eet ————————— mr Ree | (The Recluse -of Fifth Avenue by WYNDHAM MARTYN Copyright in the United Btates PRRRRRRRRR ERNE R RTE RR nIE nn e WNU Service STORY FROM THE START From the comfortable financial situation to whith he had been born, Peter Milman, American gentleman of the old school, and last of his family, is practically reduced to penury through the misfértune of a friend unwisely trusfad. Learning of Brewer's sui- cide; which means the destruction of Bis last hope, Milman engages a French butler, Achille Lutry, who speaks no English, and is to replace Sneed, servant of long standing. By Lutry, Milman sends letters to Prof. Fleming Bradney, Floyd Malet and Nee- land Barnes, men once of high position. In response, the three call on him at his home. Each relates the circumstances that wrecked their careers. Milman convinces them that &heir mis- fortunes were all due to one man, Paul Raxon, He explains how, chiefly through his belief in Floyd Malet as a great sculptor and the victim of malevolent cir- cumstances, he had subscribed to a press-clipping bureau and kept a detective on Raxon's track, learning much to Raxon's dis- credit, though nothing by which he could be reached legally, Him- self impoverished through Rax- on’'s financial crookedness, Mil- man proposes an association of the four men—an association outside the law—which shall pull down Raxon and force him to disgorge his {ll-gotten financial gains. Following Milman's dis- closures, his three guests, after a consultation, practically decide to join him in the fight against Paul Raxon. CHAPTER V—Continued ef “Not that I ever heard of. The Mil- mans have always been shrewd, con- servative men. Poor old Peter's the last of 'em, and the best. It may be there's something crazy in wanting to live down here, and yet, when I see what a beautiful home he’s got and think of my shack at Peekskill, I un- derstand why he wants to fight to keep it.” Barnes nodded a genial good night to his visitors. He did not under- stand why they hung back. Already he was visioning the future. He would buy a great ranch in California. And there, with splendid horses to ride, he would pass the rest of his days. And, of course, he would have his daughter. When the three men in evening dress were summoned to breakfast !n the Japanese garden, they found their host similarly clad. Whether he had not been to bed, or whether he hatl dressed thus to make their own garb less singular, they did not know. They knew only that they found him free from embarrassment and as courteous- ly considerate as he had been at din- per. Not during the meal was anything said about his proposition. Milman talked freely of his garden and the rare plants in it. A little dial at his side attracted Bradney's notice. He saw that a wire was attached to It leading to the north wall, “A little burglar device of my own,” Mi.man explained. “By it I am en- abled to detect the presence of any- thing on the iron screen which shuts this place in. For example, if I find the dial indicates five pounds in weight, and that the object is moving, I can tell almost certainly it is a wan- dering eat. If a hundred and sixty pounds, I can be sure of a burglar looking for an opening. Cats are fre- quent visitors. In the score of years this garden has existed I have had no more than seven burglars.” “What happens to them?’ Barnes asked. “How do you get them?” “] extinguish the lights here and the shades are drawn back. By illu- minating the marked area, I see the intruder and have him at my mercy. I keep a loaded shotgun handy, and there Is seldom any difficulty in the matter. Only one ever got through. The alarm must have been out of order, for he sawed his way in during Uinner and broke his neck on a stone known, very amusingly, as ‘the Stone of the Respectful Visitor” I am very well protected here. I have had time to elaborate certain devices which make me feel perfectly safe, The po- lice assure me that my cellar is the attraction. It is stored with what was laid down many years ago and the law ‘allows me to keep.” Watching the speaker carefully, Bradney had come to the conclusion that his host was wholly sane: “I've made up my mind,” he said, when Ach!lle had gone. “Well?” sald Milman. He felt if Bradney failed that Malet would be dissuaded. “Well?” “I'm with you.” “I thought you would be when you had had time to reflect that what is anlawful is not always inequitable. I am very grateful. And you, Mr. Malet?” “Count me in." Ty don’t think Mr. Milman has any doubts about me,” Neeland Barnes re- marked, Peter Milman smiled a little. He rather liked this blg man. “I had no doubts about you. Now that we are agreed, let us discuss the thing.” “First of all,” Bradney sald, “what are your plans?” “I have no plans,” Milman returned. I see that you look disappointed. Evi- dently you expectetd me to have the whole thing cut and dried. That, gen- tlemen, seems unreasonable, What object should I have in inviting you here If I were able to accomplish the thing alone? I approach the problem with an open mind. My contribution toward it will be to entertain you for three months, If at the end of that time we are not successful, this house will no longer be my home. We shall have falled, and if we are still at large there will be five hundred dollars each for you. All expenses will be borne by me. I hope you are not dismayed by my news, I do not think you will be. You have not been chosen idly. In Professor Bradney we have a great intellect fit to expend itself on our common problem, In Mr. Malet we have the quick mind and vivid imagi- nation of the artist, Mr. Neeland Barnes brings to-us physical prowess and an extensive knowledge of the un- derworld and its ways. My contribu- tion seems small by comparison.” “First,” sald Fleming Bradney, “let us collate all documents that bear on the subject. I assume you have data concerning Paul Raxon, Mr. Miman?” “I have a great deal,” sald his host. “I know details of his personal and business life that he cannot possibly suspect.” “But how,” Bradney asked, “if you rarely go out and never receive visi- Legit PRS) ks f H ® / aq AMT: iq N\ VRE, ~ . LE Th Ke The Alarm Must Have Been Out of Order. tors, can you get at this information. which must most surely be very diffi cult of access?” “In the beginning, by design. I was determined to find out what forces had pulled you and Malet down. Later, by accident. I spoke not long ago of my cellar. My father laid down a great deal of port in 1871, when I was born. It is a wine I do not great- ly care for. A lawyer named Loddon, who has acted for me for some years, is also Raxon’s confidential attorney. His name never appears publicly in Raxon’s affairs. He Is engaged mainly in keeping his client clear of the ef- fects of earlier indiscretions. Loddon had dined with me many times, and this port induces amazing loquacity in him. If I have doubted his assertions, he has boasted the more loudly. These dinners became at last a most interesting part of my life. 1 drew him on deliberately, never permitting him to see my keenness.,” Milman smiled. “For every bottle of my port Loddon drank, he repaid me a hun- dred-fold. It was when Loddon learned that Malet had made ‘The Settlers’ that he told me in so many words that his client was responsible, I will not weary you with details. 1 have a careful record of every conver- sation. It soothed his ego to talk, and he believed me harmless. Yes, gentlemen, I know a great deal about Paul Raxon.” “And you think he’ll be easy to de- feat?’ Bradney asked. “No more dangerous man lives in all New York,” Peter Milman said gravely. “That is why I have been so careful in selecting my compan- ions. CHAPTER VI Although Paul Raxon had always professed a great belief in his own g unother.” He looked at destiny, he had never thought to be a multimillionaire, He found himself, suddenly, a natlonal figure. It amused him to read newspaper accounts of himself. People assumed that he had newly come to New York, whereas he had been for years a power working through other men. It was as an architect’s clerk he dis- covered the graft which was possible in the building trade. Among the group of {lliterate men who were hold- ing up big jobs and levying blackmail from contractors in the name of La- bor, he soon became a leader. He was cautlous, educated and supremely cunning. The price of success was the betrayal of his benefactor, and he had not hesitated to make it, At the age of forty-two he took his place with the living powers in Wall Street, hated by many, liked by few, but despised by none. Publicity over- whelmed him at last. Mrs. Raxon and her family returned from Europe, where for some years they had lived. At a large price he purchased Great Rock, formerly the home of Bellington of the Traction trust, and hé knew he must fill it with his wife's friends and entertain in the manner of the very rich. At this period of his life the idea of power obsessed him. He did not want to run the risk of losing what he had gained. He was not anxious for any unsavory episodes of his past to arise. There had been many, and with most women were concerned. He grew less intrigued with women as the idea of senatorial honors forced itself upon him. Senator Raxon of New York! No state honors for him. He desired to be sent to Washington. Lod- don, his lawyer, licked his thick lips at the thought. “I'm satisfled,” sald Raxon, “that nobody can pull me down. Jim Caf- fray was dangerous, but he's in Sing Sing for seven years.” “He'll be out in five,” sald Loddon. “and Jim's dangerous, because he knows a lot.” “Jim will be out in less than that,” Raxon retorted. “Bright's disease. He's incurable, You look like a Bright's disease type, Loddon. Better be moderate if you want to help me to the United States senate. I've got a chance, Women are voting against the old machine type of politician, and I'm going to cultivate the women and pose as the pioneer of a new day.” Raxon chuckled a little. He was a tired-looking man, slim, and a little stooped. He had fine hands and good features. He could bring readily to his aid the salesman’s forced enthusiasm, which seemed gen- uine to those who did not know him. He knew he would do well in politics if no old ghosts arose to confound him. For years now he had been liv- ing among men immeasurably beneath him in intelligence; a lucky turn had made him independent of them. To go to the senate from New York would be an expensive matter, but he was prepared to pay. To that end it would be necessary to conserve his fortune. His wife, after years of liv- ing in second-rate hotels, was inclined to a reckless extravagance. Domestic life at Great Rock was strained. Yet Raxon saw that the era of great en- tertainments was at hand. He knew that as he was now a man in the pub- lic eye, he had better do the thing well. The life of relatively small things was over. Not again would he deal with the baser sort of men. Much of his amusement came from watching the men he controlled trying to assert themselves. There was Loddon, for instance. At heart, of the shyster lawyer type and filled with the ideals of petty graft, a wealthy benefactor had bought him a partnership with a respectable firm and he had to guide his professional conduct accordingly. Loddon for the moment was filled with glee at his own fortune. He wished Raxon to regard him as an equal instead of snapping orders at him. He ventured to disagree with his patron. “My success,” Raxon said, stopping him with a gesture, “is due to two things. One is a total absence of pity. Another that I only use men that 1 can crush if they get out of hand. Jim Caffray was one. You're the gross, formless creature and sneered. “When I pipe, you shall dance; and if you don’t dance to my liking, what hap- pens? The Bar assoclation will dis- bar you. You may try to incriminate me, but you haven't a shred of evi- dence of anything-crooked, not a check, letter, telegram, or a dicta- phone conversation. Keep me in good humor, Loddon, and work for me and vou'll go far. or indiscreet. and I shall break you.” “Why, Paul,” Loddon cried, “what's got into you? I'm the loyalest follower you ever had, and you know it.” (TO EE CONTINUED.) | Try to be independent, | THE PATTON COURIER PARASOL TO MATCH COSTUME; FANCY NECKWEAR AND CUFFS «QTOP, look, listen!” Have you or- dered a parasol to match that new sports frock or coat or blouse? Also, to be truly chile, that lovely af- ternoon costume must needs be ac- companied with a matching parasol. Smart women at European fashion re- solts are carrying parasols at after- noon, sports and beach events and the vogue is finding ready acceptance in our “alp countree.” Indeed the para- sol vogue is waging so “fast and furi- ous” that the ald of parasol manufac: turers is being enlisted by the dress maker at home and abroad in order to successfully cater to .this latest whim of fashion for the ensemble. The novelty of this enthusiasm for parasols Is in the fact that, contrary direct evidences of an existing lace era 1s the increasing favor shown for dainty lace neckwear or ether exquis- itely feminine touches of lace which appear on the afternoon frock of crepe, satin or cloth, Lace novelties which distinguish re- cent daytime styles include a varied list of vestees, also long and short plastrons, “modestys” of tucked net and lace, guimpes, jabots, cape-collars, also cuff-and-collar sets of every de- scription—and it 1s said that the vogue is only just at its beginning, Vestees or plastrons to be worn on top of the dress are the “last word” in lace accessories, Some are short and square, others describe long triangle shapes, others are semi-circular, They ¥ 2 SA A ER ESO Fis A FETCHING ENSEMBLE to being confined to dressy elaborate models, the vogue has especially to do with the parasol as a sportswear ac- cessory. So closely are parasols re- lated to costumes, the same print that appears in the dress or coat will be repeated in the parasol, To see how charmingly the mode’s plan of parasol to match the sports coat works out, study this fetching ensemble in the picture. It is the joy of the younger girls to | top their bright print-silk frocks with a parasol of the identical material— and there's no lack of color in the pic- ture, either. A print silk In which scarlet predominates with black, has its parasol ot the same fabric. The hat with this costume is a broad-of- brim bright red transparent straw, banded with matching velvet. Considering this sudden trend to- ward matching parasols, it might be | well to instruct one's dressmaker to { buy an extra yard or so of material, Forgiveness is better than revenge. | —Pittacus. 2. EY ED DDD DDD ef SS DDD Literature Owes Much to Early Troubadours The troubadour was a knight and a poet. A restless knight, eternally on the go, with a musical instrument slung over his shoulder and a sword at his side. Early each spring he sal- lied forth, whim and fancy directing his etretches from northern Spain to Provence in southern France, and Italy. Provence, carpeted with wild flowers, where thousands of tiny rivu- lets wind like silver lacings, where the birds sing sweetly and skies are ever smiling. To the troubadour we are indebted for a vast deal of our knowledge of the thought and customs of the time. His songs, the first lyrical poetry writ. ten in medieval Europe, form a valu- able supplement to history; 2,500 of them, comprising drama, romances and fables, have been preserved, guage used, Langue d’Oc, now spoken only by a few French shepherds and back country folk, is incontestably the | | ered to match, ROOD The lan- | | its share in with a view to having a parasol cov- Not but what these ensembles can be bought ready-to- wear, for the better shops are making a fine display of parasols related to the costume, For formal occasion very dressy parasols are made of shirred chiffon, also there are sunshades of all-over lace designed .in black, in white, and in pastel shades. Ribbon, too, does animating the parasol «.th its bright color. Very unique are the parasols which are covered richest and most harmonious that ever | with yards of narrow ombre ribbon, graced the literature of a people— Mentor Magazine. French Housemaid’s Title The French housemaid is called a “bonne a tout faire,” meaning liter ally, good for doing everything. Conversation is 8 game of circles. --~Emerson. Not only does the fabric of the arasol present unlimited novelty, but there is amusing variety in handles, some of which show grotesque carved figures. All fashiondom {is yielding to the magic sway of lace. This lace- ~vard movement is confirmed by the mode in its every phase from evening costume to daytime frock, One of the = all have either rounded or triangle backs. tachable makes them very acceptable together with their flaring or gaunt- let cuffs which usually accompany them and which are a distinguishing style feature of these modern lace sets. Venise, alencon and even metal- thread laces, combined with georgette or satin are selected mediums for these models. The illustration to the left gives an excellent idea of the daytime frock exhanced with deep lace and geor- gette cuffs matched to an elaborate plastron. This model of black kit- ten's ear crepe is ideal for smart af- 3 LACE NECKWEAR AND CUFFS ternoon wear and it is of very latest fashioning because of the presence of lace at its wrists and neckline, A popular member in the season's neckwear collection is the lace cape- collar, The model in the picture hap- pens to be of silver-thread lace, wlich classes it as an evening-wear item. However, neckwear sections are showing cape-collars of all sorts of lace from modest price to “costly as thy purse can buy.” It is said also of lace fichus that they will be worn quite a little this summer. The sur- plice front opening now so fashion- able calls for a vestee of lace pat- terned after the one shown in the panel in the picture. JULIA BOTTOMLEY, (©, 1827, by Western Newspapey Calet) The fact of their being de- | | | | | innocent automobile? The answer is that CHEVROLET - OAKLAND + BUICK A BATH TUB that tests automobiles S-P-L-A-S-H through the bath tub goes the General Motors car. Out onto the slip- pery road it dashes. On go the brakes! Y / { / y { { { ) What is the reason for such torture of an J / / ly J J J for granted. They want to know what happens when a car ploughs through water. They insist too on measuring, with special machines which they have built, just how quickly the car can be stopped and just how much pres- sure of the foot is required to stop it. Altogether General Motors has 136 different tests by which cars are proved as they never have been proved before; nothing is left in doubt. All of which means that you are buying doubly assured safety, reliability and comfort when you choose a General Motors car. GENERAL * General Motors Proving Ground take nothing PONTIAC ~ GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS YELLOW CABS & COACHES FRIGIDAIRE = The Electric Refrigerator DELCO-LIGHT Electric Plants the engineers at the OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC LASALLE - J J J J J / J J / / J ! MOTORS 1 1 J J J J J bo Belong There An old lady was out riding with her ron and his wife. Presently they came to a group of buildings sur- rounded by a high stone wall, “What is that, son?’ she pointing to the buildings. “That is the state insane asylum, mother,” explained the son. Next they came to a golf course, ad- Joining the asylum, which was well populated with the Sunday erowd. “Oh, isn’t that nice of them to let the poor crazy people out into the pas- I” exclaimed the old lady. “But asked, ture! they do act queer, don't they?” Nora Knows Jones—Nora," can vou tell me of my wife's whereabouts? Nora—They're all on the washline, sor. MOTHER :— Fletcher's Cas- toria is a pleasant, harmless Substitute for Castor Oil, Pare- Both Johns Honored When Mr. and Mrs. James Cala- mussi of Bristol, Conn., welcomed their first baby, the father decided that the child should be named John, after the father’s older brother, who had been very kind to the family, In two years another boy arrived and Mrs. Calamussi said it was her turn. She, too, had a brother John, who had heen a boon to her family. So the second boy also was named John. New York at Boiling Point New York city has transformed rush into crush. It has tunneled un- der itself and built over itself, it has bridged and burrowed and bussed un- til it is a city of entrances and exits. But so far it hasn't been able to find room enough Home Companion, goric, Teething Drops and Soothing Syrups, especially prepared for Infants in arms and Children all ages. To avoid imitations, always look for the signature of 7 7ole hen Proven directions on eaeh package. Physicians everywhere recommend it. where, tories, .CharmingReflection Soap 26e, Ofntment 25 and 0c, Talcum Ze. Sold every- 3 Sample exch free. § Labora 3, Malden, Mas." ke "BE Cuticura Shaving Stick 26c. is obtained by using Cuticura Soap Daily, assisted by Cuticura Ointment when required. It keeps the pores active, the skin clear and free from irritations and the scalp in a healthy hair-growing condition. Address: “Cuticurs for its feet.—Woman's- I came N RENTING A ( TODAY, FEI If At First You Try“, B PERCY L. © by the McClure » —
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers