Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-05-26

| - - SSo uiuh hHoW us way aDOu
the house where his father and I haS
lived for 20 years and where he'C
spent his vacations at Christmas ant
Easter. But will say that he wa.
awfully nice-nicer than evel
thought Martin could be.
"Of course. picking him up on the
street as we did. he had no clothes
but what he stood up In. Pray ex
cuse my appearance he said; In 9
day or two, no doubt, my things viii
arrive Before we went in to dinner
l introduced him to my niece, Sylvia
Galloway, and I'm bound to say his
manners were irreproachable. They'd
never met before, you know, and
could see that he and Sylvia were al
once impressed with each other. But
to cut long story short-the things
been going on for three months now
Mr.. Valentine-Fm convinced that this
man. whoever he is, and although he
Is the exact image Of my son, Martin
Benson, is not my Martin. True. he
favors him In every respect-face
voice. manner and carriage-but you
cannot deceive q mothers heart, you
know"
Finney Valentine almost lost his
head oyer this curious narrative. II
was foreign to anything that had ever
come into his varied experience.
You say the servants all recognize
this man as your SOM" he queried.
Every one" said Mrs. Benson, land
they have been with us for years
Parkes in particular"
And your niece?"
she never met him until three
months ago. She's not really my
niece, you know, only the daughter of
a half-sister. But-snd here's the fun
ny part of it'd always hoped that
Martin, my Martin, you understand.
would fall in love with Sylvia. Well,
that's exactly what has happened; the
new mani can't really call him my
son-has completely bewitched Sylvia,
and they are as good as engaged"
The impudent impostor!" ex-
claimed Finney Valentine.
But you must not call him that"
quickly interposed Mrs. Benson. Hes
really nothing of the kind"
"How's that?" queried Valentine.
Well, 1t seems that he doesn't
know exactly who he Isl He claims
that he has lost his memory-when or
where he doesn't pretend to say-but
of one thing we may be sure-the
mans gentleman. OF course it wasn't
his fault that Parkes seized him on
the sidewalk In front of Beeman's and
forced him into my carriage. Parkes
insists that he Is his young master,
Martin Benson. Jr.. as do all the other
servants. Sylvia takes him at his
face value-which is simply nothing.
II say he is my son. Martin Benson.
that settles 1t. But himself. he doesn't
know, consequently the young man,
whoever he is. is no impostor."
II should like to speak with Parkes."
said Valentine.
"rn send him here-this afternoon"
promised Mrs. Benson. Il understand
the reason; you may question him
freely"
Finney bowed. And after that" he
went on, II shall probably have to
interview the young man himself"
"Oh, I'm sure Martin wouldn't
mind" came the quick answer you
see we have fallen into the habit Of
calling him Martin. although he says
he doesn't believe that's his real name
or identity. But you won't be cross
or harsh. Mr.. valentine7 Promise me-"
begged the old lady.
ION the contrary" said the inspec-
tor, "our one hope Of arriving at the
truth is to coax II from him by gentle
means. And. by the way. Mrs. Ben
son. suppose you have photograph
of your son-the real Martin Benson.
I mean? Yes! Then please let
Parkes bring It when he comes"
The old coachman must have start
ed right back after driving home his
mistress When he presented himself
at Valentines once his first act was
to hand over a square envelope, which
the former laid to one side. Then he
led the old servitor to talking about
his finding Of the young master.
Twas this way sor; had bin wait
In for tn mistress. an had just put
her in tn coopsy whin sees comm
down tn strate tn very man we'd all
bin longfn' Z meet. Course he was
a BIT thin about tn gills. an pale. an
his close was shabby; but twas tn
la-ad himself. glory bel Afore he cud
get away I'd grabbed him be tn arm,
an pushed him inside tn coopay; then
whips up tn HOSES for home. Was
sure? Now what sort Nv a question
do that be? 'Coorse was surel
Didn't ! tache him Z drive his first
powny? Surel"
And old Parkes grew redder than
ever In the face at this fool question.
So Valentine. seeing that he was hope
less. let him 60 after writing brief
note to Martin Benson, ESQ.," re-
luesting a.call at his earliest conven-
ence TO discuss matter in which
We are both interested"
When Parkes had gone dumping
Town the tiled corridor Valentine took
up the photograph. which was that OF |
rather good-looking and weIl-set-up
Toungster Of about four-and-twenty. |