Evening star., 1924-08-10

r WAS Parker, Mr.. Brewsttrs
English valet, who first directed
Archie's attention to the hidden
L merits of Pongo, q small china
fgure in ME. Brevster's sitting room.
Very valuable, some of tho gov
nor's things" said Parker. This
nne, now. Worth q lot OF money.
Oh, . lot Of money!"
"what-Pongor said Archie. in
nredulously. 'T always call that
rummy-looking little what-not Pom
go: Don't know what else you could
can hina-what!"
-wprth q lot Of money. he repeat
ID MOT by itself. no."
~Oh, not by itseif?"
mo, sir. Things like this come IN
pairs. Somewhere or other there's
the companion piece to this ERE, and
if the gov'nor could get old of It,
he'd ave somethin gworth 'aving."
~How much would the pair be
WORTH" Archie asked. "Ten dollarsr'
Parker smiled . gravely superior
smile.
Several thousand dollars. more
lfke it"
do you mean to say said Archie,
with honest amazement "that there
are chumps going about loose-abso-
lute1y 1oose-who would pay that for
q weird little object like Pongo?
Undoubtedly, sir. These antique
china figures are in great demand
among the collectors"
Archie looked at Pongo once more
and shook his head.
~well, we'll, well! 1t takes all sorts
to make a world-what?"
CEvERAL weeks later Archie was
~ strolling back from the golf links
in the cool Of an August evening at
his father-in-law's place at Brook
port. Lucille, his wife, came in view,
a trim little figure in a white skirt
and pale-blue sweater.
"Hullo ullo ullo" said Archie.
Here we are-what? 1 was just
hoping you would drift over the hori-
zon."
Lucille kissed him.
You're a darling" she said. And
where is father?"
him in the locker room. chewing a
cigar. Gave the impression OF hav-
ing something on his mind
"Oh, Archie. you didn't beat him
again."
Archie looked uncomfortable.
"well, yes. I fooled him in nine
down.
But you promised me you would
let him beat you today"
.I know. But, light Of my soul,
have you any idea how dashed diff
cult it is to be beaten by your festive
parent at golf?"
"Oh. welI'-Lucille sighed-'it can't
be helped, 1 suppose" She felt in the
pocket of her sweater. "Oh, there's
letter for you. I've just been to fetch
tho mail I don't know from whom it
can be. Open it and see."
Dashed Bright scheme! I will.
Herbert Parker. Who the deuce is
Herbert Parker?"
Parker: Fathers Wallets name was
Parker''
do you mean the long, thin bird
mo one he fired just before we came
Gown here?
yes Father found he was wearing
hfs shirts. But read the letter"
Archie read:
eDear Sir:
ut is some time since the UNDER
signed had the honor of conversins
STith you, but I am respectfully trust
ing that you may recall me TO mind
when I mention that until recently I
served Mr.. Brewster, your father-in-
Eaw, in the capacity of valet. Owing
20 an unfortunate misunderstanding
Fam now temporarily out Of job"
you know" said Archie admiring-
u. .this bird is hot stuff, mean to
say he writes dashed we'll"
Il always thought Parker was a
very clever man. Father used to say
he Knew as much about antiques and
things as he did himself"
"Antiquesn I knew there was
something at the back of the old
bean. He told me something-I can't
recall what it was, but I know 1t
struck me as dashed interesting. Well,
let's get on with it."
you may recall that we had an
Interesting talk one morning on the
subject of Mr.. BIS objects dart. You
may recall being particularly interest
ed in a. small china figure. I informed
you, if you remember, that, could
the accompanying figure be secured
the pair would be extremely valuable
Il am glad to say, dear sir, that this
has now transpired, and is on view at
Beale's Art Galleries on West Forty
fifth street, where it will be sold to-
morrow at auction, the sale commenc-
ing at ESQ sharp. If Mr.. Brewster
cares to attend, he will, fancy, have
little trouble in securing it at rea-
sonable price. I must confess I am
not altogether uninfluenced by the
thought that my action in this matter
may conceivabIy lead to Mr.. B. con-
senting to forget the past and to re-
instate me in my former position. 1
remain,
Respectfully yours.
~HERBERT PARKER"
Lucille clapped her hands.
How splendid! Father will be
pleased"
"Yes, with Parker"
Tnci1yA ref eeted