said the millionaire
$50 we concluded that II might
suit all parties best II we arrange
for regular payments You will send
to an address in Paris that shall
give you ESQ IN notes every week.
And If fail to comply with this
kindly suggestion2"
"Oh, you're a reasonable man, Mr..
Cranthornel But II you should prove
obstinate-well. We go to press on
Saturday. haven't thought Of the
headlines. but / think they'd run:
The Rubber King-Fraud and Big
amist-Bass Deception Of an Earl's
Daughter-Wil a Warrant Be 10.
sued3"
y wish this proposition had been
made to me in Mexico" said the mil
lionaire.
Fifty pounds a week ls E lot Of
money"
'sBigamy is q very serious onense.-
replied The editor.
We'll" said Mr.. Cranthorna. you
gentlemen have cheeFsd me Z good
deal. had the blues this mornins. |
Lils seemed . very empty buslnsss
but I zee there's . bright lining 70 |
sVeFy cloud. An, that's the noise /
was expsetingl Come 70 the win
aowi"
Catch him. Maguirei" said the ed.
itoF quickly Hen throw himself
outiT
Keep your hands OF. HE. Mcguire.
Z yoa value youF 6kinl Latsnl Cant 4
Tou hear tie newsbOyB ealiingf-
Thsy stood IN silence for q mo
nent, waiting an the rauoOas voices
same nearer.
They're sure TO cone to this
square" said the millionaire. you'll
hear EN- n q moment under the win
iowl"
A gasping nswsboy hurried into
he square. shouting, Great sensa-
lion in the Cityl Rubber King Bank
ruptl"
Mr.. Cranthorne chuckled as he saw
The faces Of the partners fall.
"You may be interested to know
that the Mexican government have
repudiated the rubber concessions I
secured. This action Of theirs has
ruined me absolutely, and this morn
Ing my petition IN bankruptcy was
aled. Publish what you like. when
ILL., s-~haa. .r.s. HfT-a Iai.....-..a.r ]