Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 211, 13 September 1908 — Page 7

fAGESEVEXt S333 ffe KING V $ DIAMOND Author of "Wing's of the Morning," "The Pillar of 1 ? COPYRIGHf. 1904. By EDWARD J. CLODE. ves-XiS .LA - i

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUi-TELKRKAJI. STTXTJAT, SEPTEMBER 13. 1D08-

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Gripping tha reader fast with its tale of the astounding transformation, in one day, of a ragged London waif into the possessor of incalculable wealth, thin story by Louis Tracy measures up fully to the standard of this romancer's other popular tales. In the unfolding of the story lie depicts not merely the change in the' hero's material j circumstances, but the interesting ' development 1 of his, character. The stirring adventures in which Philip Anson became embroilec by reason of . his ..suddenly acquired riches, literally sent to' him from heaven, his loyalty to

the girl friend ' of his childhood and his manly efforts to win her love, are among the many elsments of a plot which is developed with Mr. Tracy's well known skill. .

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CIIAPTEIt I.

S there no hope, doctor?"

"Absolutely none now. "If she had gone to the the workhouse infirmary would she

have lived?" - The doctor pausd. The gulp before that hateful word was not lost on him. lie tried professional severity and bestowed some caro on the buttoning of a glove. "I am surprised," he said, "that an excellent woman like your mother should encourage your feelings of er repugnance toward er Confound it, boy, have you no relatives or friends?" "No, sir. We are alone In the world." -And hard up, eh?" The boy dug a hand into a pocket with the stolid indifference of despair, lie produced 2 shillings and some pennies, lie picked out the silver, and the man reddened in protest Don't be stupid, Philip. That is your name, is it not? When I want my fee I will ask for it Your mother needs a nurse, wine, chicken broth. Yon are old enough to realize that a doctor practicing in a neighborhood like this might want such things himself and whistle for them. But in the -er Infirmary they are provided by the state." "Would my mother hare lived had Eh'cj consented to be taken there a As&in the man wondered at the stony persistence of the questioner, a fear-, less looking, active boy of fifteen, attired in worn clothes too small for him and wearing an old pair of boots several sizes too large. The strpng, young face, pinched with vigils and privations; the large, earnest eyes, heavy with unshed tears; the Hps, quivering in their resolute compression over a chin that indicated great strength of character, appealed far more to the doctor than the whimpering terror.with which the children of the poor usually meet the grim vision of death. The wrestle with the glove ceased, and a kindly hand rested on rhlllp'a shoulder. "Xo.v earr.e the quiet answer. "May God help you, sho would not have lived." "God does not help anybody," was the amazing retort. The doctor was shocked, visibly so. "That is a foolish and wicked statement," he said sternly. 'Do not let your mother hear such awful words. Bhe has lived and will die a true Christian. I have never met a woman of greater natural charm and real piety. She has suffered so much that she nerits the life eternal. It is a reward, not a punishment. Cast away these terrible thoughts. Go, rather, and kneel by her side In prayer." , . ... For an Instant the great brown eyes blazed fiercely at hirn. . "Am I to pray that my mother shall be taken from me?" "Even that if it be God's will." f The gleam of passion yielded to utter helplessness. The boy again brought forth his tiny store of money. "Surely," he said, "I can buy some small amount of wine. In the shops

they sell things in tins that make chick- j en broth, don't they? I have a Are and

a kettle. Would you mind telling me" "There, there! You go to your mother and endeavor to cheer her up. I will see what I can do. What! Would you argua with me? Go at once. I Insist , Listen. Bhe is calling for you." In that poor tenement there were no secret. A rickety staircase, crudely built against ilie retaining wall of the only living room on the ground floor, led steeply to an apartment above and culminated in an opening that suggested a trapdoor. The walls, roughly paneled, were well provided wrth helves i - ' . The back door was fastened -.rh a latch, a contrivance rarely stMn in the London of today. The front window looked out Into a badly paved court girt by tumbledown tables. A smarter window at the back revealed a dismal yard darkened by lofty walls. Although little more than a stone's throw removed from the busy Mile End road, the place was singular ly quiet. It was already dead and oor waited the coming of men with pickaxes and crowbars to sweep away the ruins. The boy heard bis name whispered rather than spoken. .The sound galvanized him into consciousness. "Doctor, he said earnestly, "you will comeback?"' - "Yes, yes; within half an hour. Tell your mother to expect me." , Philip rao up. the stairs. Long practice had enabled him to move with a minimum of noise. It was pitiful to ee the manner In which he emerged, with stealthy activity, into the creaking loft above. Ilere at first glance thefe was an astonishing degree of comfort. Odd pieces of worn carpet neatly, joined, covered tha Ha or. The

of the dwelling, were curtained. The whitewashed walls we'-1 almost hidden by cuttings from tL colored periodicals published during the previous Christinas season. A screen divided the room into two compartments, each containing a tiny bed. On one of these, propped up with pillows, lay the wsrsted figure of a woman, over whose face the shadows were falling fast. The extreme thinness, the waxen pallor, tha delicate texture of debilitated skin and unnatural brilliancy of the eyes gave her a remarkably youthful appearance. This fantastic trick of death. lu life accentuated the resemblance between mother and son. The boy, too, was sharply outlined by hunger, and In the fading liirht of a March day the difference between the dread tokens of approaching collapse and the transient effects of a scanty regimen on a vigorous "youth was not readily distinguishable. "Do you want anything, mother dear?" said the boy, laying his hand tenderly on the clamrt.y forehead. "Only to ask you, rial, what it was that the doctor told you." The voice was low and sweet, the diction that of an education woman. The boy, too, though his tones were strong and harsh, spoke with the accent of good breeding. His manner and words gained some distinction from a slight touch of French elegance and precision. This was only noticeable in repose. When excited or moved to rVeop feeling, the continental veneer acquired at the Lycee In Dieppe instantly vanished, and he became the strenuous, emphatic Briton he undoubtedly was by birth and breeding. "He said, dearest, that what you wanted was some good wine nice things to eat. He is an awfully line chap, and I am afraid I was rude to him, but he didn't seem to mind it a bit, and he is coming back soon with chicken broth and port wine, and I don't know what." His brave words were well meant, but the mother's heart understood him too well to be deceived. A- thin hand caught his wrist and feebly drew him nearer. ' "You say you were rude to him, Ihil? How can that be possible? What did you say or do to warrant such a description ?" He hesitated for a moment With rare self control in one so young he fiercely determined not to communicate his own despair to his mother. So he laughed gently. "We are so jolly hard up, you know, and it sounded strange In my ears to talk about expensive luxuries which I could not buy. He has often told us, dear, that you would be better cared for in the infirmary. I am afraid now be was right, only we couldn't bearto be parted. Could we, mother?" Not all his valor could control his tremulous lips. A beautiful smile illumined the face of the invalid. "So you are trying to hoodwink me, Phil, for the first time. I know what the doctor said. He told you that I could not recover and that I had not long to live; in a word, that I am dying." Then the boy gave way utterly. He flung himself down by the side of the bed and buried his face in the coverlet "Oh, mother, mother!" he wailed, and his passionate sobs burst forth with alarming vehemence. The poor woman vainly strove to soothe him. She could not move, being paralyzed, but her fingers twined gently in his hair, and she gasped brokenly : 'Thil, darling, don't make it harder for me. Oh, calm yourself, my dear one, if only for my sake. I have so much to say to you and perhaps so little time! Be strong, Philip. Be strong and brave, and all will be well with

you. I know you will miss me. We j

have been all in all to each other since your father's death. But my memory must be sweet, not bitter to you. When you think of me I want the recollection to Inspire you to do that which is right regardless of consequences, to strive always for honor and for the approbation of your own conscience. My own dear boy, we must bow to the will of God. We have indeed been sorely tried, you far more than I. for I can look back on years of perfect happiness with a loving husband and a delightful child, whereas you have been plunged into poverty and misery at an age when life should be opening before you with every promise of a successful career. Perhaps, rhil. your trials have come to jou earir.a3 jiJtie b.-c .found me late I tmrt l nave oorne reverses or nuurni and fortune with patience and resignation. My present sufferings will be a lasting joy to me if in the life to

come I can know that my example has ! been a stimulus to you amid the j chances and changes of your career. ' Promise me, darling, that you will re- j sign yourself to the decrees of Provi- j dence even in the bitter hour of our j parting." j Fler voice failed. Tears stood In her

eyes. The knowledge came to her anew that natural emotions Can at times conquer all restraints. The maternity strong within her clamored for the power to shield her offspring from the dangers that would beset him. There was a maddening pain in the thought that a few brief hours or minutes might unclasp her arms from him forever. It was Thil who first gave utterance to the wild protest In their souls. "Mother," he mourned bitterly, "I don't want to live without you. Let us die together. If you cannot stay with me, then I swear" But a scream of terror, so shrill and vehement that it seemed to be almost miraculous from so frail a form, froze ; the vow on his lips. "Phil, what are you saying? Oh, my son, ray son, do not break my heart before I die. Kiss me, dearest. I am cold. I can scarce see iou. Come

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5HE FALL '08 will soon be full under way. Your thoughts will drift to the needs of the little

one, for the school days are here, and it is high time they were ready. A new pair of shoes, suit, cap, or if it is a girl to be rigged out, it will be a nice school hat, worsted or gingham

dress, or shoes. Isn't the selection and purchase of the school day wants a simple and enjoyable matter when you can go direct to the Hoosier, where you find everything you need; where you find it a little below any other stores price?

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THE best dreSsed boys are always at the head of the class. It gives them setf-respect. You can dress the boys well if you bring them to the Hoosier. WE HAVE NO FANCY PRICES. Boys' School Suits, sxtl a:scs, at smd $5.SO Boys1 Knee Paints at 25c, 50c and 75c Boys1 (Daps at 25cf 39c and 50c

GINGHAM and WORSTED Dress Goods, such as you will need for the girls school dresses, at 10c and 12 l-2c per yard. A nice fancy check or plaid. Cotton worsted dress goods at 12 I-2c. 15c, 18c and 25c yd.

See the School HHsvts

Wc Save You Money On School Shoes Girls School Shoes at 98c, $1.25, $1.50 in the best of Dongjla Kid Boys' Satin Calf Shoes at $1.25 Boys' Dongola Kid Shoes at $1.50, $1.69, $3.93

Irl9 BhDl Ma,ts

nearer. ,Tjet njft."iv once morevinro your brave eyes. You will be a great man, Phil. I know it. 'Who should know your character like your mother? But you must have faith in God always. I have prayed for you, and my prayers will surely be granted. I will watch over you. If you are in danger, my spirit will come back to you across the void. We cannot be ported. Oh. God. It is impossible! You are the lif of my life. I am not dead while you still lire." Ever, as she spoke her left hand and arm, hitherto untouched by the cruel blight which had made her a helpless Invalid during many weary months, became numb and rigid. She was dying now, not with the struggle against the king of terrors which often marks the passing of humanity, but with a slow torpidity more akin to sleep. Her brain was clear, but the stock of nervous force had sunk so low that her few remaining words were spoken with difficulty. They were mostly endearing expressions, appeals to her lovetl one to hope and pray, to trust steadfastly in the all wise power that would direct his destiny. With the last flicker of existence the maternal instinct became dominant again, and she asked him not to forget her. The boy could only murmur agonized appeals to the merciless unseen not to rob him of the only being he held dear on earth, but even in that awful moment he had the strength to cease his frantic protests when hey seemed to cause her pain, and he forced himself to join her in prayer. When the doctor brought a nurse and some small store of the much needed delicacies Mrs. Anson was already unconscious. The boy, aroused from frenzy by the steps on the stairs, shrieked incoherently: "I have killed my mother. See! She is dead. I killed her. I made her cry. You told me to look after her until you returned. She cried and screamed because I spoke so wildly. It is all my fault. I" "Hush! Your mother is not dead, but dying. Not all the skill of man can save her. Let her die in peace." Xo other words could have checked the wild torrent of lament that surged from that wounded heart So she still lived. There remained a faint flicker of life. Not yet bad she passed the dreadful barrier of eternity. Through Lis blinding tears he thought he could discern a smile on the worn face. The doctor watched Fhll more narrowly than the sunken frame on the bed. It was best that the paroxysm of grief should go untrammeled. The nurse, a young woman unused as yet to the lntTitableness of death, moved timidly toward the windows and adjusted the curtains to admit more light. At last when Phil's strength yielded to the strainof his .sorrow and the very force of his agony had spent itHlf the. doctor, leaned over the loaoi-

matti'urm ahu'iOTKevrmr) ttra t;e. "It has ended, l'hil," he whispered. "Your mother is in heaven!" In heaven! What a tocsin of woe in a message of faith! The boy suddenly stood up. Hope was murdered within him. His tears ceased, and his labored breathing came under control with a mighty effort. He stooped and kissed the pale cheeks twice. "Goodby, mother," he said, and the dull pain in his voice was so heartrending that the nurse's sympathies mastered her. She burst out crying. Professional instinct came to the doctor's aid. He sharply reprimanded the half hysterical woman and sent her off on an errand to bring those whose duty it is to render the last services to frail mortality. The boy he led downstairs. He was a busy man, with many claims on his time, but this strange youngster interested him, and he resolved to turn the boy's thoughts forcibly away from the all absorbing horror of his mother's death. "Have you a tumbler or a cup?" he said sharply. Fhll handed him a tumbler. The doctor poured out some wine taken from the nurse's basket, soaked a piece of bread in the liquor and gave it to the boy with an imperative command to eat it instantly. Somewhat to his surprise, he was obeyed. While Thil was devouring the food of which he stood so greatly in need the doctor reviewed the circumstances of this poverty stricken household so far as they were known to him. Mr. and Mra. Anson had occupied a fairly good position in Dieppe, where Thilip's father was the agent of an old established Lon.lon firm of coal shipi)cxs. About two jcars earlier both CQsMhrT and vVir? weT SCTTonsiy Injured in a motor car accident. Mr. Anson sustained concussion of the brain and practically never regained his senses, though he lingered for some weeks and was subjected to two operation!. Mrs. Anson's spine was damaged, with the result that she changed from a bright and vigorous woman into a decrepit invalid doomed to early death from slow paralysis. When the great expenses attendant cn these mishaps were paid she found herself not only absolutely poor, but rendered incapable of the slightest effort to turn her many and varied talents to account in order to earn a livelihood. She came to London, where her late husband's employers generously gaTe her rent free possession of the tenement in which she was lying dead, helped her with funds to fnrnisli it modestly and found a clerkship foT Thilip with a promise of early promo tion. . . But the cup of sorrow is seldom lef' half filled. Barely had the widow ser tied down to a hopeful struggle on be half of her beloved son than a qnarr between partners led to the sale of th firm's tjasJnesa ,to. a .limited liibiiiti

confpany. "Economies "were effected to make way for salaried directors. Philip was dismissed, with several other junior employees, and the stable yard was marked out as a suitable site for the storage of coal required by the local factories. This development took place early in the new year, and the new company allowed Mrs. Anson to occupy her tiny abode until the last day of March. It was now March 5, and how the widow and her son had lived during the past two months the doctor could only guess from the gradual depletion of their little store of furniture. It was odd that such an Intelligent and well bred woman should be so completely shut off from the rest of the world, and his first question to Thil sought to determine this mystery. "Surely," he said, "there is some one to whom you can appeal for help. Your father and mother must have had some relatives, even distant cousins, and if they are written to a friendly hand may be forthcoming." Philip 6hook his head. The mere taste of food had provoked a ravenous appetite. He could not eat fast enough. The doctor stayed him. "Better wait a couple of hours, rhil, and then you can tackle a hearty meal. Thafs the thing. I like to see such prompt obedience, but you certainly have wonderful self control for one so young. I may tell you, to relieve present anxieties, that a few employees of your father's firm have guaranteed the expenses of your mother's funeral, and they also gave me a sovereign to tide you over the next few days." Funeral! The word struck with sledge hammer force. Thil had not thought of that. He remembered the dismal pomp of such events in this squalid locality, the loud sobbing of women, the hard faced agony of men, the frightened cariosity of children. His mother, so dear, so tender, so soft Cheeked the bright, beautiful, laughing woman of their life in Dieppe to be taken away from him forever and permitted to fade slowly Into nothingness In some dreadful place, hidden from the sunshine and the flowers she lovol! For the first time he understood death. When his father was killed, his mother was left. Anxious tending on her dispelled the horror of the greater tragedy. Now all was lost The tears that he hated were welling forth again, and be savagely bit his lip. "You have been very good to us. doctor," he forced himself to say. "If ever I can repay you" "There, there, not a word! Bless my soul, yours is a difficult case." Again the doctor tackled his glove. He glanced at his watch. "Four o'clock. I am an hour late on my rounds. No, Phil. Don't go upstairs. There are some women coming. Wait until they have tended your mother. And one last -wordy It will do you no good to keep rigil by her side. .BestitJUik of.he.r as living, not

dead. 'You will be graterui toT wy'ffdvlce in after life." The women arrived, coarse but kindly hearted creatures. One of them gave the boy a packet of letters. "I found 'em under the dear lydy's pillow," she said. Neither poverty nor death robled Mrs. Anson of the respect paid to her by all who came In contact with her. He sat down, untied a string which bound the letters together and looked at the address on the first envelope. It bore his mother's name and a recent postmark. Wondering dolefully what correspondence she could have had during these later months that demanded such careful preservation, ho took out the letter. Suddenly he hesitated. Perhaps these documents alluded to something which his mother did not wlf-h him to know. For an Instant his Iupulse was to consign the packet to the fire. No; that might be wrong. He would glance at their general purport and then commit them to the names if be thought fit. The letter in his hand was headed, "The Hall, Beltham. Devon," and dated about a month earlier. It read: Penr Madam I am requested by Sir Philip Morland to 8itk you not to trouble him with further correspondence. This is the fourth time I have been desired by him to write in these term, bo pirate note that your letters will In future remain unanswered. Tours truly. LOCISA MOHUXD. The curt incivility of the note bro'' t an angry flush to the boy's face. Who was Sir Philip Morland that he should dare to offer this Insult to a lady! Evidently a relative, and a near one, frir Morland was his moth er's name, and his own Christian name euegested a family connection. Yet she had never ppoken of any such person. Three other letters of preceding dates showed that "Louisa Morland" kept accurate reckoning. There were half a dozen more, from a firm of solicitors. Rome of these "were" merely formal" a kiowtedgmenta of letters received and forwarded, but one stated that they "were instructed by Lady Morland to inform Mrs. Anson that Sir Philip Morland declined either to see or hear from her." That was all. FbllSp sprang up with face aflame. He was alone in the house now, alone with his dead mother. He went upstairs, with the letters crushed in his right hand as though be would choke a reptile which had stung the only being he loved. He bent over the shrunken form, so placid, so resigned, so angelic In the peace of death, and his hot tears fell unchecked. "You poor darling r he murmured. "1 believe you humbled yourself evtn to beg from these people for my sake. What can I do to show my love for your

(Continued.) Ofhtlia: Gold Medal Flour is nourishing1.

ACCOUNTANTS TO HOLD CONFERENCE Will Meet at Atlantic City and Discuss Matters of Interest to Their Work.

FOREIGNERS TO ATTEND.

EXPECTATIONS ARE FOR LARGE CROWD AS MANY MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE WILL BE TALKEP ABOUT. New York, Sept 12. Tho twentyfirst aniversary of the establishment in the United States of a professional organization for the public accountants, the American Association of Public Accountants will be-"celeb rated this year by the annual convention of tho association at Atlantic City, October LTt, 21 and 22. The principal societies of public accountants in Great Britain and Canada have accepted invitations to send delegates. Definite acceptances have Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, William Plender, F. C. A., member of the council, delegate; Society of Accountants and Auditors, England, Harry Lloyd Price, F. S. S. A., president of the society, delegate, to be accompanied by wife and daughter; Society of Accouatanta in Edinburg. Richard Brown, C. A secretary, delegate. The sessions of the convention will be held in the Marlborough Blenheim hotel. Among those who will address the convention Is Professor Henry C Adams, in charge of statistics and to counts, interstate comm?rce commisEion, who will read a paper entitled "Railroad Accounting In Relation to the 20th Section of the Act to Regulate Commerce." The annual banquet will be held on Thursday evening, October 22. The conference of the various state boards of examiners of public accounts will be held Monday, October 19.

Th.ffmuiMOTLIft. Infests asd children are eoasuotty SMdhr xatrre. It ! importaat to now what to theu. Their K-sicb mad btmta arc not wtroax eaoaxta for aatta. porrathra watar or catbaroc pills, powders or tabkifs . Istm tham a a; fid, pieasant. g-entla, laxatrva tonic Ska Or. CakV U'a 6m Pepata, irbJch aaQs at tba sets". ittm of 50 cents or Si at drnr stores. It Is tho

one great remedy for yon to have la bs bcttfc to