The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-03-07

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from the ha1f-mocking smile and i'm
perturbable expression.
your son-fn-law?" he repeated. dc
you mean to say that you are the ia
Their of-of Oliver Hilditch's wife?"
Widow" the other corrected gently
II lave that honor. You will under
stand, therefore, that feel myself on
this. the first opportunity, compelled to
tender my sincere thanks for evidence
so chivalrously offered. so flawlessly
truthful"
Francis was a man accustomed ia
self-controi, but he clenched his hands
so that his finger nails dug into his
flesh. He was filed with an insane
and unreasoning resentment agains!
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 will permit me to say
so, your further acquaintance"
The stranger shook his head regret.
fully.
You are wrong he protested. 1--WE
were bound. in any case, to know one
another. Shall 1 tell you why? 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 maligned class now lfvfng-and
my neck is at you service"
"You appear to me-" Francis said
suavely, ito be buffoon."
It might have been fancy, but Fran
els could have sworn that he saw the
glitter Of sovereign malevolence In
the others dark eyes. If so, it was
but passing weakness. for a moment
later the half good-natured, haif-cyni-
cal smile was back again upon the
mans lips.
IF so, am at least buffoon of
parts.' was the prompt rejoinder. II
will, II you choose. prove myself"
There was moments silence. WIFI
more was leaning forward in his place,
studying the newcomer earnestly. An
impatient invective was somehow
St1fed 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 disturbance, and probably
what You would call crime will be
committed. VIII you use your vaunt-
ed gifts to hunt down the desperate
criminal and, in your own picturesque
phraseology. set your heel upon his
neck? Success may bring you fame and
the trail may lead-well, who knows
where?"
Afterwards, both Francis and An
drew Wilmore marveled at themselves
unable at any time to findgaly reason
able explanation Of their conduct, for
they answered this man neither with
ridicule, rudeness nor civility. They
simply stared at him, impressed with
the convincing arrogance Of his chal-
ienge and unable to find words Of re-
ply. They received his mocking fare
well without any form of reciprocation
or sign Of resentment. They watched
him leave the room, a dignified, dis
tiRguished figure, sped on his way with
marks Of the deepest respect by wait
ers, naitres d'hotel: and even the man.
ager himself. They behaved. indeed,
as they both admitted afterwards. like
a couple of moonstruck idiots.
"Well, I'm id" Francis exclaimed
Soto. come here at once"
The manager FASTENED smilingly to
their table. 49,
"SOto," Francis invoked, "tell us
quickly-tell us the name of the gen.
tleman who has just gone out. and who
he ISL"
"You don't know Sir Timothy Brast,
sirY' he exclaimed. "Why, he is sup
posed to be one of the richest men In
the world! He spends money like wa
ter. They say that when he is in Eng
land his place down, the river alone
costs thousand pounds week. When
he gives party here, we can find
nothing good enough. He is our most
generous client"
"Sir Timothy Brast." Wilmore re:
peated. yes, have heard of him."
"Why, everybody knows Sir limo
thy" Soto went on eloquently. HE is
the greatest living patron Of boxing.
He found the money for the last inter-
national fight"
"pve seen his name in the paper in
connection with something or other.
during the last few weeks" Wilmore
remarked refectively.
Probably about two months ago,
sir" Soto suggested. HE gave do
nation of ten thousand pounds to the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals. and they made him a vice
president. In one moment, SIR"
The manager hurried away to re-
ceive newly arrived guest. Francis
and his friend exchanged wondering
glance.
Father of oliver Hilditch's wife,"
Wilmore observed, "the most munifi-
cent patron of boxing in the world,