Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-05

Venetia shut the door and they took
their seats about the room while
Jones. who had risen, reseated him
self.
Then. with the deep breath of a
man preparing for a dive. he began:
II have asked you all to come here
this morning. asked you to meet me
this morning because I just want to
into your family---"
the defunct. Arthur. What are You
saylng?"
to begin by explaining what l have
done for you all and then perhaps
you viii see that / am an honest man
even though / am in o false position.
one million and eight thousand
pounds, that is to say the coal mine
property and other money as well,
one million and eight thousand
pounds that would have been dead
loss only for me-"
you have acted like man." said
the Duke of Melford. go on-what
do you mean about intrusion?"
Let me tell the thing in my own
Lord Rochester got dreadfully involved
owing to his own stupidity with
woman-I call him the late Lord Roch-
ester because I have to announce now
the fact of his death"
Inc effect Oh tHiS statement WIS sur
prisng The four listeners sat like
frozen corpses for moment, then they
moved, casting terrified eyes at one an
ether. 1t was the Duke of Melford who
spoke.
alone" said he; ''yes, we know he is
dead--what more have you to say?''
II was not talking of my father" said
Jones. beginning to get begged and
slightly confused also angry, "he was
g,,I . N...t.,,
to me without interrupting l will make
things plain. / am talking of myself
or at least the man whom l am repre-
senting, the Earl of Rochester | say
nat | am not the Earl of Rochester, he
is dead He turned to Rochester's
wife. Il hate to have to tell you this
right out and in such manner. but 1t
has to be told. | am not your husband.
] ann an American, My name is Victor
Jones and ! come from Philadelphia"
The Dowager Countess of Rochester.
who had been leaning forward in her
chair, sank back, she had tainted.
While Venetia and the Duke of Mel
ford were bringing her TO- the wife of
Rochester, who had been staring at
Jones in terrified manner, ran from
the room. She ran like blind person
with hands outspread.
Jones stood while the unfortunate
lady was resuscitated. She returned to
consciousness sobbing and Tipping her
IldlihSr anu SIt NsiS leu lOiIl tIic ROOM
by Nenetia. Beyond the door Jones
heard her voice reused in Lamentations:
"My boy--my poor boy"
Nenetia had said nothing.
Jones had expected scene, outcries.
questions, but there was something in
all this that was quite beyond him.
They had asked no questions, seemed
to take the whole thing for granted,
Nenet1a especially.
The Duke of Melford shut the door.
Snf lNEf- u1t bfnt1
tor's heart is not strong" said he, going
to the bell and touching 1t. II must
send for the doctor to see her.
Jones, more than ever estonished by
the GOODNESS of the other, sat down
again.
Look here" said he, II can't make
YOU all out--you've called me no names
You haven't let me fully explain. the
old lady is the only one that seems TO
have taken the news in. Can't you un-
derstand what have told you?"
Perfectly" said the old gentleman.
land it's the most extraordinary thing
have ever heard-and the most inter
esting--l want to have long talk about
swered the bell. telephone for DR.,
Cavendish. Her ladyship has had an
other attack
Or Cavendish has just been tele-
phoned for. your grace, and 1or. Simms.'
THAT will do" said his grace
Yes. pom my soul, It's quite extra
ordinary" he took cigar case from
his pocket, proffered a cigar which
Jones took. and then lit one himself
Look here" said Jones suddenly
alarmed by new idea. you aren't
suying me, are you?--you haven't
taken it into your heads that I've
gone dotty-mad?"
Mad" cried the old gentleman with
a start. "Never--such an idea never
entered my mind, Why-why should
ito
only you take this thing so
quietly"
"Quietly--well. what would you
have? My dear fellow, what is the
good of shouting--ever? Not bit.
It's bad form. | take everything as it
comes"
We'll, then, listen while tell you
how all this happened. ] came over
here some time ago to rope in con-
tract with the British government
over some steel fixtures. was
partner with a man named Aaron
Strlnger. Well, ] failed on the con-
tract and found myself broke with
less than ten pounds in my pocket /
was sitting in the Savoy lounge when
in came a man whom ! knew at once
by sight but | couldn't place his
name on him We had drinks togcth-
or in the American bar, then we went
upstairs to the lounge. He would not
tell me who he was. Look in the
looking glass behind you,' said he,
60 nd Win l,, 7