The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-02-13

knows what tney are UP 10.
/ suppose not said Mr. Salteena
in an Interested tone.
One can not gamble on any
thing really said Procurio return
ing TO the hot water pipes though
of course | know lot more than
most peaple about the inmates
here. -
What are the habits of the
Earl of Clincham said Mr. Sal
teena.
Procurio gave a smile many and
vari,:a he replied | cant say much
in my position but one lives and
learns. He heaved sigh and
shrugged his shoulders.
Well good day said Mr. Salteena
feeling better fol. the chat.
Procurio nodded in silence as
Mr. Salteena trotted off down the
passage. At last he came to a
door labeled Clincham Earl Of in
big letters. With beating heart
Mr. Salteena pulled the bell and
the door swung open of its own
accord. AT the same moment a
cherry voice rang out from the
distance. Come in please l am in
the study first door on left.
With q nervous bound Mr. Sal
teena obeyed these directions and
found himself in small but hand
some compartment done in dark
green lether with crests on the
chairs. Over the mantelpiece was
hung the painting Of lady in a
low neck looking quite the thing.
By the desk was seated tall man
of 35 with very nice eyes Of
twinkly nature and curly hair he
wore a quite plain suit of palest
grey but well made and on the
table reposed grey top hat which
had evidently been on his head re-
Gently. He had a rose in his but
ton hole also signet ring.
Hullo said this pleasant fellow
as Mr. Salteena was spell bound on
the mat.
Hullo your Lord Ship responded
our hero bowling low and drop
ping his top hat do address, the
Earl of Clincham.
You do said the Earl with
homely smile and who do l address,
eh.
Our hero bowed again Alfred
Salteena he said in deep tones.
Oh l see said the kindly earl
we'll come in my man and tell me
who you are.
Mr.. Salteena seated himself
gingerly on the edge of a crested
chair.
To tell you the truth my Lord
/ am not anyone of import and /
am not gentleman as they say
he ended getting very red and hot.
Have some whiskey said lord
Clincham and he poured the liquid
into a glass at his elbow. Mr.. Sal
teena Tapped it up thankfully.
Well my man said the good ma
tured earl what l say is what
dose it matter we cant all be of
the Blood royal can we.
No said Mr. Salteena but | sup
pose you are.
Lord Clincham waved a care
less hand. A small portion flows
in my viens he said but it dose
not worry me at all and after all
he added piously at the Day of
Judgement what will be the odds.
Mr. Salteena heaved a sigh. l
was thinking of this world he
said.
Oh / see said the Earl but my
own idear is that these things are
as piffle before the wind.
Not being an earl | can't say an
swered our hero but may beg
you to read this letter my Lord.
He produced Bernards note from
his coat tails. The Earl of Cline
ham took it in his long fingers.
This is what he he read.
MY DEAR CLINCHAM
The bearer of this letter is an
old friend of mine not quite the
right side of the blanket as they
say in fact he is the son of first
rate butcher but his mother was
a decent family called Hyssopps
Of the Glen so you see he is not 80
bad and is desireus of being the
correct article. Could you rub him
up bit in Socierty ways. | don't
know much details about him but
no doubt he will supply all you
need. l am keeping we'll and hope
you are. / must run up to the
Compartments one day and look
you up.
Yours as ever your faithful
friend BERNARD CLARK.
The Earl gave slight cough
and gazed at Mr. Saltecna
thourghtfully.
Have you much money he asked
and are you prepared to spend a
good deal.
Oh yes quite gasped Mr. Salteena
l have plenty in tho bank and G1O
in ready gold in my purse.
You see these compartments are
the haunts Of the Aristockracy
said the carl and they are kept
going by peaple who have got
something funny in their family
and who want TO be less mere If
ycr ron comprehend.
Indeed / can said Mr. Salteena.
Personally | am a bit parshial