Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1916-05-29

and too much exertion. We shouldn't
have let you drive, Mr.. Powell; you are
not strong enough yet for these things"
/ Blair said nothing. He could have
almost pified Arthur that in SO short
q time "a had elapsed since his injuries
his character had been 50 weakened
from his hurts and the drugs admins
tered that A-fhnr could be convinced
that The evidence Or his Nj eyes was
but The phantom Of a disorIered iula--
inatI0n.
Neither the coaciInan nor the groom
had understood the significance OF his
masters collapse ut the sight OF two
gypsy musicians with piano. pony cart
and monkey By the roadside. The
c~oacEnlan and groom. like the other
servants III the Powell mansion. only
knew their master had never been men
tally the same since his injuries at the
mines and his first homecoming to his
new, grand mansion. a battered. shat
Tered. inseHsible form on L stretcher.
In a few moments the effect OF the
stimulating drug had claimed Arthur.
u he was sitting with closed eyes on
the second seat, with Blair and Vivian
and Durand. The conspirators decided
to return home.
A passing auto coming fl the same
direction slowed beside the coach. and
the occupants called 10 tile driver and
the tallyho party that there was a man
on behind.
HE looks like n tough customer. too
added the driver Of the car.
The groom on the rear seat looked
down and ordered the tough looking
customer TO get of The tough looking
customer was Luke Lowell. who had
come back To- Los Angeles ~suIienly de
termined TO make an asset OF his secret
and blackmail either Arthur Stanley
or Blair. preferably both.
Luke Lowell growled a curse back n
the groom and held on. The coachman
with practiced dexterity dashed the
whip back of the coach nj a signal
from the groom. The thong cut Luke
across the face twice before he could
shield himself. But again and again
the lash cut and stung him cruelty on
neck and shoulders. and despite his
hardihood and determination TO stand
the onslaught Luke was compelled 10.
let 20 and drop or. He lImpcd to.thc
sidewalk Of the quiet suburban resi-
dence street and sat m the shade of a
tree by the curb.
Near him 4 leaking fire hydrant trick
led. Luke mopped his brow and the
burning cuts across his face with the
cooling water. The pain slowly subsid
ed. and Luke looked about him.
There. far Off down the street. but
yet distinct 10 the keen eyes of the
gypsy. were two figures plodding by
IA pony piano cart. two figures he knew
rs well as he knew his own-Esther
and Quabba.
Old emotions, old f~ealtieS stirred III
Luke Lowell at the sight. Esther
daughter 81 iIaEar. the queen of the
gypsies; Esther. whom he had always
gazed upon with pride ana a dun long
ing she was not. for him. Luke knew
that But yet there stirred I'll him the
old sense 90 affection ANA mingled with
ii "A sense OF shame. Bad rs fhe brute
gypsy was there had always been some
thing fine ana tender IN his regard for
Esther. To iniurc her had been no
part ~ all his wild plans ~ make mer
chandisc y. what be- dimly surmiSel
WAS the stanley Secret-and ~lIagar's.
Luke's mental processes were slow
but ~ wIs quick q realize he had best
have time a. think OF how he should
meet with Esther again dill he wish
10 REGAIN her confidence. rs he now
desired I'D ~.
Luke Lowell rose from the curb even
while co@itaiinG upon these things and
concealed himself behind the trrc. Bu'
he could have stood plain upon The side
Walk FOR al he would have been seen
for Esther p Quahha. their head