Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-22
THE DOUBLE CHANCE
Fsnang Of Wrongly Accused Hero and Loyal Sueesa
By j. s. FLETCHER
Antto, of "Rayne Slsds Amalgamoton." etc.
Mr.. Scott put his spectacles on
again with calm elaboration.
Aatho, of "Raynr,-Slad. Amalgamoton." etc.

NIL RBotS p0k HAo oR1~hdSiSS va
gain with calm deliberatton.
~"There Is q certain school Of theo-
| iosians," he said with a smile which
phiiiipa did not understand. which
would tell you that a promise made
under such conditions II no promise
at all; that promise or vow exacted
at threat. or compulsion, or neces-
sity has no moral or religious obliga-
tions.
And am not sure that do not
agree with that school," he con-
tinued with a quiet chuckle. II am
quite sure that II a man came in
here and held q pistol to my head
and threatened to shoot me unless /
promised to give him his dinner next
Sunday I should certainly promise,
but should feel very reluctant to
keep nay promise"
"Oh, thank you. thank you-you
are always SO wise" exclaimed Phil
lipa. and darted out Of the room as
suddenly az she had entered 1t,
leaving the old vicar to wonder what
was the matter with her. She. ran
across to the castle and into the hall.
II want the brougham at once.
Dauncey. please" she said. Tell
them to be quick"
Within q quarter Of an hour she
was diving down to the colliery.
Naturally quick witted and active.
she had determined to lose no time
in doing what she had made up her
MIND to do. And In the interval of
|Aeating the vicarage and getting into
the brougham she had decided to tell
Mark Quinton of all that had passed
on the previous night between Stead
and herself. She felt that of all
the people about her Quinton was
, most to be trusted.
But Phillipa was not the girl to
take a mean advantage. She was
going to break her word to Marshall
stead. but she was also going to
tell Marshall Stead what she was
about to do before she did it. She
would not speak behind his back.
And so. when the brougham drew
up at the ofYlces of the colliery, and
Phillipa stepped out. she turned to
the counting house, and, entering the
ca shier's department, asked to see
the principal.
There was scarcely clerk in the
counting house who could remember
ever seeing Miss Mannersley there
before. and the young proprietress
OF Mannersiey Main was received as
10 she had been a princess. And Mr..
Marshall Stead himself came out, all
and bowed her into the private Office,
where Phillipa at one glance saw,
that they were alone.
II do not wish to sit down." she
said, Ignoring the chair Which he
placed for her. What ] have to say
will be said in few words. l have
come to tell you that l unreservedly
take back that promise which / gave
you--last night. l intend to make
known all you told me-and at
once"
II a sudden explosion in the work
ings far beneath them had happened
at that moment Marshall Stead
could scarcely have been more
astounded than he was. His usual
sang -froid left him; he turned red
and white, and finally q sickly gray:
his mouth opened and his face
twitched.
"But-your your word OF honor!
he stamniered.
You extorted my word from me in
the yilest of fashions!" she said with
blazing eyes. II am advised that
am under no obligation to YOU to
keep It. l am not going to do so.
There 10 one thing more ! have TO
say to you. After last night l know
what sort Of man YOU are. | viii no
longer have YOU in my employ. Mr.
Quinton will pay YOU years seiary
--two-fvs-tsn years o salarS' IL
stead had recovered himself by
that time. He alloysN little OF his
true SELF to peep out.
80 you mean your cousin to De
hanged" he said with a sneer OF the
man who suddenly discovers that his
Il would rather see my cousin
hanhed, drawn and quartered than
owe his life to a man like you!" she
exclaimed. But am not afraid, Tor
now do not believe your story!
1--WE will see" hs answered quiet
ly. you do III to turn me into an
enemy"
Phiilipa made no reply. But with
her hand on the door she turned ana
looked Ut him: :,
tress here. will net have you In
my employ one hour lenEer."
Then she swept out. feeling very
tignified and much older, through
the counting heuse ana round to the
general once, end there demanded
the manager. And while she waited
during the moment which elapsed
Before 0uinten came to her, she
realised That al The weight OF the
horrible night had dropped clean
away from her.
X Marx ouinton was astonished to
see Miss MSnnerslsy at the Office 80
soon after her fathers death. he was
much more astonishsd to hear the
story which she poured out to him:
1t had seemed TO her that she would
never be able to tell Il to 4 human
eoul, but her indignation against
stead had foused her To such pitch
thet che tsid the manager every
thing without hesitation.
And Quistsn, who listened With
hN hRnlg tightly elSrehs6 In bis
HWY say nj. sssfSs' !. sssss!ls s, .,l lses