Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-08-06
A SILENT
PROPAGANDA
/. BY OTILLlA r. PFEIFFER

Mrs. Jason Brown lived in the sho'
mansion of the town in Alton Tel
race. Her sister, Mrs. Ernest Park
more humbly resided in modest Iii
tie cottage in Arbor Place. The fol-
mer conceived herself to be the socla
queen of Brampton. The latter wa
content to be able to clothe hersel
and her family respectfully and pa.
the household bills when due.
The Browns lived high through tn,
sufferance of Miss Althea Driscoll
their niece, and floated along on cred
1t. All Brampton knew the circum
stances Of their rise In the world so
cially. A brother of Mrs. Brown and
Mrs. Parks had died leaving q fine
home and quite a fortune to an or
phan daughter. lie had appointed Mr..
Brown executor Of the estate and, on
account OF his sister, very liberal
compensation for his services as
guardian Of Althea. The sequence
was that the Browns moved from
modest quarters into the DriscOll man.
sion rent free, and were lavish In
expenditures, as they all came out of
the estate.
At once Mrs. Brown began to bloom
forth as devOtee Of fashion and so
elety. She grouped about her spe-
tlal clique, feted and Toasted them and
the humble Parks family, not being
considered eligible for admission TO
the charmed circle, were practically
Ignored.
Not that they minded II much, for
they were not of the kind that faunt.
ed In false cOlors. Then, besides, they
had the love and confidence Of Althea.
She was a bright, heartsome girl, and
very soon saw through the thin veneer
Of her guardians. They had tried In
vain to induce her to treat the Parks
people as interiors, but nothing could
spoil her. There was scarcely day
that she did not pass Il part of It In
the company of her fayorite aunt and
her little ones.
For two years Althea had been
away Mt select seminary, and this
gave the Browns an opportunity to
spread out more than ever. Their
guardianship was nearly at an end,
according to the terms Of the will, and
those who professed to know limited
that Jason Brown was growing quite
reckless In his use of the Drlscoll re-
sources. One day fine looking, gen.
appearing young man came
o BramptOn whose evident good
'reeding and courteous'ways commend
ID him on sight as an eligible" by the
Brown set. 1t was reported that he
vas sent on the mission of looking up
ONE law matters. lived at the
est hotel and had an automobile, but
made the mistake of his life, ms Mrs.
Brown gave it out, lg taking up with
he Parks people. Once he was seen
aking the tired-out Mrs. Parks and
he children out for a regular airing,
@ fell many degrees in the favor Of
be social queen of Brampton.
"A very presentable young man." OBJ
erved that critical lady to her close
'iends," and understand he comes
'om creditable family; but we must
raw the line strictly"
"WlIy, what do you meanT was in
lired.
HE seems to favor the Parks con.
ngent. OF course. they are my rela-
YES, but they do not belong in our
ass. Mr. Throop seems to enjoy
cir company and that Of their kind,
Id ! have cancelled an invitation to
IN to my next reception, not caring
taketany risks"
"0h, idear,t no! Selectness in every
Ing, dear Mrs. Brown" was sub
tied, and Ito others, when inquiries
re made lconcerning the newcomer,
g. Browni simply looked mysterious
d shrugged her shoulders. This was
3 cue to Cher servile followers, and
lney Tfiroop was ignored purely
-oughta systematic propaganda of
ence.
I think it;your duty, Jason, to probe
q resent the mysterious operations
this young man" lobseryed Mrs.
own to her husband. "What busi-
IS he has looking into sour affairsf"
I'll give him a piece Of my mind"
s the rejoinder, and the next day
ney Throop, doing some writing at
desk in his fattorney's Office, was
lfronted BY Jason Brown with the
rds:
I've come to find out why you are
king inquiriesabout my private az
s."
'hroop arose and kclosed the Office
r. ITO save you trouble, II you
It know" he answered III have been
ng in behalf Of youra niece, who
authorized me TO gdther up IN
nation looking Observation-Disclosures
powers as administrator II