Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-10

was going 20 be a tremendous financial
success-has gone smash. and--and-the
interest on your mortgage Is due neat
Matthew Sheppard chuckIed again.
And you want me TO let you on. eh:
40. no. only give. me time, For the
sake OF my boy Lionei-your godson-'
And heirs that what you are think
much misfsk MISTAKE G have aPe eft o him nI' some Sg
thing. good round sum. watching his
guests face keenly. but am going 90
UP fresh will. am going to cut that
mink. Audrey Byng. out OF IL. and may
as we'll alter the whole thing while ] am
about f. Your fine Lionel can work for
his living, II Is far better for him than
doing nothing. spending money in waste
of the present day are. won't help one
OF fhem 70 go TO- ne a devil tha ~ way Cir
James asked Indignantly. He In steady
and well behaved. and IL will be most un-
Il may DO as choose with my .own
money. I suppose" old Mr. Sheppard
'and let me tell YOU. Sir James Ashwell.
that n the money on that mortgage -
not paid on the proper day. ] viii fore
close at once. shall give Pinto my IN
structions tomorrow. And not a penny
OF mine shall any child Of yours inh crit "
All the blood In the haroncts bod
seemed 10 rush TO his head. and how D."
got out OF the house he never knew. Its
dog cart with the groom was waiting for
him outside. and the man declared after
ward he scarcely knew his master, he
was that boiling and raging with fury.
and sent the mare along at a pace more
like the way Mr. Lionel drives than STR
James. usual sober way OF getting
along
II was three miles to woodacre. tht
Ash wells hne old place. by the road
the fields. sir James was the third bar
ouet. and when he had come into tho
property, about twenty. wears before. or
the death of his elder brother he found
It heavily charged and encumbered WITH
debt. He had married ten years before
that. the charming hut penniiess dauEl-
ter OF a cIergyrnar. and their family con-
sisted OF two daughters and two sons, TIE
Younger OF whom. Lionel. was the sub
ject OF discussion between his godfather
Matthew Sheppard. and SIR James.
promised 10 provide for Lionel ~ had al
ways been an understood thing that he
would do so. and the boy. after leaving
own taste and study painting. with The
idea that there was no need for him -
The eldest son. Laneelot was in The
army. serving with his regiment in sout!
futile desire to fee the estate from So
debts that Sir James had embarked ~
speculation. under the advice or a some
what INSCRIPTIONS agent in London.
His first venture uufortunately was
successful and brought him him n 1900. o ara
he had been hoping 10 repeat the pros.
porous undertaking and recoup himself
for his failures. This interview win
Mr. Sheppard had been y crushing blow
Not only had he failed To gain time Tor
the payment Of the money he owed. but
no had unwittingIy done Lionel the worst
possible turn. for II the old man altered
his will. as he had threatened TO do on
the morrow. and cut out the boys name,
what was he 10 do In the future
He pulled up his h9r5ss a. the iodEc
might take the trap home. as he was go-
ing to look az some Young plantation
with fresh ANNOYANCE the damaged pail
inRs and broken hedges. and when ~ be-
gan TO grow dark found. somewhst 20 big
surprise. that In his abstraction he hdI
wandered farther than he had intended
and that he was within mile Of Breni-
borough House. The rain had ceased,
there was a high wind springing up and
the promise OF better weather on The
pulse got over a stile close by and made
for Brentborough House again II was
the last chance totn9rro~
would be sent for and the viii altered
he must, ~ any rate. try once more
that old brute was SO @xaSperating snI
Sir James knew that his own passion
avoided. II was quite dark now. hIt
later there would be q moon. which
would enable him 10 get back 70 Wood,
for Lioners sake he hesitated no longer.
but STROBE rapidly on.
81 be, and It's past o'clock" said Mar
tha GROSSLY 10 her coadlutor. Susan. vic
She he" Termed term Si scraps n Tor ne Pig
You had hest 20 and see. ] should
think" Susan suggested and. grumbiinE-
Is. Martha went on her way ana opened
the front door about two inches
II wanted 20 see Mr. sheppard Just for
1--WE minutes" Sir James said.
viii Sc see ' you a. this hour Marths re-,
Just ask him. viii you7 forgot
something had 80 say 10 him this after.
Martha shook her head doubtfuliy. but
departed and Sir James sank on chair
eb .9e s@ cd pPd pf%as S'' re ss e
bied and he bresthed heavily. like man
tened eagerly for the servants return.
as ~ anxious TO know n the interview
But Martha came running back with
unwonted CELEBRITY. and with face -
cannot make master hear Hes lying
back IN his chair. looking Ike n ghost
And he won't answer me"
Sir James face was nearly ~ white
az hers as he said. Where Is Miss
Byng? Il she MOI with him7"
ago. hoard her slam the front door
She amt come IN yet VIII you come
Though this vas What he vas there
for. the barOuef nov seemed unWiiliuC
70 force bis presence UPON The Cd rrsn
turned and followed Martha 10 the small
breskfasf-rOom.
Matthew Sheppard was a. she nrst
said. lying hack in his chair. His face
was sharp and awful. his eyes wide open
and over all was the CHASTITY pailor ~
death
Speak 70 him" Sir James said I'm
hosrse voice. and Martha obeyed
Master, wake up. Here Is Sir James
come back again"
Then she shook him gently By tie
arm. with the most appalling result
first the head fell forward. then ths
whole body heavily and slowly rolled tc
the noOr-and as the Old shabby COZ
slipped aside. On the frayed white shirt
front there was plainly 10 be seen a iargS
crimson stain.
Continued In The Chicago Record-Her.
Md next Thursday Iauuarx 10Th