Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-02-21

Your son-ln-lawf" he repeated. ''Dt
you mean to say that you are the ia.
Their of--of Oliver Hlldltch's wlfeY
widow" the other corrected gently
Il have that honor. You will under
stand. therefore. that feel myself on
this, the first opportunity, compelled "a
tender my sincere thanks for evidence
SO chivalrously offered. so aawIessly
truthful"
Francis was a man accustomed to
self-control, but he clenched his hands
so that his finger nails dug into his
flesh. He was filled with an insane
and unreasoning resentment against
this man whose words were biting into
his conscience. Nevertheless. he kept
his tone level.
Il do not desire your gratitude" he
said, nor, If you viii permit me to say
so. your further acquaintance"
The stranger shook his head regret
fully.
You are wrong" he protested. I'VE
were bound, In any case, 70 know one
another, Shall tell you why7 You
have just declared yourself anxious to
set your heel upon the criminals OF the
world have the distinction OF being
perhaps the most famous patron Of
that mallgned class now living-and
my neck is at you service"
%You appear to me" Francis said
suavely, "toabe buffoon."
1t might have been fancy, but Fran
els could have sworn that he saw the
glitter OF q sovereign malevofence IN
the others dark eyes. II so, II was
but passing weakness, for a moment
later the half good-natured, half-cynl-
cal smile was back again upon the
mans lips.
IF so. / am at least a bufroon Of
parts, was the prompt rejoinder. II
viii, II you choose. prove myself"
There was a moments silence. Will
more was leaning forward in his place,
studying the newcomer earnestly. An
impatient invective was somehow
stitled on Francis lips
within a few yards OF this place,
some time before the closing hour to-
night" the intruder continued, earnest
", yet with curious absence Of any
human quality In his hard tone. there
will be a disturbance, and probably
what you would call a crime will be
committed. VIII you use your vaunt.
ed gifts TO hunt down the desperate
criminal and, in your own picturesque
set your heel upon his
necki Success may bring you fame and
The trail may lead-weIl, who knows
where7"
Afterwards. both Francis and An
rev Wilmore marveled at themselves,
Unable at any time TO find any reason.
lbIe explanation Of their conduct, for
hey answered this man neither with
rudeness nor civillty. They /
simply stared at him. impressed with
The convincing arrogance Of his chals
enge and unable TO find words of re-
ply. They received his mocklng fare
we'll without any form Of reciprocatlon
,r sign Of resentment. They watched
i'm leave the room. dignified, dis.
Inguished figure, sped on BIS way with
marks OF the deepest respect by wait
RS. maltres d'hotel. and even the man
ger himself They behaved, indeed,
s they both admitted afterwards, like
couple OF moonstruck idiots.
We'll, I'm d-dl" Francis exclaimed
Toto. come here at once"
The manager FASTENED smilingIy to
heir table.
Soto" Francis invoked. tell as
us the name OF the gen
Ieman who has just gone ont, and who
e isf"
"You don't know sir Timothy Brsst,
Ir7r he exclaimed. why. he Is stp-
osed to be one Of the richest men In
he world He spends money like wa
n. They say that when he Is In Eng.
md his place down the river alone I
1sts thousand pounds q week. When !
2 gives party here, we can find
othing good enough. he Is our most
snerOus client"
"Slr Timothy Brast," WIlmore re-
sated. yes, have heard Of him"
"whY, everybody knows Sir limo
y DDAy WTAl vi cfOHurHbtJs Alo - 4,
e greatest living patron Of boxing
e found the money for the last inter- :
ltional fight" q
Eve seen his name in the paper in y
with something or other, :,
ring the last few weeks Wilmore =
marked reaectiveiy.
Probably about two months ago. :,
!" Soto suggested. "He gave a do =
tion OF ten Thousand pounds 10 the
'ciety for the Prevention Of Cruelty
Animals, and they made him vice II
esident. In one moment, sir" Il
The manager hurried away to re- q
I've newly arrived guest. Francis
d his friend exchanged wondering
lnce.
Father Of Oliver HlIdItch's wife, :.
Ilmore observed, "the most munlf. =,
nt patron Of boxing in the world. q
Y president Of the Society for the ~s
eventioD Of Cruelty to Animals, and IN
f-confessed archcrimlnal He fooled @