Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-23

not know what solicitors were, and
thought the man meant to sell him
| something. This minor difficulty soon
vanished when the stranger began
parentage. Burton answered as best
he could. and gave such references as
lay within his power to those yet lIv-
Ing who might be connected with his
youth.
His mother had died soon after he
was born, and his father had been
killed by all accident within few
hours of Mrs Burton's death. John
had been told that they had como
from England only few months
earlier and that his father was man
OF distinguished appearance and re-
| fined speech.
THAT is all know about him." he
up by the scruff of the neck. Here !
am. just as you see me. What do you
want with me. anyhow"
The stranger did not answer for a
few minutes. He took some docu-
ments from a bag and consulted them,
comparing certain statements therein
with the notes he had made Of Johns
dim but fairly accurate recollection.
At last he lifted his eyes and said.
Gravely:
You must prepare yourself for a
shock. Mr.. Burton. but I hope 1t will
be n pleasurablo one. You arc now
the tenth marquis of Castleton. heir
TO an invested fortune Of $4,000 900. an
estate worth 100000 n year"
What on earth arc you talking
about, anyhow" Gaspcd John
II am telling you the literal truth"
said the other. solemnly. About thir
~ years aCo-to be exact, In 1856. the
ninth marquis Of CaStleton. your un-
Gle quarreled with his brother. your
ID ;,,I,n a
lis lordship had married hou5cmaid
whom he was in honor bound to we'd
The marquis had never married hav-
in; lost the woman he loved OH tho
eve of their wedding day, and Lord
Richard was always looked upon as
his heir. When. however, your father
contracted an alliance which the mar
quis deemed deroEatory, he was cast
forth from the family. and tho elder
brother Immediately proposed to and
was accepted by titled lady OF his
acquaintance. She bore him two sons.
thus. to all appearance. offectually
shutting your father out from tho sue
ccssion. Two months ago providence
dccrecd that the marquis and his boys
should he passengers on liner which
was torpcdoed in tho Mediterranean.
hey were lost. There can be no
doubt of II. because their bodies have
hecn recovered and Identified. You
come OF good stock. my lord! Your
uncle and cousins died like English
gentlemen. My firm. who are the legal
agents for the estate, possessed some
vaCnc information as to your .athcrs
Whereabouts when he came 20 this
coun.ry. That is why I am here I
assure you am not romancinc. You
A." undoubtedly the tenth marquis Of
Castlcton!"
1t is said that all the scenes Of a
crowded life pass through man q
mind when he is in imminent danger
Of death by drowning Some such
experience befcll John Burton now
He reviewed tho years of his youth
his Introduction to the factory, tho
gradual requirement OF manual skill
and the knowledge Of metals. his rise
to position OF influence among his
mates. his friendship with poor. taw-
dry Flora. the dawn OF real love for
that self-dcludcd phiianthropist and
social worker. Mary Temple. and tho
complete collapse OF his brief day
dream. Now tho somewhat sordid
record was succeeded by the fairy taia
just related. AN unbelievable romance
indeed. yet one which appeared to
have the sanction OF law and society!
Then John began to laugh sardonic-
ally. He was on the verge OF hysteria
More than once he seemed TO fnuttcr
Il strange question:
is humanity In the grip OF evil?"
The stranger did not pretend TO un-
dcrStand. SO. being a discreet little
man he kept silenc1 and quietly took
his leave.
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