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Show mwwwvuwmm w wiw j Ik ffe Days of 'Poor Richard j j By IRVING BACHELLER j Copyright by IRVING BACHELLER. I eminent people. The blustering talk of the general exeltles no sympathy here. In London, strangers are not likely to be treated as you were." "If I did not believe that I should be leaving It," said Jack. "I should not like to take up dueling for an amusement, as some men have done In France." "You are a well-built man Inside and out," Sir Benjamin answered. "You might have a great future in England. I speak advisedly." Their talk had taken a turn quite unexpected. It flattered the young man. He blushed and answered : "Sir Benjamin, I have no great faith In my talents." "On terms which I would call easy, you could have fame, honor and riches, I would say." "At present I want only your daughter. daugh-ter. As to i lie rest, I shall make myself, my-self, content with what may naturally come to me." "And let me name the terms on which I should be glad to welcome you to my family." "What are the terms?" "Loyalty to your king and a will to understand and assist his plans." "I could not follow him unless ht-will ht-will change his plans." The baronet put 3own his fork and looked up at the young man. "Do you really mean what you say'" he demanded. de-manded. "Is It so difficult for you to do your duty as a British subject?" "Sir Benjamin, always I have been taught that it Is the duty of a British subject to resist oppression. The plans of the king are oppressive. I cannot fall in with them.' I love Margaret as I love my life, but I must keep myself worthy of her. If I could think so well of my conduct, It is because 1 have principles that are inviolable." "At least I hope you would promise me not to take up arms against the king." "Please don't ask me to do that. It would grieve me to fight against England. Eng-land. I hope it may never be, but I would rather fight than submit to tyranny." The baronet made no reply to this declaration so firmly made. A new look came Into his face. Indignation and resentment were there, but he did the plagues of Egypt," said Franklin when the young man was admitted to his office. "My gout Is gone and I am In good spirits In spite of your adventure." ad-venture." "And I suppose you will scold me for the adventure." "You will scold yourself when the consequences have arrived. They will be sure to give you a spanking. The deed is done, and well done. On the whole I think it has been good for the cause, but bad for you." "Why?" "You may have to run out of England Eng-land to save your neck and the face of the king. He was there, I believe?" "Yes,' sir." "The injured lad is In a bad way The wound caught an Infection. Intense In-tense fever and swelling have set in. I helped Sir John Pringle to amputate the arm this afternoon, but even that may not save the patient. Here is a storm to warn the wandering linnet to his shade. A ship goes tomorrow evening. Get ready to take it. In that case your marriage will have to be delayed. Rash men are often compelled com-pelled to live on hope and die fasting." fast-ing." "With Sir Benjamin, the duel has been a help instead of a hindrance," said the young man. "My stubborn soul has been the great obstacle." Then he told of his Interview with Sir Benjamin Hare. Franklin put his hand on Jack's shoulder and said with a smile: "My son, I love you. I could wish you to be no different. Cheer up. Time will lay the dust, and perhaps sooner than you think." "I hope to see Margaret tomorrow morning." "Ah, .then, 'what Grecian arts of soft persuasion 1' " Franklin quoted. "I hope that she, too, will follow the great star in the West 1" "I hope so, but I greatly fear that our meeting will be prevented." CHAPTER XI The Departure. That evening Jack received a brief note from Preston. It said : "I learn that youlg Clarke Is very 111. I think you would better get out of England for fear of what may come. A trial would be apt to cause embarrassment embar-rassment in high places. Can I give you assistance?" Jack returned this note by the same messenger : "Thanks, good friend, I shall go as soon as my business is finished, which I hope may be tomorrow." Just before the young man went to bed a brief note arrived from Margaret. It read : "Dearest Jack. My father has learned of our meeting yesterday and of how It came about. He Is angry. He forbids another meeting. I shall not submit to his tyranny. We must assert our rights like good Americans. I have a plan. You will learn of it when we meet tomorrow at eleven. Do not send an answer. Lovingly, MARGARET." He slept little, and In the morning awaited with keen Impatience the hour of his appointment. On his way to the place he heard a newsboy shouting the word "duel" and "Yankee," followed by the suggestive statement: "Bloody murder In high life." Evidently Lionel Clarke had died of his wound. He saw people standing In groups and reading the paper. He began be-gan to share the nervousness of Preston Pres-ton and the wise, far-seeing Franklin. He jumped iuto a cab and was at the corner some minutes ahead of time. Precisely at eleven he saw the coach draw near. He hurried to its side. The footman dismounted and opened the door. Inside he saw, not Margaret, hut the lady of the hidden face. "You are to get in, sir, and make a little journey with the madame," said the footman. Jack got into the coach. Its door closed, the horses started with a jump and he was on his way whither he knew n Xrt did he know the rea-i rea-i son for the rapid pace at which the horses had begun to travel. "If you do not mind, sir, we will not lift the shades," said the veiled lady, as the coach started. "We shall sea Margaret soon, I hope." She had a colorless, cold voice and what was then known In London as the "patrician manner." Her tone and silence seemed to say: "Please remember re-member this is all a matter of businesj and not a highly agreeable business to me." "Where is Margaret?" he asked. "A long way from here. We rihall meet her at The Ship and Anchor In Oravesend. She will be making the journey by another road." She had answered In a voice as cold as the day and in the manner of one who had said quite enough. "Where is Gravesend?" "On the Thames near the sea," she answered briskly, as If in pity of his ignorance. (TO BE CONTINUED.) CHAPTER X 11 The Lady of the Hidden Face. Next morning at ten, the door boy at his lodgings Informed Jack that a lady was waiting to see him In the parlor. The lady was deeply veiled. She did not speak, but arose as he entered the room and handed him a note. She was tall and erect with a fine carriage. Her silence was Impressive, Impres-sive, her costume admirable. The note in a script unfamiliar to the young man was as follows: "You will find Margaret waiting In a coach at eleven today at the corner of Harley street and Twickenham road." The veiled lady walked to the door und turned and stood looking at him. Her attitude said clearly: "Well, what Is your answer?" "I will be there at eleven," said the young man. The veiled lady nodded, as If to Indicate Indi-cate that her mission was ended, and withdrew. Jack was thrilled by the Information, Informa-tion, but wondered why It was so wrapped in mystery. Not ten minutes had passed after the departure of the veiled lady when a messenger came with a note from Sir Benjamin Hare. In a cordial tone, it invited Jack to breakfast at the Almaek club at twelve-thirty. The young man returned re-turned his acceptance by the same messenger, and in Ins best morning suit went to meet Margaret. A cab conveyed him to the corner named. There was the coach with shades drawn low, waiting. A footman stood near it.. The door was opened and he saw Margaret looking out at him and shaking her hand. 'Tou see what a sly thing I am !" she said when, the greetings over, he sat by her side and the coach was moving. "A London girl knows how to get her way. She is terribly wise, Jack." "But, tell me, who was the veiled lady?" "A go-between. She makes her living liv-ing that way. She Is wise, discreet and reliable. There is employment for V."ny such in tills wicked city. I feel disgraced, Tack. I hope you will not think that I am accustomed to dark 1 und secret ways. This has worried and distressed me, but I had to see you." "And I was longing for a look at you," he said. "I was sure you would not know :how to pull these ropes of Intrigue. I have heard all about them. I could-t could-t - n't help that, you know, and be a young lady who Is quite alive." "Our time is short and I have much to say," said Jack. "I am to breakfast break-fast with your father at the Alraack club at twelve-thirty." She clapped her hands and said, with a laughing face, "I knew he would ask you !" "Margaret, I want to take you to America with the approval of your father, If possible, and without it, if necessary. "I think you will get his approval," said the girl, with enthusiasm. "He has heard all about the duel. He says every one he met, of the court party, last evening, was speaking of It. They agree that the old general needed that lesson. Jack, how proud I am of you !" She pressed his hand in both of hers. "I couldn't help knowing how to shoot," he answered. "And I would not be worthy to touch this fair hand of yours if I had failed to resent an Insult." "Although he is a friend of the general, gen-eral, my father was pleased," she went on. "He cells you a good sport. 'A young man of high spirit who Is not to be played with,' that Is what he ;sald. Now, Jack, If you do not stick too hard on principles if you can yield only a little, I am sure he will "y -let us be married." "I am eager to hear what he may say now," said Jack. "Whatever It I may be, let us stick together and go f to America and be happy. It would be n dark world without you. May I see 'you tomorrow?" "At the same hour and place," she answered. They talked of the home they would have in Philadelphia and planned its garden, Jack having told of the site he had bought with great trees and a river view. They spent an hour which lent Its abundant happiness to many a long year and when they parted, 60on after twelve o'clock, Jack hurried hur-ried away to keep his appointment. Sir Benjamin received the young man with a warm greeting and friendly friend-ly words. Their breakfast was served in a small room where they were alone together, and when they were seated the baronet observed: "I have heard of the duel. It has pet some of the best tongues in England Eng-land wagging in praise of 'the Yankee boy.' One would scarcely have ex-i ex-i pei'ted that." "No, I was prepared to run for my life not that I planned to do -any great damage," said Jack. "You can shoot straight rliat Is evident evi-dent They call your delivery of that bullet swift, accurate and merciful, four fcehavlor nan pleased some vury. not forget the duty of a host. He began to speak of other things. TTie breakfast went on to Its end In an atmosphere at-mosphere of cool politeness. When they were out upon the street together, Sir Benjamin turned to him and said : "Now that we are on neutral ground, I want to say that you Americans -are a stiff-necked lot of people. You are not like any other breed of men. I am done with you. My way cannot be yours. Let us part as fri mds and gentlemen ought to part. I say good-by good-by with a sense of regret. I shall never forget your service to my wife and daughter." "Think not of that," said the young man. "What I did for them I would do for any one who needed my help." "I have to ask you to give up all hope of marrying my daughter." "That I cannot do," said Jack. "Over that hope I have no control. I might as well promise not to breathe." "But I must ask you to give me your word as a gentleman that you will hold no further communication with her." "Sir Benjamin, I shall be frank with you. It Is an unfair request. I cannot agree to it." "What do you say?" the Englishman asked in a tone of astonishment, and his query was emphasized with a firm tap of his cane on the pavement. "I hate to displease you, sir, but If I made such a promise, I would be sure to break it." "Then, sir, I shall see to it that you have no opportunity to oppose my will." In spile of his line restraint, the eyes of the baronet glowed with anger, as he quickly turned from the young man and hurried away. Jack turned h's steps toward Frank- Ilin's door. "I am like the Inna of Goshen amid |