6 t)
THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: SEPTEMBER 3, 1916.
The Grip of
Eighth Episode In Bohemia
CHAPTER XV.
The Irrepressibles.,
One evening tt dusk John Burton
was anted in hi study killing the
half hour which intervened before he
must go to hit dressing room and
change hit colthes for dinner. For
.some reason his thoughts were tinged
with an unusual melancholy. He
found himself reviewing the bygone
years, and the singular conclusion
was borne in on him that he had
never been really happy since he
reased to earn a living by manual
labor.
- He wai now a marquis and a man
of great means, yet, in the midst of
i palatial establishment, with a troop
of servants ready to obey his slightest
wish, and an expensive French chef
even then preparing his solitary meal,
he suddenly realized that the last
genuine pleasure within recollection
had nothing whatsoever to do with
titles and luxuries.
He remembered the occasion per
fectly well. He had been five years
at work in a foundry when the man
ager of his department stopped him
one morning as he passed the check
office and said offhandedly:
, "Burton, in future, you take charge
as foreman, and draw down $25 per
week. Make good, and it'll be thirty
at the end of the month!"
Although John had deserved pro
motion, it was none the less sweeet
when it come. Now, after the full
years, came the bitter thought that
not only had he not really earned a
cent by honest toil, but that all the
joy seemed to have gone out of life.
Moved by uncontrollable Impulse he
aprang to hit feet and ran upstairs
two steps at; a time. Hit valet wat
arranging the ttuda in a drest auit.
"Quit thatl" laid John, cheerfully.
"I'm off on a tripv Take charge here
till I come back. My lawyers will at
tend to the necessary expenses."
"For what period shall 1 pack, sir?"
inquired the man.
"Nothing doing," grinned John, "I'll
fix things for myself." s
Producing a bunch of keyt, he un
locked a drawer which the valet was
never allowed to open, and astonished
his servitor by bringing forth atiold
and worn suit of blue serge, the
"everyday best" rig of his. working
days, which, with a thick flannel shirt,
he proceeded to don forthwith..
The man smiled. He believed his
master was bent on some Haroun al
Raschid escapade, and the marquis of
Castleton was sufficiently erratic in
hit behavior at times that the incident
should past without comment.
Beyond t plentiful supply of money
John brought nothing with him
which savored of the dignity he was
leaving behind. He . meant giving
himself a genuine test. He took train
for a neighboring town, ate a meal
at a small restaurant (to be candid,
he found the food' coarse and unpala
table) and let about finding a lodging
such at would be suitable to a me-
chanie out of work. A friendly po
liceman directed him, and the man't
' sunburned face looked to kindly and
sympathetic that John ; asked him
; where he might teek . . employment
with tome prospect of success. Just
then a row in the street called for the
interevention of the law.
Two men were fighting, and the
policeman wat about to grab the pair
: of them when 'an elderly,, wiaened
' man, fully 65 years of age. ran from
a dilapidated building labeled "Mis
. tion Hall," and thrust himself be
- tween the pugilists.
"Come, now. Jim, and you, Tomr
tried the peacemaker amiably,
"what'i all this :.bout? Why should
two good pals like you try to settle
a dispute like a couple of marling
, curt? All right, officer," he went on,
winking at the policeman, "I'll fix
v thingt. This stupid icrap ends here
and now. Neither of 'em will hit
' Brother Billy will you. please?"
TWe combatants looked sheepish.
One volunteered : an explanation
which the other capped by demand
ing fiercely:
"Why didn't you tell me that
" sooner?" '
So the row was settled. Inciden
tally, John made the acquaintance of
one who had devoted his whole life
to the tervice of his fellows. Brother
Billy invited him to enter the Mission
hill, and looked ouuled on hearing
that hit new friend wat in search off
work. The missionary was a judge
of men. One glance at the young
millionaire'! clean-cut, thoughtful and
self-reliant face told him that here
was no waster, but a man well able
10 take care of himself.
. "I could do with your help here,"
he said instantly. "Sometimes my
lambs grow troublesome sheep and
require rather strenuous handling."
But the offer was not to Jotin't lik
ing. It savored too much of the very
inquiry which wat torturing hit tout,
Ind he knew from tad experience
that he had been an abject failure
as a philanthropist. - The mii-
iionaey promised to give hu case
iome consideration on the morrow,
and Jahn was about to depart when a
poor woman entered, sobbing piti
fully. She was in urgent need of a
loan to save her children from starva
tion,
The missonary looked pained. He
searched hit pockets. They were
empty. He lived like the ravens,
trusting to Providence to provide the
wherewithal for the morrow. John's
soft heart melted, of courie. He fol
lowed the weeping supplicant and
pressed a five-dollar bill into her
hand, whereat BrotheY Billy smiled.
He fancied he had taken the measure
of his man correctly.
Brother Billy rendered his new
friend an immediate service ny di
recting him to a lodging slightly su
perior in quality to any place which
Burton might have found otherwise.
It hid been erected as a atudio build
ing, but an industrial wave had sub
merged the district, and art is a ten
ner tlower wnicn teiaom inrrvcs in
nrh conditions. .
Still, the rnjfses had not wbol1yde-
mrted. at lohn learned while bargain
ing with the janitor for a sparsely
furnished room. A pretty girl passed
on the landing. She wat carrying a
bottle of milk and a box of crackers.
and lohn wat vastly turprised by not
ing the way in which the man scowled
after her.
"1 don't mind a chap like you bein'
a few days shy with the rent." came
the , jaiu'lor's prompt explanation.
"You can always make good after a
week's work, but who'i goin' to buy
little imaget of toft clay, the lame as
she turns out? and a jerk indicated
the retreating figure. "Why, the
can't even raise the wind to buy a
block of stone. I'll go and fire her
right away."
John had caught a glimpse of a
sweet face, with big, artistic eyes of
myosotis blue; eyes of that wonderful
tint which becomes a deep and tender
violet when shaded, and wiihed that
he dared intercede in the defaulter'i
behalf. If, however, he really meant
ficrsevering in his latest role It was
udicrously impossible that he should
go about the world playing the part
of stage uncle to everyone in distress.
So he entered his room and, being
somewhat tired, stretched himself at
full length on the bed for a smoke and
a hard think."
The weather being warm, he left
the door ajar, and toon became aware
that a somewhat lively crew occupied
a suite on the same landing. The
janitor's heavy footsteps sounded on
the stairs. Apparently he had gone
ttraight to the girl't apartment, and
John guessed, quite accurately as it
happened that a gruff warning had
been given and tearfully received.
Seemingly a similar errand was im
minent for the noisy, laughing young
fellows whose chatter reached John
clearly through the open door.
Indeed, be heard the man say
loudly:
"I'm bringing you fellers a final no
tice. You're three weeks behind now,
and if I ain't paid tomorrow"
"Hush," gurgled a rich flutelike
voice. "Don't utter another word and
I'll show you where we keep the de
mon." John't curiosity was aroused. He
rose and went to the door, and taw
a very tall and "phenomenally thin
young man leading the janitor into
the opposite flat. The uncouth Irish
man was tomewhat startled by that
word "demon." and his guides sat
urnine air was mystifying. At any
rate, lie was silrnced for the moment
and suffered himself to be taken
across the room towards a cabinet
which the tall young man suddenly
tm-ew open.
The ianitor stennf d back a pace,
evidently expecting to see something
uncanny, but his fascinated eyes
merely rested on a few glasses and a
big black bottle labeled "The Demon
Rum." ' - '' ' '
A ribild veil from some unseen
spectators greeted hit turprise. But
the Irishman took the situation and
the rum arood humoredly, and went
out without delivering the ultimatum.
John could not help overhearing what
followed. Me Became aware inn inc
lanky person flourished a five-dollar
hill, the sicht of which evidently in
duced a momentary ttupefaction in
hit friends. .. ' '
"Tell vou what, bovs." chortled the
youngster, "we'll celebrate tonight.
I've actually disposed of a master-
niece. ' 1 V-
"Bring Mary," thouted tomeoneJ
"She t at hard up s we are.
The tusnestion wai acted upon in
stantly, and John knew that a pro
if.tinor hut lauahinff girl wat being
dragged forcibly downstairs. But the
brotherhood ol tne arts aia nor. cnu
there. He heard the tall young man
saying: .
"ThitVfour of us. We want a
fifth, since there't luck in odd num
ber, at witnest tne nve in inia em.
There't I new lodger across the way.
Perhapt he't hungry, too.
Thut it came about that John found
himself In Bohemia, and was toon
shaking hands with Mary Ames,
sculptress; Reggie Burke, cartoonist;
Tom Delancey,. writer, and Charlie
Pierce, musician. ..- -ti,
thru mi hid been, dubbed
"The Irrepressible!" by their friendt,
and never wat the title better deierv
ed. They limply fcubbled over with
human kindliness: tne wine 01 me
irrmrd ever to dance in their eyes
and effervesce in their heads. But
that they were real good fellows there
could be no doubt whatever, and
John wai not long in tumming them
up from tne scraps 01 traiYcmu
which reached hit eart while tupper
wat being prepared.
Mary Ames was regarded as a fairy
princess, and always addressed with
ceremony. Tom Delancey officiated
at cook, and hit Iriendt were dit-
f latched on errands to the neighbor
ng storea. Hence, John had a few
minutes' tustained talk with Mary. He
was very much taken by the girl. She
was frank and unsophisticated, ana
made no secret of the fact that her
devotion to the sculptor'i art. while
sufficing for her emotion! .brought
neither food nor raiment,
The foragers returned, and a moat
appetizing meal wat toon tizzling and
frizzling on a gas atove. Suddenly
the cook uttered a cry ot dismay.
"Dash it, if I haven't gone and for
gotten the salt) There isn't as much
in the place as would fill a midge's
eye." - . ..
"I have aome," said Mary. "I'll go
and fetch it."
, She was gone to long that Delan
tey grew impatient and ye'led for
her at the top of his voice. She
came at once, but not alone. She
was accompanied by a good-looking,
well-dressed man of about 35 years
of age, whose face and manner be
tokened the successful artist.
The three young men hailed him
gleefuly at "Evan," and invited him
to join in the impromptu meal. He
accepted initantly and wat evidently
more than willing to renew mem
ories of hii own itudent days. Mary,
whoae eyea were sparkling, but
whose demeanor was now somewhat
subdued, calmly introduced the new
comer to John at Mr. Evan Tarker,
and the surname revealed an artist
whose work commanded high prices
both from dealers and connoisseurs.
Now, a dramatic thing had hap
pened during Mary Ames' brief ab
sence from her friends, an event des
tined to shape the whole course of
her life. She had gone into her room
expecting to find it empty, and was
surprised, even a trifle indignant, by
discovering that the rich and well
known Evan Parker had actually
dared to enter her apartment without
permission. He had even stripped
the wet cloths off the clay study on
which the was engaged. Nor did he
turn at the sound of her footsteps,
but continued his scrutiny of the cjay
ugure. ins aiiuuiic was revcrem
(- 1
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nQr:WM ,f
) aY'4 I'
0. S
Aatkar of Th. Wiaga U Mrif," "Th M lmr t Lights
"Th Tarau of 5erondor, "nuaaoor i,
By LOUIS TRACY 3Srt&' of " N"
Copyright, 1916, by Looia Tracy.
lkilfM mm
BUKTON TRIES TO SHOW MARY SHE WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH THE ARTIST.
He seemed to exude a breathless ad
miration. " ' t
"Wonderful!" he murmured softly
to himself. "I didn't think there was
anyone within a thousarfd miles who
could create anything like that. But
where on earth did she , get her
model? ,
Now. Mary Amet wat well aware
that Parker't appreciation -of her
work wat genuine. She knew, too,
that praise from Sir Rupert was
praise indeed, and her heart swelled
with momentary pride. et tne nad
to find commonplace wordt somehow.
"Have you called on me, Mr. Par
ker?" she inquired.
The intruder spun round on his
heels.
"A thousand pardons." he laid,
bowing gracefully. "I am here by
mistake. I am horrUilv hard up for
a model. Mist AmesA The new state
art gallery has commissioned a mural
painting of spring, and I can no more
find a girl to pose for it than if I
were asking for one cut out of a solid
diamond. 1 called here tonight mean-
ins to ask Rea-eie Burke tf he could
assist me. I misunderstood the jani
tor, and mounted one floor too high.
Finding the door ajar, I peeped in, and
saw your charming little study of a
fawn. Do be kind, Miss Ames, and
lend me your model. I'll pay her full
time, both for you and for myself."
The girl blushed furiously, and her
eyes darted a sidelong glance at a
full-length mirror standing close to
the wall. Parker understood. She
wat her own model!
"Oh," he laid, "it that it?"
Evidently astonished, and not ' a
little amused, Parker wat gentleman
enough to tpare the girl any embar
rassment. Bending again over the
nymph in the clay, he said quietly:
"My eyet cannot take in more than
one tuch wondrous creation at a time.
I might have guetsed the truth, be
cause no other model in this city
could possibly have inspired this fig
ure. You have a masterpiece here.
Of course, there are faults, due to
lack of training, but these weigh as
nothing against the sure touch of the
artist and the true tense of form. I
hadn't the least notion that you could
do work like this. What a pity I What
a pity.l" . .
Mary arched here eybrowt as the
artist gave her a swift and search
ing glance. (
"I hate pretence," he went on quiet
ly. "You are too poor to ttudy un
der the master you need. Isn't that
lo? Don't I know too well what it
means? Many a day have I worked
in Julien's and tustained exhausted
nature on a 10-centime roll bought for
breadfast and another for - dinner.
Now, let me suggest a way out of
your difficulties. I mean no offense.
I speak as one artist to another. 1
am sorely in need of just such a mo
del as that from which you have fash
ioned your naiad. Will you pose for
me ? I'll pay you well and I may be
able to help you irf other ways. Think
it over, and let me know."
Just then Tom Delancey shouted
for the salt. Little wonder if Mary's
eyet thone and her . mind wat dis
traught. She wat not exactly bat
tling against temptation. That had
not come yet, but she wat in tore
need, and Evan Parker'a offer reached
her within a few minutes after the
janitor had said quite unmistakably
that she must either pay her rent or
quit, v , w (..'.,..
CHAPTER XVI.
Miry'i Deciiion.
During the next three weeks John
lived in a dun paradise, for paradise
il not an earthly garden, but a heaven
on earth of man's own creation, and
can be found more often in the hovels
of the poor than in the palaces of the
rich.
He thoroughly enjoyed the society
of the Irrepressible! and, marvelous
to relate, had fallen head over heels
in love with Mary Amet. The girl'i
beauty and a naturally aweet dispo
sition combined with her artistic lean
ing to single her out as a desirable
wife. Moreover, what a delight it
would be if he could woo and win her
as a mere workingman, and lead her
on tbeir wedding day into that glitter
ing circle of rank and wealth for
which every young and good-looking
woman is inclined, no matter what
her other ideals may be.
01 course, he maintained his soi
disant style. . Since he did not wish
now for regular employment, he ac
cepted Brother Billy's offer, and
helped in the work of the mission set
tlement. But John was a poor actor,
being ever too ready to let his heart
govern his head. He encountered so
much real misery that he felt com
pelled to alleviate some of it, and
either distributed , money surrepti
tiously when he knew it would do
good or assisted broken-down families
into a new environment where work
might be obtained and comforts se
cured. Brother Billy's keen brain soon pen
etrated the young millionaire's dis
guise. A fevf tactful inquiries in other
quarters, a few well-thrown flies in
the shape of comments on men and af
fairs casts which John rose at open
mouthed and unsuspicious quickly
made the evangelist aware of his pro
tege's identity. He chuckled, but said
nothing. He was content to thank
Providence for the wonder-working
assistant who had come to him out
of the world. - '
So John was rnore or less master of
his own time and contrived his attend
ances at the mission in such wise
that he was free to associate every
evening with has four new friends.
One night, when the Irrepressibles
had gone to some revel arranged by
men of their own let. John tat in
his room and probed deep into his
heart. In other words, he tried to
survey Mary Ames from every point
of view as the partner of his future
life. She filled the bill adequately.
She was beautiful and would grace his
board as its mistrest. She was well
educated. He might never fear that
her graces would be dimmed when
she dazzled and astonished the world
as the marchionest of Castleton.
Above all, her timid and trusting na
ture enwrapped her like some deli
cate gauze which half revealed, half
hid, the fascinating creature of flesh
and blood beneath..
After half an hour of close self
communion he resolved to put his for
tunes to the test then and there.
Walking upstairs, he knocked at
Mary's door, knowing that the girl
was in, since they had parted on the
landing, she having announced wist
fully that she meant to take m little
time in solitude "to solve a problem.
John had smiled at the words. He
k.i;.,..,( .Vi referring to the ever-
l-present burden of debt. He knew that
Mary nad tried in vain io aciuic ,
art dealer s commission ior tumiiti
ing the statuette, but not a man
among the local fraternity had sense
enough to see the real merit of the
clay model. They even refused to
give her the menas of turning the soft
mold into lasting marble. V
He smiled pleasantly now at
thought of the wonderment which
would leap to her eye! when she found
herself a titled lady with command
of almost unlimited meant. '
Naturally, he took good care that
AM not run short of the absolute
necessaries of life. Little scheminjH
was needed toward that end, since tne
Irrepressibles never asxen wnence a
five-dollar bill came they merely
whooped at light of it, and planned
Lucullian banquets. The Irish jani
tor, too, was easily persuaded not to
put his threat! into execution. But
John meant to win Mary fairly. In
that he was adamant. He had been
swindled and humbugged !o outrage
ouslvjn the past that the wife of his
choice must come tohis arms single
minded and unsoiled, sincerely lov
ing him for himself alone. .
So it was with a mixture of high
rnlve Uld treoidation of heart that
he tapped on her door. He was sur
prised by tne souna or mc voice inn
bade him enter. Mary had been cry
ing. She made no effort to restrain
her tear, even when she w lohn.
"Why, girlie, what is the matter?"
he said tenderly.
She hung her head and muttered
brokenly that it was silly to give way
like that,' but she could not help it.
He placed a hand gently on her shoul
der. "Won't you confide in me, dear?"
he said. ' . -
rlt was the first time he had ven
tured on any real tenderness in word
or act, and the girl lifted her stream
ing eyes to his. -
"There are some things which a
woman cannot tell a man, even a
friend whom she prizes," she, sobbed.
Then John knew that he was face to
face with the great adventure. He
took her by the shoulders and half
raised her from the bench where she
was lifting.
"That it so, Mary," he said softly.
"Perhaps you cannot confide in one
who is little more than a stranger,
but you might find it possible to take
your husband into your confidence."
"What are you saying?" she almost
screamed, though she trembled vio
lently, and did not seek to extricate
herself from his, embrace.
"I'll put it quite clearly, dear," he
cooed. "Will you marry me?"
She dropped as if he had struck
her.
"Oh. no. no." she wailed. "Any
thing but that! It is impossible I"
He knelt by her side and endeav
ored to loothe her.
"Listen, Mary," he whispered. ' "I
love you, and I begin to hope that I
am not altogether indifferent to you.
You are a pure and good woman, I
know, and I shall be honored beyond
measure "
"Stop!" she screamed in a frenzy.
"Must I even sacrifice one of my
few friends? Marriage between us
would be a crime. Our poverty would
crush us. Don't you realize what it
means? I am ambitious. I love my
art, and would sell my very soul for
the wherewithal to prosecute it. I
want to see the great wide world
the world which I have read about
and dreamed of, but which seemi to
be a mere mirage of the ever more
distant shore of the morass of my
daily life."
' Now, John, in his wooing, had
managed to lose sight of the all-im-portany
fact that be was supposed
to be desperately poor, and Mary's
passionate refusal to bear poverty's
handicap came as a shock. Yet he
was strong minded enough to hold
back, even in that tense moment, the
explanation that would have cleared
the horizon and led the girl't stumb
ling steps into the firm, sure road of
happiness.
"We are both young, Mary," John
urged. "I have every confidence of
being able soon to. place you in a far
better position than we both occupy
at this time. Don't send me away
from you because I am only a work
ing man." -
He was astounded by the hard and
defiant glitter which shone suddenly
in those beautiful eyes. The melting
blue in their depths turned to the cold
sheen of steel. She plucked a note
from her breast. - t
"Read that!" the said. Almost harsh
ly.' "There you will find! the problem
confronting me. God help me, I have
to choose between honest love of a
poor man and the temptation of a
wealthy one!"
Hardly grasping the true aence of
the words, John opened the crumpled
letter. - It was signed "Evan," and
bore that day'! date. A glance at it!
concluding passage sufficed:
"to I must go abroad, to Paris.
Will you go with me? Think of the
opportunities you will have for study.
And don't you care just a little for
me? Unhappily, I can't offer you
marriage, .that, as you know is out
of the Question in pretent conditions.
I want you to weigh thit propositionj
fairly and reasonably, ana win come
for my answer this evening."
A dawning horror showed in John s
face. He had met Evan Parker be
fore, and deemed him a decent sort of
fellow. Yet the man had the callous
ness to admit an infamy oyer nis-very
signature. Maqt's tortured soul bared:
itself in a wild cry. 1
"God help me I ' I don't even know
what I shall aay when he comes."
John realized vaguely that . love
making or consolation was not to be
thought of just then. He felt, too,
that Mary must be left to work out
her own salvation, and there was a
grim satisfaction in the notion that
while the girl was battling to-. protect
all' that a woman holds most sacred,
he would assist her materially by
smashing Evan Parker's face to n
Pulp-
running in dismay. None dared t
interfere, whereupon someone tent
for the police. It chanced that Broth,
er Billy was actually talking to a
roundsman when a terrified house
maid blurted out the amazing atate
ment that strange man, who gave
his name as John Burton, was trying
to kill Mr. Parker.
The two hurried after the maid, but,
while on the way. Brother Billy
thought it high time to reveal John
status. ' I he policeman was turpnsea.
The two ttricken people were made I ot cojrj. but the knowledge that h.
aware by hilarious sounds beneath
that the Irrepressibles had returned
unexpectedly. Somehow, the boys'
harmless mirth grated at that in
stant, and John went out, dodging
into his own room until he couldr be
certain that his friends would not see
him crossing the landing. Then he
crept downstairs, meaning to seek
Parker in the artist's luxurious
studio. . -.-
In his rage against Parker he did
not guess that his own visit to Mary
might have a disastrous sequel. In
fact, it nerved the girl to make up
her mind, once and for all. She could
endure the struggle no longer. Screw
ing her resolution to the pitch of sac
rifice, she lifted the clay model of her
statuette carefully in her arms, car
ried it into the disheveled living'
rooms where the three Irrepressibles
were sprawled in as much ease as their
ramshackle furniture would permit,
and, sweeping aside some cooking
utensils on the table, deposited there
her one precious gift.
"I am going away, dear bovs!" she
sobbed, heedless of the amazed
silence which greeted this dramatic
entry of their tear-stained idol. "I
am going far, far away. You'll never
see me again, and I want you to keep
thit in remembrance f Princess
Mary!" -
She rushed out without another
word, and three pipes fell with one
accord from three wide-open mouths.
"What's bitten Mary?" growled
Reggie Burke, who was the first to
recover the power .of speech.
"She's not been herself for some
time," muttered Pierce. "Haven't you
fellows noticed " r
. Tom Delancey, for all his good hu
mor and lightheartedness, was the
shrewdest of the trio.-'-
"Tell you what," he said gravelyi
"I've a sort of . notion that Evan Park
er isn't playin' the game. Mary has
gone to his studio a good deal of late.
I think she's posing for that mural
picture of his.
"I kind o' thought that John Bur
ton was gone on her," said Reggie.
"I wish to the Lord she'd marry
him." and Delancey'a tone wat very
emphatic. "He't one of the best, and
I do believe -Mary would inspire
him with ambition. He't just the
type of working man who ends up gsl
tne neaa ot a trust or someining
equally high and mighty."
"Where .it .. h now?" inquired
Pierce.
Tom crossed the landing and
peeped into John's room. But John
was out. As a matter of fact, at that
instant, he jwas confronting Mary s
temoter and urging the man in. the
most solemn way to abandon his pur
suit of a . girl who deserved better
treatment at his hands.
Parker't handsome face flushed
with anger when he learned the na
ture of John's errand.
I shall be obliged to you, my good
fellow, if you will mind your own
business." he said icily. "People of
your class don't grasp these things.
Miss Ames and I are blessed, or
cursed, with the artistic temperament,
and it is a mere piece of impertinence
on your part to even try to under-
91AIIU U9.
John i lips set tightly and his hsts
clenched. ,
If I can t convince you by the
spoken word," he said sternly, "I'll
try another style of argument. You
are a man, I tuppoie, but I tell you
straight you have the lout of a dog,
and not a well-bred dog at that. Still,
the verieit cur will show its teeth
when attacked, and now I'm going to
lick you into obedience. ,N w
Parker wat so angry already thalyj"
ne was noirvmg toatn to accept mc
challenge. He was a well-set-up man
and something of an athlete, so the
two were fairly well matched. '
They fought like a couple of bulls,
raising such a racket in the respecta
ble neighborhood which harbored the
artists'! studio that servants came
u-31 Healinz.' with a millionaire mar
quis modified hii attitude coniiderj
ably. John wai getting the better of
Parker and had almost lucceedeo ra
breaking the scoundrel'l right -wrist
when the policeman dashed in and
dragged him off his victim.
Parker, whoae senses had never de
serted him, glared balefully at hit as
sailant, but motioned the policeman
that he was simply to eject the in
truder from his house.
"I bring no charge," he snarled.
"I'll deal with him in another way. I
know how to hurt him, the brute I
I'll hit him worse than he can ever
nir me i .
John understood, but had no option
at that moment save to accompany
the policeman. He had barely gono
out when Mary dashed in. She was
so wiiu-evea wun ireneicu iwwit.
that she "did not notice at first the
disheveled condition of the room and
the battered state of the artists fea
tures. But she had leen John walking
down the street with a policeman, and
a second glance told her what had
happened. -' , , .
"Did Burton attack you?" the de
manded hysterically. c '
"Yes," was the savage answer.
"How did he come to know of my
letter?" - . , .
"I I showed it to him. He aeked
me to marry him."
"And what did you say? .
"I refused. I am nek of beinr ,
nnnr. I am here to tell you now
that T aree tn vnnr terms.
she had given no heed to Brother
Billy, who had withdrawn to a cor
ner of the studio when she ran in.
"What are those terms?he said
quietly. . ... '
She wheeled on htm like an angry
goddess. ' ' , -
' "What business is that of yours?
she snapped. "Keep your, psalm-
singing for those who need it. I don t
not yet, anyhow. - - :. '.
"I can guess only too well, replied
the saddened evangelist. "But you
have chosen wrongly, you deluded
girl. - You are ready to become the
partner of this- evil-minded man who
will cast you off when tired of you
as a child discards a broken toy. And
in the same breath you have refused
the honest love of a man who would
have made you a marchioness and
loaded you down with the wealth for
which you have sold yourseu, ooay
and soul." ' "
"What are you talking about?"
shrilled Mary, almost at her wits' end,
yet fully convinced that the old man
had gone mad. ,
Brother Billy shook his head. -
"The John Burton who ihared your
poverty of late, ii none other than
John Burton, the multimillionaire,
marquis of Castleton in the British
peerage, and owner of several fine es
tates, he said. "I have known hii
secret for iome time. Now it is your
punishment - that you, too, should
know it." -
So John still found Humanity in the
Grip of Evil. ,
(End of Eighth Episode.)
The Formidable Tom.
Jl writer, traveling on foot throntll the
southern mountains atudytna the people foe
literary purposes, oeme upon a man of
whom he eouaht Information as to the loea
tlon of a oerteln eebln where he had beta
,-. - .... r
"Ton-mil coin' there r liked the men.
"Well, Tom'e fuet-eleee men, tefce him ieeft
rttht. but he'e mlshty queer.1 ,
"What do you meant
Tt like thio: Tom'n be tetttif mtetda
moet likely, en he'll eee you-eeomln' i he'll
teke a rood look et you -ell, en' of you-ell
don't eult hlra he may set the dewf on you.
jsr ne aon-c, ana you fits to telkln with
lm, end ley inythlne he don't like, he
mey throw you down en' tromp tm yeu-ali,
But ef you-'ell'e too careful In your talk, on
the ether hend, he's lleble to alt uiplcteuu
en' teke you-ell for a ipy en' nee hti sun
fuit en' Helen to eiplenetlone afterward.
But tt eln't no uee tryln' to alt by without
topplna. St you-ell wee to try that, tt
would be ell up, for he'd think yon-ell w.e
proud en' henahty. Ef you-ell wenta to come
outer the mountain whole, don't so peel
Tom'e cabin without etopplns, whatever
you do." New Tork Times.
W mmvTH jl3aW.
J J aMs i -V .
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