The Holly chieftain., 1914-05-29
Mr. CORAN'S ELECTION
(Continued.)

(Sontinueo.l
MY brother refuses the movement
his support" she said in a loud. firm
voice. MY reply to him is torturer.
inquisitor. What are your views on
the subject?"
The same, my dear madam. as your
own,'. said the disgraceful little hypo-
critic. How does the cause progress
in Brendon?"
q trust that In few weeks our local
basis as to be a model to the whole
society"
Aunt is rather crank on anti
Wvisection," whispered Miss Emily in
my ear. DO be careful. II she tackles
you about It."
| laughed. and the subject changed
between US.
After the ladies' left, Coran began a
gloomy autobiography. His family, he
said. had been living In the north OF
England at the time OF the London es-
capade. No account of the affair.
which appeared In only one paper,
had reached them. He had left for
Sheffield shortly afterwards, and 1t
was not antii ten years later that the
death of his fnther had given him
couple of thousand pounds. with
which he bought share In his pres
ent business. which had greatly pros
pered.
Concerning Thomas Appleton, the
young man whom he suspected, he
spoke most bitterly. He was. indeed.
in the middle of his denunciations
when Peace slipped from his chair
and moved softly to the window.
With a swift jerk he drew the blind
aside and stared out. From where
sat could see an empty stretch OF
lawn with shrubs beyond showing
darkiy in the summer twilight
"A lovely evening"" he said over his
shoulder.
We both watched him in surprise as
he dropped the blind and walked back
TO his seat. stopping on his way to pat
the terrier that lay on mat by the
window.
is there anything the matter?"
asked Coran.
'.'lf we are to keep our business here
a secret you must not talk too loud
that is ALL
Il don't understand you"
"One Of your household was listen
ing at the window"
DO you mean to tell me that am
spied upon by my own people?" cried
Coran, angrily. What gave you such
an idea?"
The dog there"
Absurd"
Not at all, Mr.. Coran. From where
he lay he could look under the lower
edge of the blind, which was not
drawn completely down. He raised
his ears: some one approached: he
wagged his stall. It was friend with
whom he was we'll acquainted. II it
had been a stranger he would have
run barking to the window. 1t is sim.
pie enough, surely"
Did you see who 1t was?" asked our
host, with sudden change OF manner.
NO" said the little man. But
think this conversation unwise Shall
We join the ladies' In the drawing
room?"
Peace was in his most entertaining
mood that night. Poor Emily who
was sitting by the French windows.
staring sadly out into the gathering
shadows. was led to the piano, where
she recalled her forbidden lover in
sentimental ditties. He engaged Miss
Rebecca In an argument on the local
control OF licensed premises. which
gave that worthy old lady an oppor-
UNITY for genuine oratory. Even our
melancholy host was drawn out OF his
miseries by reference to the water
supply.
When ten o'clock came, and the
ladies' were led away under Miss Re.
becca's wing-they keep early hours
in Brendon--I shook the inspector by
the hand in sincere admiration. 1t
had been really smart performance.
and told him 30.
The little man did not respond. In
stead, he drew us together In a corner
and issued his orders with sharp pro-
cIsion.
"Mr. Coran, at fifteen minutes to
eleven you will leave the house by the
drawing room windows and place the
envelope you have prepared in the
locker of the summer house. When
you return do not fasten the catch, for
I may wish to enter during the night
Walk upstairs to your bed and get to
sleep II you can. Mr.. Phillips. you
will go to your room and stay there
The window overlooks the garden. Ii
.vu want to keep watch-for do not
suppose you can resist that temptation
SEQ that your head ia well out oi