Missouri Valley times., 1920-03-11
BROUGHT
TO BOOK
By ALDEN CHAPMAN
copyrisht. 1879. west.rn N.wspaper unionl

80
whose disclosures were disconcerting.
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
. 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 H.
brary Of the house when he sent in
his card, and sinister faced its occu-
pant had received him coldly.
Il know who you are, and of your
family" said Mr.. Morse. 81 also fancy
I know the object Of your call. 1t is
Miss Sterling"
"Yes," replied Blair. 81 hope she is
we'll"
"She is far from that" replied the
lawyer gravely. do not be alarmed,
sir, it 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 shock.
She knows of your intention to call
and has authorized me to see you in
her stead"
Il do not understand" began Blair
In perplexed way.
II 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 insinuate some mystery which,
no matter what it may involve could
not in any way affect the regard I
feel for Miss Sterling" spoke Blair
stanchly. "Nlr. Morse, l must insist
on having decision from her lips
Alone"
Alton Morse arose with peculiar
expression on his face. "I will convey
your message to my ward" he said
icily, cor 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 "NIr. Morse
must speak for me. l 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 IL light.
Blair proceeded on his way, but 50
mystified by the strange incident
that after he had turned the next cor
ner he reversed and confronted the
stranger.
He was man over fifty, bearded
and bronzed, and wore great blazing
diamond In his tie and another of lln-
usual size OH 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 fastened to the rescue. He
drove one Of the men PROSTATE with
vigorous blow. The other had a pis-
tol aimed at the stranger. Blair
struck up his hand, but himself felt
stinging 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 wounded!"
"Only slight scratch" declared
Blair negigently, but the other hailed
cab. solicitously attended his res
cuer, and, arriving at his hotel at once
sent for u surgeon.
The latter dressed 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 a stand.
"What is this-where did you get
it?" he inquired, holding up photo
graph of Lucia Sterling.
strange emotion was manifest in
the mans face as Blair'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 fortune
for his orphan. daughter, which Morse
had appropriated. He did this wher
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 a convicted assassin.
Alton Morse was forced to make res
titution. 1t was a double blessing thai
Robert Sterling bestowed upon the ac
cepted lover of Lucia. for lie owed tt
him his life as well as the happines.
Of his daughter.