The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-12-28
CHAPTER XIII

! @VfACt En- NItt
Remarkable as the apparition of Mr..
Bennett appeared to his daughter, the
explanation of his presence at that mo-
ment in the Office of Marlowe, Thorpe,
Prescott. Winslow and Appleby was
simple. He had woken early that
morning, and, glancing at his watch
on the dressing table, he had suddenly
become aware Of something bright and
yellow beside it, and had paused, trans
fixed, like Robinson Crusoe staring at
| the footprint in the sand. If he had
not been in England, he would have
said it was patch of sunshine. Hardly
daring to hope, he pulled up the
shades and looked out on the garden.
1t was superb morning. 1t was as
If some giant had uncorked great
bottle full of the distilled scent Of
grass, trees, flowers and hay. MFR.
Bennett shifted luxurlantly. Gone was
the gloom Of the past ten days. swept
away in great exhilaration.
Breakfast had deepened his content.
Henry Mortimer, softened by the same
balmy influence had been perfectly
charming All their little differences
had melted away in the genial warmth.
And then suddenly Mr.. Bennett re-
membered that he had sent Billie up
to London TO enlist the aid Of the Law
against his old friend. and remorse
gripped him. Half an hour later he
was in the train, ON his way to Lon
don to intercept her and cancel her
mission. He had arrived breathless
at Sir Mallaby's Office, and the first
thing he had seen was his daughter in
the arms Of young man who was
total stranger to him. The shock took
away his breath again just as 1t was
coming back. He advanced shakily
into the room, and supported himself
with one hand on the desk, while With
the other he piled the handkerchief on
his superheated face.
| Billie was the first to speak.
why, father" she said. Il didn't
expect you"
As an explanation of her behavior
this might. no doubt, have been con-
sidered sufficient, but as an excuse for
it Mr.. Bennett thought it inadequate.
He tried to convey "a fatherly .reprOof
by pulling like seal after long dive
in search OF fish.
This is SAM" proceeded Billie.
Sam Marlowe.'
MIR. Bennett became aware that the
young man was moving toward him
with outstretched hand. 1t took lot
to discomfort Sam, and he was the
calmest person present. He gave evil
dence of this in neat speech. He
did not in SO many words congratulate
i MIR. Bennett on the piece of luck which
had befallen him, but he tried to make
him understand by his manner that he
was distinctly to be envied as the
prospective father-in-law of such one
as himself.
Mr.. Bennett stared in frozen sort
of way at the hand. He had placed
Sam by now. He knew that Sir Nal
laby had son. This. presumably, was
he. But the discovery did not dimin-
ish his INDICATION.
Il am delighted to meet you, Mr..
Bennett" said Sam. "You could not
have come at a more fortunate mo-
ment You see for yourself how
things are. There is no need for
long explanation. You came to find
daughter, Mr.. Bennett, and you have
found a son!'
And he would like to see the man,
thought Sam. who could have put it
more cleverly and pleasantly and tact
fully than that
"What are you talking about?" said
Mr. Bennett, recovering his breath. Il
haven't got a SON."
II Will be son to you will be
the prop of your declining yea IS. !"
what the devil do you mean, my
declining years?" demanded Mr.. Ben
nett with asperity.
"He means when they do decline,
father, DEAR" said, Billie.
"Of course, of course" said SAM
"When they do decline. Not till then,
of course. wouldn't dream of It.
But, once they do decline. count on
me! And should like to say for my
part" he went on handsomely. "what
an honor l think 1t. to become the
son-in-law of man like Mr. Bennett
Bensatt of New York; he added spa
ciously. cot so much because he knew
what he meant. for he would have been
the first to admit that he did not, but
because it sounded we'll.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)