Evening star., 1919-04-27


thorough sportsman that he was,
recognized this red-head as
brother.
"Mr. Grogan?"
Eyes"
BE seated" Mr. Bell was mid
dle-aged man. You had an uncle in
st. Louis?''
"Ye-h; Michael Regan."
The lawyer nodded. 'Your mothers
name?"
Amelia. Michael was her brother"
"Have you absolute legal proof that
you are Amelia Regan's SOM"
"Sure!" William produced the mar
riage certificate, pleased that Burns
had suggested bringing it.
Mr.. Bell adjusted his glasses. This
is Amelia Regan's certificate of mar
riage. but that doesn't prove you're
her son, Mr.. Grogan."
Turn It over,r advised William,
wetting his lips and stretching his
neck out Of his collar, which had
grown suddenly tight.
"Ah"
On the reverse side Of the cert
was the date Of williams arrival into
this mortal coil. briefly witnessed by
tho doctor, the parish priest, the
father, and two neighbors.
That's legal enough for anybody.
We knew all about you, Mr.. Grogan.
but the legal end of 1t had to be
satisfied. You're the man we're
after"
Say, what am up ,against?" asked
William, huskily.
npC1a ind a ,oMn%h unnn u
left his lumber business to his
partner, all his ready cash he willed
to you Internationally. Through us
he kept track Of you. your work and
habits. I am, therefore, empowered
to turn over to you the sum of
twenty eight thousand seven hundred
and ffty-six dollars and thirty one cents.
And have the certified check in my
safe at this very moment" Mr.. Bell
heamed upon his client. awaiting the
outburst of JOY.
But no outburst came. Williams
mouth opened and his derby hat slip
ped from his hands and wabbled about
on the floor at his feet.
The dinosaurs has been dead for
some time; but If one had poked its
head through the window at that mo-
ment and hammered at William, he
wouldn't have been surprised; ne
would have accepted its advent as a
part of the nightmare.
.. Chapter II.
All the years of unremitting toll
came back to him in panoramic frag-
ments. He had always managed to
clothe and feed himself, with a little
left over for amusements. At half
past six in the morning, summer and
winter and spring. he was UP and Off
for the days work with that cheer
full and optimistic spirit which has
been at once millstones and eagles
wings to the Irish) A for
tune! Was he really awake? Wait
= moment. He stared at the slate
colored doves that were sailing over
and about the church spires near by.
at the broad silver highway by which
the great ships went down to the sea-
at the blue mists OF morning still
hanging against the Jersey heights.
Up from the street. deep down below,
came the dun thunder OF the ele-
waited. There was not the least doubt
or 1t; he was wide awake; he could
see and he could hear. Twenty eight
thousand seven hundred and fifty six
dollars and thirty-one cents!
Say. would you just as soon says
that-all over again--slow?" he asked
In voice which he knew was his.
because he could feel 1t coming out Of
his throat; beyond that it was wholly
unrecognizable
Mr. Bell laughed happily as he
reached for williams hat and placed
t'upon the daxed young mans knees.
He was thoroughly enjoying this
scene; he wasn't bad ma n at heart:
he was only Q lawyer. When he put
the magical clip Of paper into Will
liam's trembling hand his JOY was
complete. He had ina ina lon; he
knew what was going on in Williams
head.
Don't pinch me, ] might wake up.
And thirty one cents!'
What are you going to do with it?"
asked Mr. Bell, curiously.
william suddenly recalled Mr.
Burns warning relative to lawyers.
We'll, don't know" he said. doubt
fully. II suppose I'm liable to raise
nell with this thirty-one cents. The
Great Whita