The Detroit times., 1912-06-10

1 disappointed. We'll, well, ne sdiu'
IL suppose we'd better get TO business
first. but have some delightful new
records that am sure would interest
you. Still, you are right; We had bet
ter have our talk. Now just what Was
IL that you wished TO see Mr. Bond
about?"
II don't quito know how to answer
/ YOU" | replied. my business with
Mr.. Bond Is OF very private and per-
sonal nature. II you know where ne
Is, couldn't you simply send me 10
/ him without knowing what wanted
! The old gentleman rubbed his chin
thoughtfully. See here" he said,
after a reflective moment, you'd bet
ter start right In at the beginning and
tell me what is the matter. | know,
IN the first place. that you're not look.
/ iEg for Ephraim Bond just for the
pleasure OF seeing him, for 10 rue
4 you appear perfectly sane. He has
done something to you or you want
something from him; one or the other.
perhaps BOTH" and he paused, eying
me shrewdly TO SEQ how well his SHOT
had told.
Come, come" he said, as I still
/
afraid to confide in me. give you my
word that I viii hold everything you
say as sacred. and. unless am very
much mistaken, | can help you IN
some small measure. | know Ephraim
Bond and have known him for some
years. but he is no friend of mine. In
/ fact, don't care for him at all. Bet
ter speak up. Has he cheated you or
does he owe you money!"
| Circumstance had never given me
confidant in life. Since my mothers
Death | had always had to thresh out
every problem by myself, and as best
could. unaided. Now In my ex.
tremity with Nancy gone, with no
| friends. and with, as | knew, a def
mite effort being made against my
/ search and the search now a seem.
ingly blind one, this chance acauaint-
ance, this mild-mannered. gentle old
enthusiast appealed TO a sense other
than my reason, yet wistfully strong
enough to overshadow a cautious mis-
trust.
| Have you ever seen Ephraim
Bonds niece?" | asked
There" said the old gentleman,
there, just excuse me for moment,
will you?"
He jumped up from his chair and
disappeared through a door near the
end OF the room.
Just as | thought" he said, com
ing back a moment later: that Mino
bird is washing i'm my water pitcher.
| keep II covered generally, for he'll
be sure 10 drown himself. IL would
4 hp MI \
my water in a pail. But, try As
will, ] can't keep that bird out o. It.
They live In swamps, you know. Now
what was 1t you asked me?"
His expression was so frankly open,
his voice so kindly and his manner
so free from any thought OF offense.
that, startled and upset as was.
could not find IL in my heart to do
other than repeat my question
His niece" said the old gentleman.
ito be sure, he did have a niece. What
about herr"
J | had almost made up my mind 10
tell him the whole story, but his in
lterruptions and his sudden questions
we're so disconcerting that now
paused. not knowing exactly where 10
commence.
Come, come" said the old gentle.
man, speak out, my dear sir, speak
out. But perhaps you think I'm not
treating you fairly. OF course / knew
his niece, knew her quite we'll at one
time, although have not seen her for
some years. Nancy, her name was: a
very pretty girl 70 my thinking"
lie had hitched his chair up to the
table, and had recommended the viz.
tnoso drumming that our departure
from the cafe had interrupted.
| Well" / said at last, 81 am very
anxious to find Miss Bond. She Is The
only reason want TO find her uncle"
DO you know" said the old gentle.
man, that I have utterly forgotten t,J
ask you your name? My name IL
ogilby, Martin Ogilby."
Mine Is Mason Ellsworth" said
Then may ask" said the old gen.
tleman pompously, lust what inter.
est you have, Mr.. Ellsworth, in Miss
Nancy Bond?"
Mr.. Ogilby," answered. 'T NAV ba
doing "a very foolish thing, but I am
IN great distress and you have been
KIND TO me. 4 am going to tell Won
The whole story from beginning 10
| end" "
The old gentleman smiled and nod.
ded. That" he said lis a very sens.
ible thing to do"
5(contInuec.)