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Tiie Mm From Home A Novelizatlon of the Ploy of the Same Name By BOOTH TARKINGTON and HARRY LEON WILSON Copyright, P9OO. by Amertcn Press Association “Pardon, m'slcu, the gentleman, he wish to speak to you.” Horace whirled In an angry fash. “What gentlemanV" he demanded, and Pike regarded him calmly. “I thought from your looks." he pro ceeded quietly, "you might be an A merican.” Horace planted himself squarely be fore his Interrogator. “Are you speaking to me?" he de manded haughtily. "1 shouldn't be surprised.” said Pike genially. “Ain't you an American?” “I happen to have been born in the States,” replied Horace aggressively, and Pike smiled quizzically. "Well, that was luck," he comment ed. and as Horace turned again to go he said: ’'Hold on a minute! I'm look ing for some Americans here, and I expect you know ’em—boy and girl named Simpson!” Horace flushed deeply to the roots of his hair. "Is there any possibility you mean fSrunger-Slmpson?" he asked, with elaborate sarcasm, but this was lost on Daniel. "No, sir: just plain Simpson. Gran ger’s their middle name. That's for old Jed Granger, grandfather on their mother's side. I want to see ’“in both, but it’s the girl I'm really looking for.” "Will you be good enough to slate any possible reason why Miss Granger- Simpson should see you?” and I’ike started in genuine astonishment. “Reason!” he reiterated. “Why, yes. I'm her guardian!” The effect of this simple statement was terrifying. Ethel reeled dizzily and was supported by lime, de Cbam pigny. The earl rose to his feet, and Horace staggered back. “What!" he cried. "Yes, sir,” went on Pike—“ Daniel Voorhees Pike, attorney at law, Koko mo, lnd.” Horace fell back from him in horri fied amazement. "1 shall ask her,” he began weakly and shamefacedly, "if she will consent to an interview.” Pike looked at him in amazement in his turn. "Interview!” he said. "Why, I want to talk to her!” Hawcastle, 'with some of his finer feelings aroused, picked up bis sister in-law with his eyes, much as a clever hostess picks up her feminine guests at dinner, and arose, turning to Ethel. “This shall make no difference to us, my child," he said and. turning sharp ly, took Ijidy Creech by the arm and left the terrace. Pike looked at Hor ace pityingly. “Don’t you understand?” he said. •Tin her guardian!” For a fleeting instant Horace stared at him and then dropped his chin and walked away. “I shall never hold up my head again." he said. The sudden horror of the revelation that Horace had drawn forth bore down upon Ethel’s mind with a crush ing weight. To her artificlallzed understanding the disgrace was more than she could ever hope to bear, and Horace’s ex pressed thought that he should never be able to hold up his head again was but a vivification of her own. Surely it would have been bad enough, she told herself, if this fearful thing had come upon them privately, but to have it appear in the full light of day and in the very hearing of the family of the man site was about to marry was too cruel. And with an inward groan she leaned for a moment against the terrace wall where the countess had left her. When the first astonishment had passed and she had time to realize what had oc curred. events that had seemed but fleeting impressions rose up before her in all their vivid nakedness. Mine, de Champiguy had looked at her with astute contempt, site was sure, and she dimly remembered seeing the look of horrified amazement upon the patrician features of the Earl of Hawcastle. Then, with an awakened resentment, the fighting blood of the sturdy plebe ian Simpson stotk. the stock that had upheld its end in the battle against oppression in several wars, came back to her with a rush, and she decided to see this awful man and give him to understand that he must go away at once and never insult her again by bis uncouth and vulgar presence. Such business as had to be transacted could be done through an intermediary. With a bracing of her spirit she stepped forward resolutely and came up close behind Pike as he stood..with drooping Jaw gazing iu perplexity after the retreating Horace. Ethel cast a look of loathing upon the straight back of the guardian of her peace and ground her little boot heel into tlie stone flagging. She glanced up and saw that the common German was looking at Pike with grave sympathy and even understanding, and Instantly she hated him for it. Then she saw him take Ids cap from the obsequious Mariano and turn away. When he had gone she said In a low voice: “I am Miss Grauger-Simpson." CHAPTER X. THE HUMILIATION. INSTANTLY Pike turned with a lithe twist of ills lank body and half lifted his hand as If he ex pected a blow. Then his arm dropped again, and lie stood looking at her in calm and interested fashion. As lie stared his expression changed to (ne of mingled tenderness and pride, and when he spoke there was a world of pathos in his voice. “Why," he said In a low. astonished tone—“why. I knew your pa from the time I was a little boy till he died, and 1 looked up to him more’n I ever looked up to anybody in my life, but I never thought he'd have a girl like you. He’d be mighty proud if he could sec you now.” She turned from him In a smothered rage and then faced him again with cold disapproval in her tone. "Perhaps it will be as well if we avoid personal allusions.” she said re sentfully. This man should have no opportunity for bringing up those vul gar, half forgotten family reminis cences if she could help it. He smiled a trilie wanly. “1 don't just see how that’s possi ble," be answered, and she waved her hand indignantly. “Will you please sit down?” she said, and I’ike made an awkward bow. "Y'es, ma'am." he replied meekly, with the faintest accent on the last word, and obediently took the chair that Horace had vacated so precipitous ly. She shuddered at the word he had used and glanced nervously at the hat he was holding in his hands. “Are—are you really my guardian?" she asked at last, with a trace of heat- Vi l\\ fib P “ We could have been epared this—this mortification. ” ed unbelief iu her tones. Pike smiled at her. “Well," he said. “I’ve got the papers lu my grip. 1 expect that"— “Oh, I know it!” she interrupted ex plosively. "It's only that we didn't fancy—we didn't expect”— She paused, and he went on: “1 expect you thought I’d be consid erably older.’’ “Not only that." "And 1 guess you thought I’d neg lected you a good deal.” There was a touch of remorse in his tone, and he ookeil idly at the hat he held. “And t did look like it—never coming to see vou— but I couldn’t hardly manage the iuie to get away. You see, being trus ee <>f your share of the estate I don’t uardly have a fair show at my law practice. But when I got your letter eleven days ago 1 says to myself: 'Here. Daniel Voorhees Pike, you old shellback, you’ve just got to take time. Jehu Simpson trusted you with his property, and he's done more—he’s trusted you to look out for her. and now she's come to a kind of jumping off place in her life—she’s thinking of get ting married—so you just pack your gripsack and hike out over there aud stand by her.’" During the last half of his speech there was a tone of affectionate regard, at which she bridled resentfully. "I quite fail to understand your point of view," she said frigidly. "Perhaps 1 had best make it clear to you that l am no longer thinking of getting mar ried." "Well, Lord ’a’ mercy!" ejaculated I’ike, leaning back in liis chair and smiling at her, but she affected not to notice the lighter tone and went on. "I mean I have decided upon it. The ceremony is to take place in a fort night.'' Pike brought the front feet of his chair down with a crash. “Well. 1 declare!" he cried. "We shall dispense with all delays,” site went on. and Pike regarded her solemnly for a moment. “Well. I don’t know as I could say anything against that. He must be a mighty nice fellow, and you must think a heap of him.” lie sighed. "That's the way it should be.” He looked at her. "And you're happy?” “Distinctly!” said Ethel decisively. Pike looked off over the blue bay, and then his gaze traveled to where Horace bad been standing, and with a start he turned to her again, speak ing eagerly: "It ain’t that fellow I was talking with, yonder?” And she voiced an indignant protest. “That was my brother!” “Lord ’a’ mercy!" ejaculated Daniel and then recovered himself. "But. then, I wouldn’t remember him. He couldn't have been more than twelve when you was home last. Of course I’d ’a’ known you”— "How?” demanded Ethel. “You couldn’t have seen me since I was a child.” “From your picture, though now I see it ain’t so much like you,” he an swered. and she stepped forward, with astonishment. “Y’ou have a photograph of me?” "The last time I saw your father alive he gave it to me—to look at.” “And you remembered”— “Y'es, ma’am.” A look of incredulity passed over Ethel’s face, and she replied: “It does not strike me as possible. However, we will dismiss the sub ject." “Well, if you'd like to introduce me to your—to your”— “To my brother?” “No, ma'am; to your—to the young man.” “To Mr. St. Aubyn?" cried Ethel, re coiling a step. “I think it quite un necessary.” “I’m afraid I can't see it that way. I’ll have to have a couple of talks with him. sort Of look him over, so to speak. I won’t stay around here spoil ing your fun any longer than I can help—only just for that and to get a letter I'm expecting from England." Ethel bit her lip vexatiously. “I do not see that you need have come at all. We could have been spared this—this mortification.” “Y'ou mean I mortify you? Why, I —I can't see how.” “In a hundred ways," she replied, “every way. That common person who is with you”— “He isn't common. \ T ou only think so because he's with me.” returned Daniel sadly, looking down. “Who is he?” demanded Ethel sharp ly- “He told me his name, but I can’t remember it I call him ‘doc.’ ” “It doesn’t matter. What does mat ter is that you needn’t have come. You could have written your consent." “No, ma’am, not without seeing the young man," answered Pike resolute ly. “And you could have arranged the settlement in the same way.” went on Ethel unheedingly. “Settlement! You seem to have set tled it pretty well wituout me,” re turned Pike, smiling. “You don’t understand,” said Ethel impatiently. “An alliance of this sort always entails a certain settlement.” She paused. “Please listen. If you were at all a man of the world I should not have to explain that in marrying into a noble house I bring my dot, my dowry”— “Money, you mean?” asked Pike, puzzled. “Yes, If you choose to put it that way.” “You mean you want to put aside something of your own to buy a lot and start housekeeping”— “No,” she flared. “I mean a settle ment upon Mr. St. Aubyn directly.” “You mean you want to give it to him?” “If that’s the only way to make you understand—yes!” she flashed. “How much do you want to give him?” asked Pike thoughtfully. “A hundred aud fifty thousand pounds,” said Ethel desperately. Pike whistled. “Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars!” “Precisely that!” said Ethel. “Well, he has made you care for him.” said Daniel. "I guess he must be the prince of the world! He must be a great man. 1 expect you're right about me not meeting him. I probably wouldu’t stack up very high alongside a man that's big enough for you to think so much of as you do him. Why, I’d have to squeeze every bit of prop erty your pa left you.” "Is it your property?” she flared at him. “I’ve worked pretty hard to take care of it for you,” he answered gen tly. and instantly she regretted the sharp speech. “Forgive me,” she pleaded. "It was unworthy of me—unworthy of the higher and nobler things that life calls me to live up to—that I shall live up to. The money means nothing to me. I’m not thinking of that. It is a neces sary form.” I’ike looked at her keenly. “Have you talked with Mr. St. Au byn about this settlement —this present you want to make to him?" he asked. "Not with him." “1 thought not." he weut on amused ly. . “You'll see_ He wouldn’t take it If I'd let you give It to ram. a fine man like that wants to make his own way. Mighty few men like to have fun poked at them about living on their wives’ money.” “Oh. I can’t make you understand!” cried Ethel despairingly. "A settle ment isn't a gift.” "Then how'd you happen to decide that just a hundred and fifty thousand I - -1 it Jjr “The police arc chasing a bally convict chap under the cliff.' 1 ' pounds was what you want id to give him?" he demanded. “It was Mr. St. Aubyn's father who fixed the amount,” replied Ethel des perately. “His father! What's he got to do with it?” “He is the Earl of Hawcastle, the head of the ancient house." “And lie asks you for your property asks you for it in so many words?” "Y'es, as a settlement.” “And your young man knows it?” “I tell you. Mr. Pike, I have not dis cussed it with Mr. St. Aubyn.” Pike laughed. “I reckon not.” be said amusedly. “Well. sir. do you know what's the first thing Mr. St..Aubyn will do when he hears his father made such a prop osition? He’ll t::ke the old man out in the back lot and give him a thrash ing he won't forget to the day of his death!” Slie was about to answer when from a distance came the roll of drums and then the sound of a bugle. The sounds came from afar off, as if below the cliff. They both stopped to listen. Then the servants came runuing. with Mari ano at their head. They rushed to the wall and leaned over, all excitement. Mariano turned to call to them over his shoulder: “The bandit of Russia! The soldiers think he is hidden in a grotto under these cliffs!” As he spoke A1 meric ran down the steps with a shotgun in his hand and made for the steps leading down the face of the cliff. Pike turned To Ethel. “I saw that fellow on the road here. What’s he meant for?” Ethel turned angrily from the law yer and called sharply to her fiance: “Almeric!” St. Aubyn turned and stopped. “Hello!” he said. “I wish to present my guardian to you.” and turned to Pike as Almeric approached. “This is Mr. St. Aubyn,” she said steadily. Almeric stared at Pike through his monocle and laughed. “Why, It's the donkey man. isn’t it? How very odd! Y’ou'll have to see the governor and our solicitor about that settlement, though. I’ve some impor tant business here. The police are chasing a bally convict chap under the cliff yonder, so you'll have to excuse me. Y'ou know there’s nothing like a little convict shooting to break the blooming monotony—what?" He turned and rushed off down the stairway. Pike turned to look after him in mute astonishment and then turned to Ethel. She refused to meet his glance, and the hot blood rose to her face us she felt his scrutiny. She tapped nervously with her foot, and the astonishment grew in Daniel’s face. He looked from her to where Al meric had disappeared aud back to her again. Then he took a step forward as if to speak and stopped. Finally the dawning horror in his face took concrete form, and he spoke. "That!" he groaned. "Seven hun dred and fifty thousand dollars for that! Say, how much do they charge for a real man over here anyway?” But she was unable to meet his eye. Turning quickly, with her cheeks flam ing with shame and anger, she rushed into the hotel and left him standing speechless on the spot. [coNTINrF.D NEXT WEEK ] ALLENS ART STL DLL All kinds of Photographs made by latest methods. All work done promptly. Office on Candler St., Winder Oa 8 FARMS FOR SALE! In and around Jersey, Walton county, Georgia, containing from 40 to 510 acres each. Terms easy APPLY TO Wo L. Blasingame, Winder, Ga. OR ' Josiah Blasingame, Jersey, Ga. PROFESSIONAL CARDS — LEWIS C. RUSSFLL. ATTORNEY AT LAW, Winder, Ga. Offices over First National Bank. G. A. JOHNS, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Winder, Ga. Office over Smirh & Carithers’ Bank. Practice in State and U. S. Courts. J. F. HOLMES, ATTORN* EY' - AT- LA W, Statham, Ga. Criminal and Commercial Law a Specialty 4? W. H. QUARTERMAN ATTORNEY AT LAW Winder, Ga. Practice in all the courts Commercial law a specialty. W. L. DeLaPERRIERK DENTAL SURGERY. Winder - - Georgia Fillings, Bridge and Plate-work done in most scientific and satis factory way. Offices on Broad St. SPURGEON WILLIAMS DENTIST, 4 Winder - Georgia Offices over Smith & Carithers bank. All work done satisfac torily, Phone 81. DR. S. T. ROSS, PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, f Winder, Ga. Offices over First National Bank. ~ EDMOND F.' SAXON," m'. D.^ WINDER, GA. Office over Turner’s Pharmacy. Residence on Broad St. ’Phone 116. Attend all calls day or night. DR. R. P, ADAMS, BETHLEHEM, GA. General Practice. Telephone. Schedule Gainesville Midland Railway. SOUTH BOUND ' No. 11 —Lv. 8:40 a. m. No. 13 —Lv. 2:00 p m. No. 15 —Lv. 11:15 a m : Sun. only. NORTH BOUND No. 12 —At. 5:10 am. No. 14 —Al. 12:10 p m. No. 16 —A.. 4:00 pm; Sun.oulv ■—-ii ■ - ■ Schedule Seaboard Air Line EASTWARD. No. 52—For local stations, Mon- roe and Columbus... 9:45 a i*k No. 32 —For Norfolk, Washing ton and New York... 1:52 p m No. 58 —For local stations to Athens 7:32 p m No. 36 —For local stations north of Athens, Richmond and East 12:11 a m WESTWARD. No. 37 —For Atlanta, Birming ham and west 5:23 a m No. 57—For local stations and Atlanta 7:45 a m No. 33—For Atlanta, Birming ham, Memphis and West 3:12 p m No. 53 —For Atlanta and west 6:18 p m These arrivals and departures are given as information and are not guar anteed.