Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-29
The Daily Story
A CHRISTMAS PRIVILEGE-BY THEL R. MORTON.
Copyrighted 1913. by Associated Literary Bureau
MORTON.

was met by the Lady Maude. who sale
to him:
There is something 1 would like to
say to you, but should not"
There's no fun. Lady Aiaude, In say
ing only what we should say"
Perhaps had better tell you. II
don't something might happen. Papa
called today for some old clothes OF
one of the tenants. l have found out
what use he purposes to make OF
them
What is it?"
Hes going out to play poacher on
his own preserves. I fancy It is to
find out why you are not dealing
harshly with the real poachers. have
been afraid that II didn't warn you
you might shoot him by mistake"
That's very wise of you"
The girl passed on. and Anderson
went to the wood. He kept wide
awake during the night. listening for
shot. About midnight he heard
bang" not far away and went stealth
fly toward where the sound had seem
ed to be. On the way he heard anoth-
er shot so near that. fearing to be dis
from whence he saw a poacher picking
up a bird
THE old skinfiint is doing the killing
for his own table" he unused.
There was snow on the ground and
q rising moon. These together ena-
bIed the keeper to distinguish the earl.
Anderson waited till the latter brought
down another bird and when it was
being taken up fell upon him. seized
his gun and. throwing ii away. gave
him a sound drubbing. Then. Selling
him by the collar. he hustled him to
the fence and threw him over it into n
ditch
Waiting near TO make sure that Mer-
ivale was not seriously injured and
seeing his bedraggled figure limp
away. Anderson, instead of resuming
his watch, went to his room. where he
sat down al a table and wrote the fol-
lowing:
NOTICE.
Tomorrow being Christmas. permission
is given for tenants and neighbors TO
shoot in my preserves what game Is need
ed for Christmas dinner.
Having prepared this Information, he
took 1t, with hammer and tacks. to the
gateway of the estate and tackled It In
a conspicuous position. Then. return
ing to his room, he went to bed.
The next day Lord Merivale kept his
room. Just before noon he heard a
banging in his grounds that sounded
as If a battle were being fought there.
With difficulty getting out of bed and
into his clothes. he went downstairs.
On the portico he encountered Ander-
son talking to his daughter, Lady
Maude The former had thrown OFF his
keepers dress for the costume OF
western American. The latter seemed
to be in a state of excitement
what means this flring?" demanded
Merivale.
"The poor are killing birds for their
Christmas dinners" returned Ander-
son.
THE poor. Killing my birds for
Christmas dinner"
"Killing my birds by my permission"
your birds? BY your permission?
who are you to talk like this?'
81 am the owner of this estate. Lis
ten, uncle. Your older brother, Ralph,
quarter of a century ago went to
America. There he became cowboy
and was killed In an encounter with
party of Indians. Some years ago you
sent an agent to America who learned
and Observation-Disclosures to your salts
faction-this fact but your agent failed
to discover that there had been a mar
rage between your older brother and
the daughter OF a rancher. I sprang
from that marriage. / am your brother
Ralph's SON."
AS this brief story developed Meri-
vale turned pale. After pausing a few
at this point the narrator
continued:
"My father left the proofs OF his
identity with my mother. When | be
came Of age a few months ago she told
me that was the grandson OF an Eng
lish nobleman. I came here to learn
the situation. came as a stranger. for
II I found that was entitled 10 this
estate and it was In worthy hands I
might decide not 10 make myself
known. I have found It in the hands OF
one unworthy OF II and have decided
to take it to myself"
"The proofs" cried the earl hoarse.
y. "You say you have the proofs?"
Beyond doubt-my fathers state.
nent. the marriage certificate and tho
record Of my birth"
Then" moaned the earl. I'VE ar.
beggars"
mo. you are not beggars. For tho
sake of my cousin Maude you will be
amply provided for"
The Lady Maude was provided for fl
! way that was not mentioned at the
ime for when her cousin had estab.
ished his claim to the title and the en-
allied estate he proposed TO make her
lis wife. and she accepted the PROPOSE.
ion.
A custom prevails on the Merivalo
state that on every day before Christ.
mas the tenants and neigbbors may
boot all the game they want for their
Iwn use at Christmas dinner.