Evening star., 1923-07-07
THE EVIL SHEPHERD
By E. Phillips Oppenheim.
Copyright by Brow. b
Sir Timothy demanded.
(oopyrisht. 1893. BY Little, Brvwn d oo,)

The carter was beery-faced, un-
tidy-looking brute. but powerfully
Timothy, straight as dart. without
overcoat or any covering to his thin
evening clothes, looked like a strip
ling in front of him.
I'm whippin' 'er. If yer want to
was the carter's reply. i've
and mind yer own business"
This is my business" Sir Timothy
declared. laying his hand upon the
neck of the horse. II am an official
Of the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals. You are laying
yourself open to a fine for your
treatment Of this poor brute"
I'll lay myself open for a fine for
the treatment of something else, II
you don't quid old of my 'oss." the
back into the wagon and coming a
step nearer. Dyer ear? don't
want any swells fnterferin' with my
business. You 'op 1t. Is that strife
enough? 'Op 1t. quick"
have abated. There was even the
beginning Of smile upon his lips.
All the time his hand caressed the
neck of the horse. Francis noticed
with amazement that the poor brute
be making some faint effort at re-
MY good man." Sir Timothy said,
you seem to be one of those brutal
persons unfit to be trusted with an
animal. However,
The carter had heard quite enough
Sir Timothy's tone seemed to mad
den him. He clenched his fist and
rushed in.
You take that for interferin'. you
big toff!" he shouted.
The result Of the mans effort at
pugilism was almost ridiculous. His
arms appeared to go round like
windmills beating the air. 1t really
seemed as though he had rushed
Enuckles' nU ese which RI had @ Suddenly 'tHS Shot
out like the piston of an engine. The
carter lay on his back for a mo-
ment. Then he staggered viciously
to his feet.
Don't" Sir Timothy begged; as he
want to hurt you. have been anna
teur champion Of two countries Not
quite fair, is it?"
"Wot dyer want to come inter
ferin' with a chaps business for?"
With a L f1lthy handkerehief. but Keep
ing at a respectful distance.
1T happens to be my business
also" Sir Timothy replied. "to inter-
ed. Now ] don't want to be unrea-
sonable. That animal has done all
the work 1t ought to do in this
world. How much is she worth to
you?"
Through the mans beer-clogged
find it's way. He looked at the Rolls
Royce. with the two motionless serv-
ants on the box. at Francis standing
by. at Sir Timothy, even to his thick
understanding the very prototype Of
a 'toff.''
THAT 'oss." he said. "aint what
she was. it's true, but there's a lot
of work in 'er yet She may not
be much to look at, but she's worth
forty quid to me-ay, and one to
Sir Timothy counted out some
notes from the pocketbook which he
had produced and handed them to the
man.
Here are $50" he said. THE mare
is mine. Johnson"
The second man sprang from his
seat and came round.
"Unharness that mare" his mas
ter ordered; help the man push his
trolley back out of the way. then
Curzon street See that she is well
bedded down and has a good feed
of corn. Tomorrow / shall send her
down to the country, but I will come
and have a look at her first"
The man an his his hat and and
carter. who had been busy counting
the notes, thrust them into his
pocket with grin.
Good luck to yer, .guvnor!"' he
shouted out. in valedictory fashion.
"'Ope I meets yer again when I've
an old crock or the CO."
Sir Timothy turned his head.
IF ever 7 happen to meet you, my
good man." he threatened. using
your whip upon a poor beast who's
won't get up in two minutes, or
last few yards, Mr.. Ledsam."
The latter acquiesced at once and
in a moment or two they were un-
derneath the portico Of the opera
was a little distrait. His companion
glanced at him curiously.
You are puzzled, Mr.. Ledsam?" he
remarked.
Very" was the prompt response.
Sir Timothy smiled.
You are one Of these primitive
Anglo-Saxons." he said. who can see
the simple things with big eyes. but
who are terribly worried at an un-
familiar constituent. You have sum-
med me up in your mind as a hard
ened brute, a criminal by predilec-
tion, a patron of murderers. Ergo,
you ask yourself why should I trou-
from being chastised and go out Of
my way to provide her with a safe
asylum for the rest of her life?
Shall help you, Mr.. Ledsam?"
II wish you would" Francis con-
fessed.
They had passed now through the
entrance to the opera house and
were in the corridor leading to the
grand tier boxes. On every side Sir
Timothy had been received with
attendants were preceding them. Sir
Timothy leaned toward his COM
panion.
Because" he whispered. "I like
animals better than human beings"
Margaret Hilditch. her chair pushed
scarcely turned her head at her
fathers entrance.
II have brought an acquaintance of
yours, Margaret" the latter an
nounced, as he hung up his hat. "You
remember Mr.. Ledsam?"
Francis drew a little breath Of re-
lief s he bowed over her hand For
the second time her inordinate COM
posure had been assailed. She was
her usual calm and indifferent self
almost Immediately. but the CLEAN Of
surprise, and he fancied not unpleas-
ant surprise. had been unmistakable.
Are you devotee, Mr.. Ledsam ~
she asked.
Il am fond of music" Francis an
swered, especially this opera"
She motioned to the chair in the
front of the box, facing the stage.
You must sit there" she insisted.
Il prefer always to remain here. and
my father always likes to face the
audience. I really believe" she went
on. that he likes to catch the eve Of
the journ alist who writes little eos-
sipy items, and to see his name in
print"
(To be continued tomorrow
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