Fletcher RoDmsort
MR CORAN'S ELECTION
(Continued.)
"My brother refuses the movement
his support." she said In a loud, arm
voice. "My reply to him Is torturer,
Inquisitor. What are your views on
the subjectr
"The same, my dear madam, as your
own," said the disgraceful little" hypo
crite. "How does the cause progress
In Brendon?"
'1 trust that in a few weeks our local
branch will have been placed on such
a basis as to be a model to the whole
Boclety."
"Aunt Is rather a crank on antl
vivisection," whispered Miss Emily In
my ear. "Do be careful. If she tackles
you about It"
I laughed, and the subject changed
between us.
After the ladies left, Coran began a
Cloomy autobiography. Ills family, he
aid, had been living In the north of
England at the time of the London es
capade. No account of the affair,
which appeared In only one paper,
had reached them. He had left for
Sheffield shortly afterwards, and It
was not until ten years later that the
death of his father had given him a
couple of thousand pounds, with
which he bought a share In his pres
ent business, which had greatly pros
pered. Concerning Thomas Appleton, the
young man whom he suspected, he
spoke most bitterly. He .was, Indeed,
In the middle of his denunciations
when Peace slipped from his chair
and moved softly to the window.
With a swift jerk he drew the blind
aside and stared out. From where 1
sat I could see an empty stretch of
lawn with shrubs beyond showing
darkly In the summer twilight
"A lovely evening," he said over his
shoulder.
We both watched him In surprise as
he dropped the blind and walked back
to his seat, stopping on his way to pat
the terrier that lay on a mat by the
window.
"Is there anything the matter?"
' asked Coran.
"If we are to keep our business here
a secret you must not talk too loud
that Is all."
"I don't understand you."
"One of your household was listen
Ing at the window."
"Do you mean to tell me that I am
spied upon by my own people 7" cried
Coran, angrily. "What gave you such
an Idea?" . -"The
dog there."
"Absurd!"
"Not at all, Mr. Coran. From where
he lay be could look under the lower
edge of the blind, which was not
drawn completely down. He raised
his ears; some one approached; he
wagged his stall, it was a friend with
-whom he was well acquainted. If It
had been a stranger he would have
run barking to the window. It Is sim
ple enough, surely." .
"Did you see who it was?" asked our
host, with a sudden change of manner.
"No," said the little man. "But 1
think this conversation unwise. Shall
we Join the ladles In the drawing
room?"
Peace was In his most entertaining
iqpod that night Poor Emily, who
was sitting by the French windows,
staring sadly out Into the gathering
shadows, was led to the piano, where
she recalled ber forbidden lover In
sentimental ditties. He engaged Miss
Rebecca in an argument on the local
control of licensed premises, which
gave that worthy old lady an oppor
tunity for genuine oratory. Even our
melancholy host was drawn out of his
miseries by a reference to the water
upply.
When ten o'clock came, and the
ladles were led away under Miss Re
becca's wing they keep early hours
In Brendon I shook the inspector by
the band In sincere admiration. It
had been a really smart performance,
and I told him so. .
The little man did not respond, in
, stead, be drew us together in a corner
and Issued his orders with sharp pre
cision. "Mr. Coran, at fifteen minutes to
eleven yon will leave the house by the
drawing room windows and place the
envelope you have prepared In the
locker of the summer bouse. When
you return do not fasten the catch, for
I may wish to enter during the night.
Walk upstairs to your bed and get to
aleop It you can. Mr. Phillips, you
will go to your room and stay there.
The window overlooks the garden. If
you want to keep watch for I do not
suppose you can resist that temptation
see that your head Is well out ol
eight When Mr. Coran .leaves the
house, listen at your door, ir you
hear anyone moving, go and find out
who it may be. You understand?"
"Yes," I answered. "But what are
you going to do?"
"Discover a suitable place from
which I can keep an eye on the sum
mer house. Good night to you."
When I reached my room, I took off
my coat, placed a chair some six feet
back from the open window, so that
the rising moon should not show my
race to any watchers In the laurels,
and so waited events.
It was a soft summer night, such as
only temperate England knows. There
was not a breath of wind; a perfume
of Dowers crept in from the garden:
every leaf stood black and still In the
silvery light I beard the clock chime
three-quarters of an hour In some
room beneath me. The last stroke had
barely shivered Into silence when I
saw Coran appear upon the ' lawn,
walking towards the summer house,
the outlines of which I could distin
guish amongst the heavier shadows of
the trees by which It was surrounded.
I remembered my orders, and ; crept
softly to the door, which 1 had left
ajar. The minutes slipped by without
a sound, and presently I began to won
der why Coran had not returned. His
room was not far from mine. I must
have lieard his foot upon the stairs.
He had disobeyed his orders, that was
evident. However, It was not my af
fair, and I crept back to my point of
observation.
Twelve! I heard the clock tap out
the news from the room below. I was
nodding in my chair, barely awake.
After ail, it was a trivial matter, this
trumpery blackmail. Half an hour
more, thought I, pulling out my watch,
and I will get to bed.
The affair was becoming extremely
monotonous. I dared not light a cig
arette, for I felt certain that Peace
would notice the glow from outside,
and that I should hear of It in the
morning. Ten minutes, a quarter of
an hour what was that moving under
the trees by the edge of the drive? it
was a man two men. I crouched for
ward with every nerve In me suddenly
awakened.
They were a good thirty yards
apart, the one following the other with
stealthy strides not the sort of walk
with which honest men go about hon
est business. -
When the leader came to the path
which led towards the summer house
he turned down It, leaving the drive to
nis rignt He avoided the gravel,
keeping to the silent turf which
fringed It. His companion followed
him step by step.
It was a curious spectacle, these
slow-moving shadows that drifted for
ward through the night, now almost
obscured beneath the branches, now
showing In black silhouette against a
patch of moonlight
As the first man melted amongst
the trees about the summer house, the
other moved forward swiftly for a
score of steps and then halted for a
moment, crouching behind a clump ot
laurel. Suddenly he sprang up again
and ran straight forward, cutting a
corner across the lower edge ot the
lawn.
Peace had told me to remain In the
house. But Peace had never expected
two men; I was sure of that I crept
down the etalrs, out through the
French windows of the drawing room,
and so across the lawn to the trees
about the summer bouse.
There was no shouting, but I could
hear the faint tramping of a scuffle
and the thud of falling bodies. Then
all was still again.
As I passed through them I saw a
little group standing in whispered con.
versatlon. They turned sharply upon
me. One was a stranger, but his com
panions were Peace and, to my vast
surprise, old Coran himself.
"Well, Mr. Phillips," said the detec
tive, "and what do you want?"
"I thought" I began. ,
"Oh, you've been thinking, too, have
you," he snapped. "Here Is a young
man who was thinking he would like
to look at this extremely commonplace
summer nouse; nere is Mr. Coran who
was thinking he might help me by
lurking about his garden Instead of
going to bed; and here are you with
heaven knows what Ideas In your
head. Perhaps you and Mr. Coran will
do what you are told another time."
"I saw two men," I explained hum
bly. "I was afraid they might get the
better of you. How was I to know
that It was Mr. Coran who had diso
beyed orders?"
"You are both pleased to be humor
ous," said our host, and I could see he
was trembling with rage. "But the
fact remains that I caught this young
man entering the summer house for
a purpose we can well Imagine. In
spector Addlngton Peace, I charge
this person, Thomas Appleton, with
blackmail." - -
"Can you explain your presence,
Mr. Appleton?" asked the detective,
kindly.
He did not look a criminal, for he
stood very straight and square, re
garding the three ot us with an
amused smile.
"Of course, I had no right to be
here," he said. "Though why I should
find a detective waiting to arrest me
Tor blackmail, or why Mr. Coran
snouid spring upon my back and roll
me over, I cannot Imagine."
"This is much as I expected,"
snarled his accuser. "Effrontery and
Impudence are. ever the associates ot
crime. Inspector, you will oblige me
by producing the handcuffs."
"I should like a word In private, Mr.
Coran."
They walked off together, leaving
me alone with Mr. Thomas Appleton,
who offered a cigarette.
"Has there been an epidemic ot
lunacy In the neighborhood?" he in
quired politely.
"No," I said, laughing in spite ot
myself. "But how, in heaven's name,
do you explain your visit to the sum
mer house at this hour of the night?"
"I am afraid I must decline to an
swer you," be said, and quietly turned
the subject.
Coran returned, with a face of vin
dictive Indecision. Under his veil of
austerity there had smouldered a dan
gerous temper, which was close upon
bursting Into flame. But, after all, he
had excuse enough. Heaven alone
knew what baulked ambition, what
treacherous Insults he had come to
associate with this young man. The
same passions actuate humanity,
whether they view the world from one
(-end of the telescope or the other.
"I have decided to waive your ar
rest for the present," he growled.
"It would certainly create a great
scandal In Brendon," said Appleton,
firmly.
"You count on that, do you?" cried
the elder man. "You think you have
a hold upon me, that I am afraid of
you. Take care, sir, take care."
"You choose to be mysterious, Mr.
Coran. I have no hold on you. . But
I should think twice if I were you be
fore arresting an innocent man."
"Innocent I What were you doing
here?"
"That Is my business."
Coran turned away, wringing his
bands together In his odd manner
when greatly excited.
"Go," he snarled over his shoulder.
"Go, before I strangle you."
As I dropped off to sleep half an
hour later I was still wondering why
Peace had refused a bed, remaining
DOLL-MAKING AN INDIAN ART
Marvelous Miniatures Are Those
Turned Out by Clever Aborig
ines of Mexico.
It Is thought that the tiniest dolls
are those made by Mexican Indians.
They are barely three-fourths ot an
inch long in many cases, but are nev
ertheless perfect In detail.
The method of manufacture Is as
follows: First there Is a. diminutive
framework of wire. This is then wound
with fine silk thread until the proper
figure has been secured. The cos
tumes are then cut according to the
character of the doll, and fitted to It
With needles that can scarcely be
held In the fingers, needles of which
the eyes are almost Invisible, various
designs are embroidered on the dolls
clothes with the finest of Bilk threads.
So cleverly do the Indians execute
these designs that even through a
powerful glass the details appear to
be perfect, although the work la ac
complished without the aid of any
enlarging device.
Once properly dressed, the doll is
given Its hair. Even to the details
of braids and ribbons this work la
carried out Then there are formed
the eyes, nose, mouth, hands and
feet.
In Mexico these dolls are sold for
ridiculously small Bums. It takes about
two hours of painstaking labor to
make one of the simplest ot the man
ikins. Some dolls are provided with tiny
baskets of flowers, fancy sombreros,
water Jars and other paraphernalia.
The baskets are made of hair by the
Indians of Guanajuato. The bits of
pottery are made of clay, In exact Im
itation of the practical Bites. All these
accessories are sewed to the dolls.
Miniature roses are embroidered In
the costumes of the dancing girls and
ornaments are arranged in their hair.
Wreaths of flowers are hung about the
shoulders and the arms are formed In
graceful and life-like attitudes of danc
ing. The matador Is complete In
every particular his costume being
gayly decorated In many colors,, the
hair dressed in true Spanish fashion,
Including the conventional queue.
for the night In the garden. Could
he expect more visits to the summer
house? Why had young Appleton
come sneaking up at so late an hour
If he were not guilty? The problem
that had seemed so simple was chang
ed Into a maze of strange complica
tions. I was too sleepy to trace them
further.
I was awakened by a touch on my
shoulder. It was Coran who stood
by my bedside.
"We breakfast In half an hour," he
said uneasily.
"I will be punctual."
"Forgive my Importunity, Mr. Phll-
Hps; but promise me that you will
be careful before Miss Rebecca, She
Is so very acute. I never knew a
woman with a keener Instinct for
scandal. And, as a father, I cannot
forget the future of my poor girls.
If she knew the truth she would not
leave them a penny; also, her heart
Is affected."
"I am sorry to hear It." ,
"Thank you. It Is very necessary
that you should be discreet"
He stalked out of the room and left
me wondering at him with an amused
cynicism.
I started for London with my host
by the 9:05. To avoid suspicion,
Peace accompanied us to the station;
but there he left us. He had, he said,
work to do In the town.
Coran was cheerful with the limited
cheerfulness that nature allowed him.
Doubtless he felt that he had his en
emy In his power. He was very talk
ative concerning the final address
which he was advertised to deliver
that evening at eight o'clock. It was
to be the completion, the coping
stone to his campaign, asu was cal
culated to ensure his election next
day. I expressed regret that I
should not be privileged to hear It
I lunched at my club, and, shortly
after three, returned to my rooms.
There, In my easiest chair, reading
an evening paper, who should I dis
cover but Inspector Peace.
"Hello," I said. "I didn't expect
you back so soon."
"This Is a very comfortable chair
of yours, Mr. Phillips," he smiled. "I
was glad of a rest."
"And how goes Brendon?"
"So well that I am going to take
you down there by the 4:10 train."
I tried to draw his discoveries out
of him, but he would tell me nothing.
Something was going to happen which
might interest me If I came along
that was the beginning and end of his
news. It was sufficient to make me
promise to Join him, however, as he
very well knew.
(CHRONICLES TO BEJ CONTINUED.)
KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT IT
Hubby's Confession Did Him Honor(
but Really Was Not Much of
a Surprise to Wife.
"Marie," Bald Mr. Valesburg to his
wife.
"Yes. John."
"I have something on my mind that
I must tell you before I can ever be
happy."
"I shall be glad to hear anything
you have to say, John."
"It Is hard to tell you, but I can't
hide the truth any longer. Marie, I
married you under false pretenses."
"You did!"
"Do you remember what it was that
brought us together?"
"Can I ever forget It, John? We
were at the bathing beach, I was
drowning, and you saved me after I
had given myself up for lost."
"And afterward, In gratitude, you
married me."
"Yes, I felt that I owed my life to
you."
"Marie, I deluded you about that
rescue business. Where you believed
yourself drowning the water was only
waist deep. You were never In dan
ger." "I knew It, John," she answered. "I
had one foot on the bottom all the
lime."
House Built of Porcelain.
An English Inventor Is building a
house of sheets of porcelain, paneled
and welded on a steel framework.
The walls, being non-porous, would
not retain dirt or disease germs. No
matter how careless or dirty the pre
vious tenant had been, a bucketful of
water and some soap would make It
as Bweet and clean as a polished din
ner plate.
Most Noiseless Goods He Had.
The new clerk was doing his best to
be accommodating, but It seemed to
him that his customer was trying to
call for things of whloh he had never
heard. Finally she asked, "Have you
any silont cloths?" Doubt clouded his
face for a moment, then be brought
down a box and triumphantly spread
out a muffler. .
DOG3 EMPLOYED A3 GUARDS BY
GREEK ARMY. ,
They Replace Railway Sentries and In
Paris Rend4r Valuable Aid
to the Police Are Above
Bribery.
After several attempts had been
made to damage the railways used for
the transportation of Greek troops
into Turkish territory, dogs were em
ployed to guard the lines, the Greek
government being unable to spare sol
diers for the purpose. The results
were excellent. At Larissa In particu
lar the entire railroad line was effica
ciously protected by dogs.
So much Interest has been aroused
in Europe by this new use for dogs
and the success of the experiment
that reports have been officially asked
tor by the various European military
authorities concerning the special
training' of the dogs.
For several years perfectly trained
police dogs have been found invalu
able In Paris, and they have been as
signed to Important duties. All along
the banks of the Seine dogs watch for
accidents. It a careless passenger or
an unwary boatman falls off one of
the many boats and barges plying
constantly up and down the Seine,
one of the big, beautiful Newfound
land river guards bounds into the wa
ter to the rescue, barking to give the
alarm and after swimming with the
limp body to the shore. Even the
bridges are closely watched by the
dogs, for f(om the Seine bridges many
despairing men and women leap Into
the river, hoping thus to end their
misery.
It Is now believed that countless
railway wrecks due to deliberate de
sign during labor troubles could be
prevented If railroad sections were
policed by dogs. Their efficacy In this
duty has been unquestionably proved
In the Balkan war.
Dogs are now used to escort pris
oners to and from Jail In Paris. They
will courageously attack their enemy
even when fired upon, as a notorious
bandit found to his cost during a re
cent struggle to escape while being
conveyed to trial. This Is a result
obtained by careful training. .
How to defend his master Is an
other Important lesson taught the po
lice dog. The dog must snarl and bite
as soon as an attempt to hold up his
master Is made. In this the police
dog is developing marvelous qualities.
Guarding property Is another of the
police dog's duties, and in this also
he has proved himself an adept. Ar
ticles left in his care are safe and
faithfully watched.
His moral training forms as much
of a police dog's education as his pro
fessional lesson. He Is taught to be
honest and faithful and not to accept
a. bribe. The latter is Important be
cause poisoned meat is often offered
to these dogs. The police dog soon
learns to eat nothing but what his
master serves him, and Is an example
to many men in his resistance to
temptation.
Among the Cobwebs. .
Bishop Candler of Atlanta, apropos
of worldly parsons, said the other
day:
"There was a worldly parson of this
type in Philadelphia, a great fox hunt
er, . whom a Spruce street Quaker
took in hand.
" 'Friend,' said the Quaker, 'I un
derstand thee's clever at fox catch
ing.' " 'I have few equals and no su
periors at that sport,' the parson com
placently replied.
" 'Nevertheless, friend,' said the
Quaker, 'if I were a fox I would hide
where thee would never find me.'
"'Where would you hide?' asked
the parson, with a frown.
" 'Friend,' said the Quaker, 'I would
hide In thy study.' "
8avlng More Millions.
Millions of dollars will be saved the
government by the use ot a newly de
mised stamp-printing machine. The
apparatus is scheduled to turn out a
mile of postage stamps every five min
utes, it was designed by Benjamin
R. Sticknev. There will be a navlnar
of 57 per cent in the production cost
Df stamps.
This new machine, which urintn.
gums, dries, perforates, and elthnr
cuts Into sheets or winds Into colls
12.000 stamDS In one minute, will IBfA
the government several million dol
lars in the cost of stamps alone In
Che courser -a few years. The bu
reau of engraving and printing now
turns out 40,000,000 stamps dally, but
with the use of the new machine and,
because of the Increased demand, It
will be able to manufacture' many
more millions a day.
Free Transportation.
Scientific Mamma Do not dance all'
the evening, dear. Remember thatl
the dancers at an average ball Cover;
a total of nine miles.
Practical Daughter Oh. but a iri
Is carried most of the way, mammal i
Puck. -