Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-06-18

eeNE AA@A'A hk'OAi NV bAttAA HtAltt0 VI
the Thames, his arms bare, his hair
matted, his clothes mud-begrimed.
Twilight deepened the shadows cast
by the huddled buildings of London,
but his gaze did not swerve. His
daughter, a girl of twenty, rowing in
obedience TO his mods, regarded him
with a fascinated dread. Suddenly he
stiffened; the bird of prey had sighted
the quarry. A Few minutes later be
hind the boat a body bobbed and
lunged. Hexam had found another
corpse, the pockets OF another drowned
soul to rifle. 1t was this grisly liveli-
hood that was reflected in the fright
ened eyes of Lizzie Hexam.
The story of that find was to be
talked about in drawing rooms; in
/ dingy homes along the waterside and
/ in the comfortable bar of the Six Jolly
/ Fellowship-Porters in the musty shop
of Mr.. Venus where skeletons leaped
I out of corners as the fire frightened ::
( in Bofiin's Bower behind which rose
I the duSt-mounds that had created the
Harmon fortune. For the body was
identified as that of John Har-
( mon, returned to England to claim
q fortune of $500000 left him by an
/ eccentric father upon condition that
/ he wed a girl whom he had never
/ seen.
/ John Harmon was decreed dead and
the fortune came to NicodemuS Boffin.
/ He remained the same unaffected and
/ lOvable man he had been in the past
when he was foreman in charge of the
dust heaps. They were singularly
happy, were Mr.. and Mrs. Bohin Men
and women laughed at their oddities
but never with malice. Commonplace
as they were, there was a sterling
worth to them.
Eager to atone for his lack of school
ing. Mr. Botiin hired Silas Wegg,
wooden-legged vendor of sweets and
ballads, 10 read aloud Gibbons story
of Rome. His eyes popped with
establishment as Wegg plowed stolidly
ahead, making havoc of Roman names.
~ didn't think there was half so many
Scarers in print, Mr.. Bofin muttered
sagely.
He acquired, too, ward and a sec
rotary Bella Wilfer had been named
in the Harmon will as the sons future
bride. Her blighted hopes so troubled
Mr.. Botin that he Installed her in his
home treating her like a beloved
daughter And soon after John Har-
mon disappeared there came into Lon
don a mysterious John Rokesmith who
obtained the position Of secretary A
secretive man was John Rokesmith,
unwilling to speak of his past.
Rogue Riderhood. former partner
and now sworn enemy 10 Jesse Haxam.
set afoot suspicious that Hexam had
murdered John Harmon and the law
trailed the vulture of the Thames. 1t
found Jesse dangling behind his boat
as so many had dangled there before,
swept overheard and caught in his
rope. Eugene Wrayburn was one of
the trailers, and again he looked into
the clear eyes of Lizzie Hexam.
Lizzie found refuge with Fanny
Cleaver, better known as the Dolls
DreSSmaker fantastic little creature
with tongue as sharp as the needle
she so necessarily piled. Intruding
into Lizzies life came the love of
Bradley HeadstOne a morose man, and
IF Eugene Wrayburn. conscious that
She was too far below him for mar
riage. unwilling TO do her harm, and
yet unable to resist his longing to be
near her.
Rejected, Bradley Headstone vowed
vengeance upon the man whom he be-
iieyed responsible In the Boffin
home too, unhappineSs was brooding.
BELLA Wilfer, her head turned by
wealth, remembering poverty at home.
set her heart upon wedding Il rich
man and discouraged John Roke-
smith. The secretary had other trou-
hieS. He was trying to put together
the past He recalled a voyage, a
ship upon which he was known as
Iohn Harmon. He remembered COM
ing ashore ard going with mate To
The house of Rogue Rderhood. Some
where was room where he drank cof-
Zee. Then Stupefaction. with CLEANS
NJ memory concerasd with a fight
slide, cold water Swlrling about him.
rescue and decision 70 test Bella
by taking another name. After that
the discovery Of the mates body, mis-
taken for that of John Harmon.
Suddenly Mr. Bothn seemed to lose
his amiahility. He was gruf with his
secretary; he turned TO stories about
misers. The more | save, the more
you shall have" he said 70 Bella. but
abe did not like the cunning look in
his eyes. Nor was SHaS Wegc aloof
from the lust for money. He east Gov
'tous eyes upon the mounds that had
made Mr.. Rofln "the Golden Dust
man." He explored their lowlaads
and their SUBMITS, poking about for
treasure. PerhapS There might no an