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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1926-5-19, Page 7altrarammaetra.ONOVNYWIRIMeralOilly.gy THE BRUSSELS POST Orlyanagoin4,001014.4., WEDNESDAY, MAY i), i923, Love, 1 he Tyrant ZT aot been there I am somewhat (dose ly conneeted with it. You know the story of Sir Itichard'e nephew am heir, the young man who would have inherited all this if he had lived?. He WaS murdered," she added, in a low VO!,, "soon after his unele'e. death; eo 1 (gime into the property." "I know; I have heard," he. add. "Then again," elle went an, in a still lower voico, "I had a brother out there; he died some time two; so that Australia, is a fateful co entry to me." -"Yes, indeed," eaid Harry Covee- dale, with his frank young sympathy for this beautiful young girl, tolo mistress of the -vast Vancourt pro- perty. "I was talking to Mr. Selby Layton and my uncle of, the strange coineidenee by which / became ac- quainted with Sir Richard's nephew. He was called Arthur Hylton then." Ile, told her the story of the claim he hail bought of the two men, and epuke of "Arthur Burton" with the Name enthusiasm he had displayed when discussing the matter at the Fanworths' table. - "It is a thousend pities he didn't live," Auld Esther with a sigh. "From what you have said of him he wocild have made a splendid master of Van- eourt, end would no doubt have been so superbly happy; while I—r" "Don't say that you are not hap- py!" he said, leaning nearer to her. She tried to smite, but her under- lip quivered and the long lashes swept her cheek. "I have some photographs of Aus- tralian scenery which my brother sent over to me," she said. "Would you like to see them?" He said at once nnd eagerly that he should, and she went' to her room and brought down a small card -board box containing the usual photo- graphs. "Oh, I know most of these places," he saki, as they turned them over together. "That is Wally Ford; and that is Three Stgeams; and that is Digger's Dump; and that—" He broke off and picked up the photo- graph of a tnan, a young and deli- cate -looking man in the ordinary dig- ger's suit. "Why I know that man!" he exclaimed. "That's the man, Ar- thur Burton, who was with Sir Rich- ard's nephew. I forget ths man's name; he was Arthur Burton's— that is, of course, Vancourt's great chum; Vancourt nursed him through ever so many illnesses. I can't re- call his name!" Esther regarded him in silence; her face had grown e little paler. "I wish I could remember," said HarrY Coverdale. "Let me think! It was— No, I can't remember, yes, can! It was Jack Gordon!" Esther did not start, but the color rushed to her face and her hands went in search of the char; for she was startled, greatly startled. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Quite sure," responded Cover- dale. "I knew them both well; I am as sure. as I am of his name, now that I have remembered it." "And yet you are mistaken," she said, very quietly; "that is a portrait of my brother, and he died nearly two years ago.". Harry Coverdale looked at her with eurprise and a gravity that grew intense. Then he careed the photo- graph to a light and examined it closely, and came back and stood be- side her with bent head and pursed lips. After a moment he looked at her and said: "Miss Vancourt, I am one of those. mon who never make a mistake in a face. If this is the portrait of your brother, I saw him alive just after Christmas, and he was in the com- pany, he was the chum of Arthur Burton, that is young Vancourt. 11 was the man who was with him when he was murdered." . Esther sank into a ellen1 and look- ed up at him overwhelmed by won- der and conjecture, "But we heard that my brother died a year before that."' Coverdale shook his head. "I am not mistaken," lee said. "Look at that arm; take 001 magnie feting glass. What is that .on the arrn? It is a tattoo meek. 1 have seen that tattoo mark on the arm of Jack Gordon any numbee of times, I might be misled by a Chance like- ness, but itis tee improbable that your brother should be like tho 111£111 I know, and that 110 should have a tcrttoo mark. I am afraid I startled you -1 am always so sudden 111rievdebrup,t! Pray, petty forgive 11 1 didn't put it there," he sald, al - Most to himself. Dick Reeve Lowered. "No, I didn't put it there," he re- peated in a low voice. "I placed it againet the 8.4 you 81112' 1110," 110 Nii0111, on, with a voidness which start- led Dick Reeve, "and I have not we'll it since. The man to whom it ; belonged meet have carried it away. Why li,i 110 throw it down the well?" Dirk RtioVe Was Mont a moment or two, then he jerked up his head. "I don't know, and I don't care; than; your business, Mr. Layton. What I clue. about is Kate. Are you going' to 1111S112102' aly 41104.1011, bit me wheiller you've found her, or am 1 to walk into the house behind ue here and tell 'on what I 12(221 heard in the Vancourt Woods? Out wi' it. I'm in no mood for more pal- aver. Have you found her, or hav- oft you? If not, I'm going to Lon- don to search for her myself--" I "I have found her," said Selby Layton. Dick Reeve leant forward, his breath coming fast and thickly. "And—and—is she vi' him?" Layton nodded. "She is with the man Gordon—" Dick Reeve uttered a fearful oath and stretched out his closed hand with a ferocious gesture. "I thought it! I knew it!" he Mattered, hoarsely, "I'll follow them; I'll have his heart's blood—" His passion was so great that it choked his utterance for a moment; then,. with a string of oaths, he turn- ed on Selby Layton fiercely. "Curse you! why didn't you come and tell me? What did you keep me waiting for? I've lost time— they'll be off—he'll escape me! Where is he? Where shall I find him? London's a big place—tell 2(10 quick! kill him, if I have to swing for itf" Selby Layton leant his chin In hist hand, and was silent for a moment; then he said, very quietly: "They are living in a street call- ed Chase Street. It is a shoemaker's shop—" "Tell me slowly—here, write it down—curse the darkness. Come to the light!" Selby Layton laid a hand on Reeve's arm. "No, no; stay where you are. Chase Street." He repeated It sev- eral times. "I will tell you how to get there; I will give you the mon- ey for your journey; and I will give you some good advice also, Reeve—" "Curse your advice! But PR take your money. You and me, mister, will have to tette over money matters when I've finished with the man who's took my Kate from me." Layton took some gold from his waietcoat pocket. "Here is some money for your journey and expenses," he said. "As to any further sums, we can arrange as you say. I'm willing to buy those things from you—not because I'm afraid of being charged wTth the murder, but because they are of val- ue to me. I shall give you a couple of hundred pounds for them—not one penny more—" Dick Reeve had risen and was buttoning up his rough coat. "Afterwards — afterward e I" he said, hoarsely, impatiently. "I can't think of anything now but Kate, and the man that's ruined her. The blackehearted scoundrel!" Selby Layton regarded him 11100- 1 ingly. "You want your revenge, Reeve?" he said. Dick Reeve uttered a ferocious oath, "Aye: and I mean to have it, if I go to the gallows for it!" • "Ah," said Layton, smoothly; "that's weak and foolish, instead of going to the gallows, Reeve, why not send this follow Gordon there?" "Eh?" said Reeve, pausing as he was going and looking over Id shoulder at Selby. Selny nodded impressively. follostr,,rtaregs.:ae....„..tman.renrneresnem1amememasmen Letterheads Envelopes Billheads And all kinds of Busineds Stationery printed at The Post PUblishing House, We veil! do a job that will do etedit to your business. Look over yoUr stock of Office Stationety end if it requires replealshing ehl us ber telephone 21. The Post Pehliehing houge "Don't you eee?" he said, in a low velee. "You made a mistake that night, my good fellow, Strange! ('212(212' 4211' Ai0 are not very much alike; he Is taller and broader than I am; but still, at night it 10 easy to 111137 Diek Reeve eame baok to him. "What are, you talking about?" he asked, impatiently. "Who did 1 (12(8- 70(2 for?" "This fellow Gordon!" said $elby Layton. Then he stretched out hie han(1. and laid it on Dirk Reeve's arm and gripped it tightly with each word. "Don't you sec.? Gordon was in the wood that night; Gordon dis- appeared, left Vancourt suddenly and with ecarcely a word to anyone you found his gun in the well—yeti; OVorlatard aila talking to the 8t1'1111'1- 11', but have held your tongue be- muse you yourself WM poaching at the time. You see? You want your revenge, you are ready to risk get- ting hanged for it; take your revenge by hanging him!" Dick Reeve stood and glared, as if the idea were slowly filtering to his brain; then he threw up his head and his black eyes gleamed savagely, "That's good!" he eaid, in a thick whisper. "That's good! You're cut- er than I thought even, mister! Yes; Gordon's the man! I swear I sae him do it! It was him, not you! No; then, where's my Kate? Tell me once More!" .Selby Layton told him how to get to Chase Street. "But hold your tongue about the murder, for the present," he said. "Wait t1,11 I give you the word—fol- low my dtrections and I will give you the sweetest revenge—. Hush! There is someone coming!" He rose as he whspered the cau- tion, and, in a louder voice said: "I am sorry to hear of your dis- tress, my man, and I will see what can be done for you. -Good-night!" After Dick had gone, Layton ro- mained for a minute or two with hie hands pressed to his head. He was in deadly peril, put there wag just the chance that with Dick Reeve's aid he might shift the charge of murder on to Gordon. There would be no necessity to etarge him with it unless the pool were drained and the body found; but if they were., if the crme were brought to light, then Gordon must be sacrificed. Ile went back to the drawing -room. "It was a man from Vancourt- 5 man named Dick Reeve," he said to Lord Fanworth. "The poor fellow is in great trouble et the loss of his sweetheart—You remember the case —the fellow Gordon, you know? I gave him same money to take him to London. He seemed to have some- thing else on his mind -1 could scarcely make out what it was; and he checked himself In the midst of an Incoherent account of something mysterious he had seen; it is evident the poor follow is thrown off his bal- ance by his sweetheart's desertion of him." He said this with a grave air of sympathy whch made a yeey favor- able impression upon the Fanworths; and ,Harry Coverdale wondered If he had mentally done Mr. Selby Lay- ton an injustice. The ant day but ono they went over to the Towers* to dine as had been arranged, and Lord ranworth presented his neph- ew, with an explanation of his sud- den and unexpected arrival and an apology for bringing him to the Towers, Esther was "taken" by the handsome and boyish young fellow —in some strange way he reminded her of Jack Gordon—and Harry Gov- erdale immediately conceived a 11112. ing for the young girl who had so romantically come into the Vancourt property. Before dinner was announced they had become something like friends; and he was wondering why she look- ed so pale and whet the touch of subduedsadness meant in her beauti- ful eyes; he also noticed that no light of love and pride dispelled the melancholy when she looked at or 'spoke to Mr. Selby Layton, the man 'to whom she was engaged, who .hove eyed about them as if he were in- clined to be zealous of her sudden friendship With the young matt Harry Coverdale was very emus - ng during dinner, partly because he could not help it, and partly because he wanted to Make his beautiful young hostess smile; and he sueceed- ed. Esther felt brighter than she had done since—since Jack Gordon had gone. After dialler, when the gentlemen enter6d the drawing -room, Harry Coverdale went atraight to Eether and began to toll her some of his adventures and ekperienees; and presently he brought in Australia. She Wined to hint deeetly With in- creased interest. , "Aeythieg about Anetratia etiteette,",.,She Mid: ',for though I've "There is nothing to forgive," elm said, faintly. Her heart was beating so fast that she could scarcely breathe; it seemed to her that she was on the threshold of some mys- tery. The name Jack Gordon, might only be a coincidence: there inight be hundreds of Zack Gorcions in the world and many in Australia; and yet—, The very soiled Of the name Burton—" had aet every neeve in her body "Can you --can you tell me what Vanconette—Artaltur BUrtorif as for it Mortiertt, . You.ell CompIetely Ln the Dark. All the Moe Yee'le Rertaileg the Ornzt SesLO. TfR, ED LAMP Mary Roberts RI eiza rt. unless ¥011 Are Kew Enough To Solve It As You Go surrog ,ti,17.75lbn "THE POST" IN THE NEAR FUTURE Harry Coverdale stood near her, watching hee gravely and with manly sympathy. "I'll try," he said. "He was tall, six feet, broad -shouldered, but thin and lithe. rather dark than fair, with dark eyes. He had rather an abrupt and short way of speaking, ancl a deep voice; his manner was a little devil-may-careish." Esthet"s breath came faster. "Was there no mark on the face, anything—?" Coverdale thought for a moment. "The only marl: T can remember was a scar on ht.: chest just beneath his neck—What is the matter, Mise Vancourt?" for Esthee had uttered a low cry, too low to attract the at- tention of the others in the room, and had sunk back in her chair as if she had received a shock. "And are you sure that this Arth- ur Burton, whom you describe, was Sir Richard's nephew'?" "I am," he replie.d, gravely. "As I told you, I discovered him by &lance, by borrowing his match -box. There was no reason why he should have lied to me; in fact, Arthur Bur- ton was incapable of lying. Here is the match -box," he took it out of his pocket and held it out to her. Esther took it and looked at the name John Vancourt, scratched on 1.1; then she looleecl up at Rant, Cov- erciale's face with a doubt that was piteous in its intensity. "Will you let me—may I keep this for a little while?" he asked. "I was going to ask you to be so gracious as to accept it, 1Vlies Van - court." he said; "though I value it as a memento of a good fellow who was killed, it must naturally be of deeper interest to you. Please keep it." She thanked Mtn with her eyes; then she put her hand e to her fore- head. "'Who was killed?' " she murmur. ed, in a strained voice, as if she wete bewildered. "Yee," he said, gravely. "Poor fellow ! I little thoue L whes I was buying the claim that I should nev- er see him again, that he would so soon meet such a tragic fate." "Yes—of course—he was killed," murmured Esther, as if she scarcely knew what siee was saying. "And my brother was with him? 011, I cannot think, my brain is in a whirl!" She rose, then dropped back again, Coverdale was very much distress- ed by her emotion. "I am so sorry," he murmured, in a low voice. "Of course 1 Call see what is agitating you—the thought that your 'brother may still be" alive." Esther looked et hitt with eyes that bacl almost a wild expression 111 them. "No—I dori't lenowl I cannot think—cannot see my way. It is all dark and confueing and bewilder- ing." She looleecl up at him sud- denly. "You are staying at Fan- Worth—you are not going yet?" "I was going to -morrow," he said; "but there is no particular reason why I should, and I will stay. If I ecin be of any use to you, if 1 UM answer any questions, if there is anything I eat do for you, however slight, you will send for me, 1Viiss Vancourt? No, I will not wait for that—I will come ovee to -morrow; perhaps by that time you tnay have thought of some questions you would like to ask 111e; and meanwhile I will try and remember everything I can about your brother and Arthue "You mean Jack Gordon?" said poor Esther, confusedly. Ile belted at her, biraself confused etattd IltryisW—laah liket" the "No; that Wan yeter hrotheee tta- aetged weeee Aegtee, ,gtee-t„ At that moment Lord Fanworth came over to them to ask her to beg a eong of Mr. Selby Layton. She went to Selby Layton, who was standing talking to Lady Fanwoeth,. but who had been watching htt.ther mid ( l'l'S'I',!11 04.0<ly, "Will you sing?" she asked, and , /Kir Wad eonetrained and el - "Certainly, dearest," he lag...pond- ed "but—are you ill, faint? You look quite white!" ''Ni,, no; it is nothing!" she 6attl. I "Please eo and sing." When he had gone to the pinao !lie went to the window, and open- ing it, drew a breath of the noel night all.; and it brought her -strength with whieh to vanquieh tile faint - W161.11 had aesailed her. Aftei. Selpy Layton had Alm7 his song, the Fanworthe' carriage was . n nie n red, together with the dog, eart in whieli Selby Layton and Hap. ! ry roverciale had driven over. De- rol'e Icaving, Selby Layton endeavor- ed to got a few minutes tdone with Esther; but she eluded him in the - subtle way in which women --even the most gulileless of them—are so preficieut. But just CS the party was going she left Harry Coverdalete Ade and went up to Selby Layton as he was putting on hie overeoat. "What is the address at which you say you saw Kate Transom?". she iHad ber lo.other been alive who:ea Arthur Burton died? If so, whore i 110? Why had lie not Cdale ±01'- 11 1(1', and gven a full account of :trthur Iturtee'e death? How Wel ienne nass that her brother and foreman horn 1 h,• 312,211'' 1141110, Jack the man -wile beef :tenet at, Mart 111'.' Gordon? HoW it that Harry Coverdalels de.,eripl ion uf John Yen-- coure exeetly with that of the Jack Gordon whom elle knew, the man wile hail Aida hoart nrol kissed her, the man who had eeene oil with Kat.. Tramenn? Suelt an involved problem would have been too muell for a eater mid 'keener brain than Eether'e; it kept lee- (gee- ing to and fro in iler 1,1,1, and 12111-5 with her when she went 'hex?, to lir...Artist ihe rola morning, pale and harrussed-lookiWr. S11b-1.141y she snid to M12i ine'Vrci..;;I:e, W110 212114 cackling over last nicht's dimel..partYi nverylontly's 141 travagant fashion: "Aunt, 1 e711i1 I have to ;so up to London to -5!12y 1 Vail you be runty la time 'to mar+ the ten -thirty train?" dear Esther." oxehtimed Miss Worcester, il1i01113111g her thee:, and etaring at Esther's pale face; hut Esther broke in upon any expression,s of 14u1'prti3o and possible questions. "I have to go up on business, aunt, unexpectedly. We will put up at one of the bete's: I shall not need to be away for longer than one y0uE:night."osint±i:ict: 0 glif ror 0$1 ewB, my dear Esther, if ut does Selby know?" ned slightly; she had almost forgotten the man to whom she was engaged. "Scarcely," she replied, "seeing that I myself have only • known it within the last few minutes. I ant sorry to hurry you, auntie, dear; but we shall have eto be quick. I must catch' that train." As they were getting into the brougham, attended by Palmer and quite a bevy of servants, Esther teemed to Palmer and saicl: "If Mr. Coverdale should come over US -day, please tell him that I DR. WARDLAW have had to go to London on bus- rInooinuogre.gradnete of the Ontario Veterinary Day and night calla. Office oppoeite ness, and that I hope I shall see him Wi°"14211,11t}"li before he leaves Fanworth." "And what message are you going to leaye for dear Selby?" whispered Miss Worcester, with a simper; but Esther affected not to hear the sen- . Seiby Layton paused with one arm in his coat, and turned hi$ face to her with a look of surprse, and wtth the peculiar twist of his lips. "No 16 Chase Street, East," he said, "But why do you ask, dear- est?" "I thought that I sleould like to know," she said, gravely. "Let me beg you not to worry yourself about—about the girl," he murmured. "She is not worth a thought of yours. Good -night, my beloved." She responded to his fervent adieu with a grave "Good -night!" and when the carriages had driven away she went on to the terrace and paced up and down, her brows knit, and sometimes with her hand to her fore head. The night was not too warm, but she felt burning hot; for her brain was tortured by the problem which Harry Coverdale's connnunica- don had set her. 1.111.0.0ows.....00.0.../p/Mer thnental suggestion, and the broug- ham drove efie (To Ile Continued). His Appearance A profeecdonal Auger was la tt motor ear aceident the other day. A newspaper after recording the acrielent, 11(1210(11 are happy to state that he was abh, to appear in four pieces the following' evehhig." BUSINESS CARDS H 1ndetrial Mortgage and n SavIngs Company, of Sarnia Onthria, are iirlipsriiri in advanon moony, on idortesgin, (1 10(1,34 (45' 5n.iiring mini,: nu &mu nn.rtgaces 1204 plink, itimiy to .laiot. .ealorth. Ont., ivho will fur 111.1 two rartioidurs, 'Tho Indite -tried Moregrspro and Savings Company iti./64g2N 4.14,0<yr AGENT FOR fire, Automobile and Mimi ina, .dbmpANIEs For Brusseta and vicinity Phone 647 JAMES M'FADZEAN Agent Hoick Mutual Fire Insurance Company Also Hartford Windstorm and Tornado Insurance Phone da Box 1 Turnberry Street, Brussels NO. SUTHERLAND 84 SONS LiMITED MASTANdirC etXTArato D. M. SOOTT Ziaxxson .tuerzeavsze PRICES MODERATE ?or references consult any pinion who,,e sales I have ofholated at. Phone 2828 T. T. IW RAE �L a., M. 0. R., .0 S. 0. hi. 0. 11., Village of Sri:meld. Physician, Surgeon, Accouoheur Oflice at residence, opposite Ileh Me Church. William s(reet. Tr. tiff. fitratzetz BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, CONVEYANCER, NOTARY PUBLIC LECKIE BLOCK - BRUSSELS 1(71,r),VLAnin 4 5MITANift4: ou all?, ewe Have you, Mr. Business Man, the time to get out and call on all of your customers and prospective customers each week ? If you could do so, it would be a fine thing for you and for your business. The next best thing to a personal call from you is to send out your business message each week in THE POST, which covers the local com- munity and will carry your message to old friends and new friends, alike. Advertising in THE POST is an economical, efficient way to reach the people in your trade territory and let them know of the b.uying opportun- ities offered in your business:estab- lishment. .V.VISLIM6•2162111.1.1111.3p11011111.11. THE BRUSSELS POST tete