Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-02-10

while you are about it. or blue light,
nnd masks. Of course-and a pass
word. I'll say Walter and you an
,wer Jones' or perhaps single mys-
terious word. like 'gurgle.' Gurgle's
rather good. How do you like gurgle?"
The others face darkened at this
aerision. When he spoke it was with
perceptible humiliation and embarrass-
ment. "I'm only an agent" he muir
INJURED. "Such theatres are none OF
my making. though in this affair they
seem unavoidable. Laugh all you like.
Mr.. Rroughton. A man who has
thrown away fortune for whim is
entitled to. though some day when
You're older and learn how hard q
world this Is it may seem considerably
less humorous. Good night" he con-
tinued. holding out his hand. Permit
me to apologize for my persistence.
and to thank you for your good nature
under the infliction. You will let me
hear from you. will you not? And re-
member that the amount might be ma
terially increased. Good night, good
niehtr
Matt accompanied him down the
stairs and to the front door, where,
with renewed grasp Of the hand and
another cordial farewell. the stranger
walked briskly away. 1t almost look
ed as though an automobile had been
awaiting him. for second later there
was a clash Of gears. a food OF blind
ing light and magnificent Limousine
swept headlong into the night.
Matt turned indoors again. eager for
his delayed supper and In a state OF
extreme perplexity and exhilaration.
It was not everybody who would have
refused $4,000. The fact that he had
done so put him in glow Of self es'
TEEN. Though why had 1t been offer
ed-good God. why? And who was
John Mort. and what could they posi-
bly, want of him? How strange It all
was, how insoluble! And. strangest OF
all, that he. Matt, the obscurest OF
mortals, should be caught up In any
thing that could conceivably "shake
the world" That was what Mort had
said-"it would shake the world
Well, 1t shouldn't shake II he could
help 1t. He was loyal through and
through. The wolves" were chasing
the wrong sleigh II they thought they
could get bite out Of him.
The next morning turned out verita
BILE black Monday. Not only was It rain
ing a sleety, dismal rain-Matt could
have endured that-but he was assailed
besides, by n succession Of disasters
First Of all. there was no letter from
Snood & Hargreaves. Somehow he
had fully counted on getting 1t, and
the firms delay In writing begar
to take on an ominous aspect With
scarcely $50 in his pocket and part
of that owing here and there. he fell
uncomfortably pressed for money
Then there was Daggancourt. whom
he had completely forgotten in thu
flow of larger events-Daggancourt
effusively e1pectant Of that immediate
departure for Kentucky. To make 9
man weep Is painful experience
and It was In this manner Daggan
court received the news Of q SECOND
postponement.
"rd set my foolish old heart on 1t,
he sobbed. II believed you were II
earnest. It's-it's a terrible blow
"But it's only put Of little while,
said Matt. "For heavens sake, dom
think I've given 1t up. Victor. II
fact. It's more Of life and dealt
thing to me now than ever before"
Daggancourt shook his head.
II was willing to 90 my last dollar.
he said. II could have worked TO
You with both hands and starved ant
stinted-not for the money In 1t, Marse
Broughton-but because you are you
because 1t Is the colored mans In
stinct-his curse-to love and serve