Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-28

astounding adventures found their CEN
ter and genesis.
Mr.. Abingdon did not doubt for one
moment that the boy was telling the
truth. The romance of his narrative
was far beyond fiction.
Philip himself grew enthusiastic as
he went on. His brown eyes blazed
again with the memory of his wrath
and shame at the arrest He told the
Magistrate how the proceedings in court
had affected him, and gave a vivid pic
ture of his bargaining with IsaacSteln,
the packing Of the diamonds, the fight
between the policeman and a burglar,
his interviews with all sorts and con-
ditions of men. and the ruses ne had
adopted to preserve his secret.
At last he came to the TRANSACTION
which secured for him the ownership OF
the news itself. He read copies of his
letters TO the solicitors, and their re-
plies, and then, of course, the MaglS-
trate knew where the meteor had fallen.
THAT is a very clever move on your
part" he said, smiling. 1t invests you
with all the rights and usages of that
stops any one from disputing your pos
session of the meteor. How did you
come to think of it?"
you put the iaea in my mind, sir"
said Philip, mOdestly.
81? In what Manner
You limited at our last meeting tnat'
some one might lay claim to my dia-
mondS on the ground that they nad
L
tend that any one living, except your
self, should ever know the history or
my meteor, but / thought it best to buy
the place outright in the first instance,
and then devote it to charity which
intend to found in memory of my
mother"
Mr. Abingdon smiled again.
Your confidence is very fattering,
he said. Il suppose you took up your
to impress people with your Importance
and secure instant compliance with your
wishes?"
'"That was my motive. sir.
Then, my young millionaire, IN What
way do you wish me to serve you! OK
course, you have not sought this inter
view and told me your story SO unre-
servedly without an Interior object In
view. You see, 1 am beginning to un.
derstand you already little better than
when we first met"
Philip did not reply Immediately. He
did not want to risk refusal. and ne
was not yet quite sure that the Magis.
trate fully comprehended the extent of
the fortune which had beeG showered
on him from natures own mint
when Mr.. Isaacstein returns from
Amsterdam he will pay me something
like 40, 900 pounds" he said.
Eyes. 1t would seem so from the re-
ceipt you have shown me-.
THAT will be determined on Wednes-
day next at the latest"
'If the money is forthcoming it will
be proof positive that my diamonds are
Of good quality, and, as l picked up
those dirty stones quite promiscuously,
same standard?''
Undoubtedly. -"
swell, Mr.. Abingdon, | can form no
estimate OF their collective value, but
they must be worthy many millions.
According to Mr.. lsaacstein's views, ]
will be able to command revenue of
between a quarter and half million
sterling per annum."
1T is marvellous, perfectly appalling
in some senses.' cried the perturbed
| lawyer, throwing up his hands in the
extremity of his amazement.
You are right, sir. l am only boys
can see quite clearly that while ought
to be at college obtaining proper edu-
cation. will be worrying about the care
of great sums of money. l do not
should 1? 1 have no older relatives. no
! friends whom | can trust For some
reason 1 do feel that l can have
faith in you. Will you take charge OF
my affairs, advise me during the next
few years, tell me how to act as my
mother would have told me-in word,
become my GUARDIAN"
For a little while Mr.. Abingdon was
silent. When words came he could
| only gasp:
You certainly are the most extraor-
binary boy have ever encountered"
Then Phil laughed merrily.
II don't think, sir, that l am so much
an extra ordinary boy as boy who has
position. l hope most sincerely that
you will do what 1 ask. If i may say
so, without preSumption,s 1t will be
good thing for you: l suppose man
entitled to vastly bigger income than
one who sits hours in police court
dealing with offenses against the Jaw"
The Real Boss.
such has certainly been my expert
ence," said the magistrate, who ap-
peared pleased because Philip limited at
a good fat salary for controlling the
estate of the King Of Diamonds.
Then you agree cried Philip, joy
ously.
his wife. Mrs. Abingdon would never
forgive me if 1 took such an important
step without consulting her. You will
| remain to dinner"
Then Philip knew that he had gained
his point Nothing was said before the
servants but when they were cozily
ensconced in the library before a pleas
ant fire, he was asked to relate again
his enhancing history, for Mrs. Abing-
dons benefit.
The good lady was overwhelmed.
She, like everybody else. had read the
newspapers, and, of course, had the adj
ditional benefit of the unkempt boy with
his small parcel of valuable gems.
But the presence of Philip under their
roof, the glamor of the tale as it fell
from his lips, cast spell over her. She
was kindly soul. too, and tears gath
cred in her eyes at some portions of
the recital.
What a pity 1t Is that your motoher
died." she murmured, when he had