Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-10-30
The
Substitute
Millionaire
By
HUBERT FooTNER

Dy an amlable lunatic. | used the
money to pay some of my most
pressing obligations. l discharged
the insolent servants. and got others.
didn't epect to hear from him
again.
But one week from that day a
messenger boy brought me a packet
containing similar sum. and 1t has
been coming ever since with absolute
regularity
7 can see that you are incredulous
about there having been no condi-
lions attached to the gift, but Il have
stated just what happened I can
see how now that was fool, but
then it was easy for me to believe
that had been relieved out of pure
philanthropy. AS If there was any
such thing!
TAT first the money came unac-
cpnpanied by any communication,
but later. when he knew, / suppose,
that Il had become absolutely de-.
pendent on it. began to receive
instructions. In the beginning he still
B used the language of philanthropy
he wanted to help this young man or
that young woman to gain a footing
In good society-but latterly, feeling
sure of me- suppose, he has
Reeomes frankly peremptory. Oh! IL
had only sent the money back in
he first place!''
What sort OF instructions 2" asked
sEs Jack.
sM principally for me to receive cer-s
10 tain young people that he would
tend me- and introduce them to, So
n lciety:: sometimes to introduce them
ITO particular persons. This seemed
harmless enough. People will do any
&athing TO get into society, you know"
J But when you saw these young
cople didn't you begin to be SUI
II eoicious ~
y '.O1l, / didn't want to be supicious!
heir manners were good enough.
q They didn't shame me, And nowa-
days society is such go-as-you-
please affair, nobody held me re-
sponsible. 4.
what other kind of instructions
d did you get"
ITO ask certain people, generally
v some well known rich man, to my
house The hardest thing I ever had
II 10 do was to go to the Madagascar
j md scrape acquaintance with Bobo
in the corridor. nearly died at that,
J but 1T was too late to turn back. I
was terrified by the way the man
always knew instantly when I had
not obeyed him.
THE spies he had in your house
would keep him informed" said Jack
Flow did you know that day which
Of the two OF us was Bobo?" Is AZ
~ .ffe had described him to me-"
docs Mr.. b. still come here?a
mo, I have never seen him but the
4 once. He writes to me, and very
IS often he calls me up to learn If 7
have anything to report. have no
way Of communicating with him un-
less he calls up"
"Now about Miriam 2" said Jack.
Mrs. Cleaver sat UP, and her tired
! eyes sparkled with hatred. "That
- woman!" she cried. IF you knew
what have had to put UP with from
her! / eloathe hers Oh, would like
to see her brought low. What have
you got against her? Tell mel"
Jack shook his head, smiling grim
( ". All in good tine,' he said.
You're telling me your story now"
"Oh, Miriam's just another of
= them. She came the day before I
received my instructions to get hold
Of Bobo. / was ordered to take her
into my house, and give it out that
sdatshe was cousin. That was the final
s humiliation!
Us that all you can tell me about
a Mriam?''
She nodded. 1--WE don't confide in
each other" she said with tight lips.
SO There. was a considerable silence
between the two before the fire. !.
III "What are you thinking about?"
asked Mrs. Cleaver nervously at last
Just trying to dope out plan to
get hinl--with your help"
"Oh, I'm afraid" she walled.
when my income Is cut off what
shall I do?"
81 promised youth Bobo's name
Ito take care Of that"
"To the same amount?' she asked
sharply.
Jack smiled dryly. I'm afraid I'd
hardly feel justified In recommend
ing that Bobo keep UP all this-but,
say, ten thousand year"
Ten thousand" she cried, aghast.
That's nothing!"
A grimmer tone crept into Jacks
voice. Sorry, but we don't owe you
anything, YOU know. If you refuse
to help me, should have to have
you arrested"
If she had defied him Jacks po-
sition would have been little awk-
ward, for he was not prepared to
nc fa, ho ha ,1f MYs
Cleaver's spirit was broken now. She
only shuddered and wept the louder.
'"ren thousand" she walled. It'll
have to give up everything that
makes life worth living!"
!. 'You told me you were sick OF all
this
.'I'lI have to move into a miserable
apartment"
y "Come now, plenty of people have
whale of time on ten thousand
--or even the half of that"
'Suburbanites!" she said with the
utmost scorn.
HAS Mr.. b. any regular time for
/, calling up?" asked Jack
7 mo. Every few days. I haven't
heard in nearly q week. l shall
probably hear tomorrow"
very good. Now listen, When he
calls up, make out you're in great
anxiety. But don't give him too
I many details over the phone. Sug-
\ gcst that it's not safe to do So You.
can let him understand tho that it
has something to do with Bobo or
l me. Tell him that you think I am
N having you watched. Tell him that
II you must see him in order to find