Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-05
THE DOUBLE CHANCE
Fascinating Romance Of Wrongly accused Hero and Loyal Sreeedt
BY J. S. FLETCHER
.4uhoy of "Rayner-Sade Amagamaion," etc.
.Autioy of "Rayncr-Slade Amdlgaulation," etc.

Within it's time -mellowed cham
bers Sir Robert found his great re-
creation. The responsibilities of the
colliery had transformed him into a
business man. because he was a con-
scientious man, and he made a point
OF attending at his offices with
punctuality and assiduity; but he
was never so happy as when under
his own rooftree and by his own
hearth, talking to his friends or
showing them some of his treas
ures.
On the evening of the day following
Phillipa Mannersleys visit to the
checkweighman's cottage on the OPP
posite side of the valley three people
sat round the hearth in Sir Roberts
study examining an old Roman lamp
which he had just taken from a
cabinet. Sir Robert himself sat in
his accustomed easy chair, by which
stood q small table supporting a
shaded lamp. the light of which fell
, on his finely chiseled features, his
snowy hair and mustache. his long,
shapely fingers moving lovingly
about about the curio as he eX-
planned its peculiarities and beauties
to his daughter and his guest.
Phillipa, prettier than ever in her
dinner dress, hung over her fathers
chair: the guest stood before them
on the hearthrug. And a close OBJ
server would have seen that while
he manifested polite interest in
the Roman lamp, Mr.. Mark Quinton
was much more interested in it's
owners daughter.
was a tall. well built man of APP
parently thirty years of age, who
had much of the military man in his
appearance, in his movements. 1t
required little knowledge of human
nature to see than Mark Quinton
was n born martinet-a man
destined to command and to have
his own way. II his stern lips is
sued an order. and his steel blue
eyes emphasized it. most men un-
der him FASTENED to carry it out
without demur.
But the stern lips were tender
enough, and the keen eyes soft
enough, whenever Miss Phillipa
Mannersley happened to be near.
and some people were beginning to
notice the fact.
And l believe there is no other
specimen of this particular date, or
of this particular sort, with the ex-
tCptioH VI VIC az tiC DtIIIbI MuS6
UNI In London" said Sir Robert, low
ingly handling his Roman lamp. ~
somewhat similar lamp was I'M
carthed some years ago, but 1t was
not at all of the date or class of
this-not at ALL"
Wherefore Mannersley Castle and
its owner can boast themselves of
being in possession of something
which would be quite unique II it
were not for that tiresome British
Museum" said Phillipa, patting her
fathers head. You ought to be
flatered at making the acquaintance
Of such treasures. MIR. Quinton.
And now l must leave you gentle
men to entertain yourselves. for 1
am going out"
Out. my dear. at this hour?" ex-
claimed Sir Robert. Dear me,
why"
only for a while, papa, and it Is
on an errand OF mercy--one of my
old women" said Phillipa. Il shall be
home again before you know l am
gone
Il sincerely hope. my dear. that
the object of your visit does not
reside in the miners village" said
Sir Robert.
Shall 60 with you wherever 1t
is, Miss Mannersley?" said Quinton.
1T Is rather late, and though"
Thanks. no. really" she said.
Ann Mary, YOU know, goes with
me everywhere. l shall see you on
my return, MIR. Quinton."
She gave him light nod and left
the room.
Sir Robert rose from his chair.
Roman art, ere" he said. "Ah.
That reminds me that l had some
Roman coins sent to me the other
cay. I'll show them to you. They're
In another room. Sit down,
Quinton. and I'll fetch them. Light
another. do"
The old baronet went out Of the
room, and the manager walked over
to the side table TO take a cigar
from an open case. In passing an
other small table on his way, he
saw a card lying on tia mere scrap
of card, crumpled and dirty-and
before he could turn his eyes from
it read what was written on II: 1.-THE
Hermit's Cell-tonight--nine thirty"
He chose a cigar. went back to
the hearth. and stood there wonder
ing what such mysterious sentence
meant. The door opened-Phillipa
returned, In walking dress. She
looked fiurried. and q little upset.
"Ali alone. Mr.. ouinton?" she ex-
claimed.