Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-04-23
BROUGHT
TO BOOK
By ALDEN CHAPMAN

NSopSrent' ASEV' western newspaper OnionJ
Sidney Blair had entered the
gloomy, old-fashioned city mansion
bearing the name on its door plate
"Alton Morse" with an ardent heart
and high hopes. He sat now In its
library confronted by its owner, whose
grim, forbidding face chilled him,
whose disclosures were dlsconcertlng
Two months previous while visiting
his sister at seminary, he had met
Lucia Sterling The acquaintanceship
had blossomed into mutual friendly in
terest and, on his part at least, into
genuine love. She had told him that
she lived with Mr.. Morse, that her
parents were both dead and that the
attorney because her father had been
a former client, had practically adopt
ed her. Lucia had consented to his
calling on her when she left school
and she had told Mr.. Morse of the ex-
pected visitor.
Blair had been ushered into the IL
brary Of the house when he sent in
his card, and sinister faced, its occu-
pant had received him coldly.
II know who you are, and of your
family" said Mr.. Morse. ~ also fancy
know the object Of your call. 1t is
Miss Sterling"
YES" replied Blair. 81 hope she is
WELL"
"She is far from that" replied the
lawyer gravely. do not be alarmed,
sir, 1t is mental, rather than physical
ailment. Miss Sterling has received
some disclosures relative to her past,
or rather that of her parents, that
have been considerable of q shock.
She knows of your intention to call
and has authorized me to see you In
her stead"
II do not understand" began Blair
In a perplexed way.
Il can say only that, considering
your high social standing and illus
trious family name, 1t is better that
your acquaintance with Miss Sterling
should terminate utterly"
"You lnslnuate some mystery which,
no matter what 1t may involve, could
not In any way affect the regard I
feel for Miss Sterling" spoke Blair
stanchly. "Mr. Morse, 1 must insist
on having a decision from her lips
alone"
Alton Morse arose with a peculiar
expression on his face. II will convey
your message to my ward" he said
icily, "or rather my dead friends
daughter" and left the room. He re-
turned shortly bearing folded scrap
of paper
Miss Sterling declines to see you"
he reported This is her only and
final word, and Blair bowed his head
In despair as he read: "Mr. Morse
must speak for me. thank you for
all your courtesy and regard, but we
must never meet again."
Without another word Blair left the
house. Dusk had come down, but as
he slowly passed the garden space he
glanced back. One upper window at
the side Of the house showed q light.
Blair proceeded on his way but so
mystifed by the strange incident
that after he had turned the next cor
ner he reversed and confronted the
stranger.
He was a man over fifty, bearded
and brOnzed, and wore a great blazing
diamond In his tie and another Of un-
usual size on one finger. Two men
crossed the street, evidently attracted
by these signs Of opulence. When
within twenty feet of the corner they
suddenly sprung upon him.
Blair hastened to the rescue. He
drove one Of the men PROSTATE with
n vigorous blow The other had pIs-
tol aimed at the stranger. Blair
struck up his hand, but himself felt
a singing contact In one arm. As
the men dispersed the victim seized
Blair by the hand with the words:
"You have saved my life, young
man. Why what is this blood You
are wOundedp
"Only slight scratch" declared
Blair negligently, but the other hailed
cab, solicltously attended his res
cuer, and, arriving at his hotel at once
sent for surgeon.
The latter dressed a slight flesh
wound, and the stranger secured a
room for Blair connecting with his
own. When Blair awoke in the morn
ing he noticed his host with startled
eyes gazing at some articles he had
placed on stand.
What Is ELSEWHERE did you get
itf he inquired, holding up a photo
graph Of Lucia Sterling.
A strange emotion was manifest In
the mans face as Blalr's story came
out. His face hardened as he mutter-
ed the name Of Alton Morse. "Come
with me-" he spoke, "if you feel able.
There is something you have an In
terest In"
An hour later they faced Alton
Morse, pale, cringing, in terror With
in the hour Blair knew that the stran-
ger Of the garden was Robert Sterling,
the father Of Lucia.
1t seemed that three years before
he had sent from Australia q fortune
for his orphan daughter, which Morse
had appropriated. He did this when
he was supposed to be dying Morse
held back the fortune and prevented
Lucia from encouraging Blair by max
Ing her believe that she was the daugh-
ter of q convicted assassin.
Alton Morse was forced to make res
tltutlon. 1t was double blessing that
Robert Sterling bestowed upon the ac-
cepted lover Of Lucia, for he owed to
him his life as well as the happiness
of hIa daughter