, 1915-04-29

W tAh~f Sh'' w.
wv ter Blount, sat in the library
w Of the house of which he
was theoretically master and sought to
divert his tedlum by playing Garfield
solitaire. Nominally he was indeed
the head Of the house. which had been
taken in his name for the season, and
he vas about to entertain there his
putative parents. come on a visit from
their home in Laramie, Wyo. As a
matter of fact. however. Walter was "A
puppet in the hands OF the man who
was serving him as butler. That In
genious individual, by name Andrew
Allen, had decided that this particular
thief would fit admirably into his
schemes. The accomplishment of his
design was not difficult, since at just
this time Walter was closely pursued
by the Pinkertons for a recent offense
against the law. and the offer of an
asylum was welcome.
Andrew had maintained so much Sc
crecy as to the nature of his plans that
Walters curiosity was provoked, and
this soon drove him to dissatisfaction
with the situation, in which he quite
forgot his first relief over securing a
safe refuge from danger. Instead he
grew fretful over the dull routine of
days and nighB. He vas dishonest by
nature, a thief by choice. His slightly
prognathous jaw showed merely moral
degeneracy, o irmness of will. AT
twenty-five years of age he was a
thorough paced scoundrel, willing for
49, ,-I,,, k,@ -o,-.,eo-. fNr..Au
less as yet his evil nature was not
craven clearly in the lines of his face,
which a careless observer might have
deemed winpingly boyish. Now as he
sat erect In his dinner jacket by the
table on which the cards were display
ed he did Justice by his appearance to
the Judgment of Andrew in this selec.
ton as the pseudo young gentleman of
means come out Of the west for a trial
Of the metropolitan life. He scowIed
heavily, and his jaw shot out ~sullenly
as the trial of the cards proclaimed his
lucklessness-. He shot u baleful glance
toward the lrreproachable manservant,
who for some time had been standing
at a little distance in an attitude Of
patient Difference.
well. Parker" he snapped. what
the. devil are you standing around
waiting forT'
For you to finish the game sir"
And then what?"
TT take the cards away, sir"
The young man sneered.
"oh, that's it, is lit" he drawled
You're waiting to AXE the cards
away"
Yes. sir. Mr.. Andrews orders, sir
The words. de%corously spoken, were
the last straw to the burden on Wal
ter's patience. With an oath he seized
the pack and threw 1t violently to the
floor.
"well, take them away, Them he
snarled, with an evil grin. He sprang
to his feet Ind moved about the room
nervously for a minute.
"Say. your he cried. you know
who l am, don't your he demanded.
And now there came a subtle change
in the infections Of the menial's voice
though its respectful quality was still
in evidence. There was a vague sug'
gestion of satisfaction in his tones as
he answered:
Eyes, sir"
Walter muttered a curse.
Kept 1t 10 yourself mighty close
didn't your he affirmed rather thar
Intercepted. "Oh, l was on to you the
minute | saw you Walter spoke witt
some relaxation of his aggrieyed man
ner, for 1t was a relief to cast of dis
guise In the presence of this fellow
"But this MI. Andrew-tell me, Parker
who is he. anyhow? What's his little
game, chr
Ito be continued)