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S n o n n t t 4 â€"* _ "It‘s gcing to be a lovely day," Mrs. Gaddesden her new lodger when she brought in his breakfast. "If you cared, you could get a ‘bus at the end of the road to Ferry Woods; they are very nicte in the sprirg. Dinner will be at one o‘clock, if that suits you.‘" "It does, admirably," he smiled. He felt even more a ‘"‘stranger in a strange city"than he had done on the Saturday, and he was glad to follow Mrs. Gaddesden‘s advice . Ferry Woods were all that remained of what, in the Middle Ages, had been a great forest, and generations of Mossâ€" ford people had wa‘lked in them. But few of the people who were there thais lovely April morning were alone. Many courting couples were there, and groups of young men and maidens, but few solitary people. But it was a pleasant place and Perguson returned to Numâ€" ber Five quite ready to face the Instiâ€" tution. In the evening he went to the big church he had noticed in the London Road. The preacher was a broadminded, tolerant man, who had something to say and knew how to say it. He took as a text that wonderful phrase: ‘"Let him among us that is without sin cast CHAPTER II STRANGER IN MOSSFORD Mossford is not a very exciting place on Sunday. Shops and cinemas are closed and the streets in the centre of the town are practically deserted. The people are in their homes; the British Sunday Dinner is still an institution in Mossford. There has been some discussion at Trevowe‘s among the staff, concerning Ferguson‘s appointment, for he is comâ€" ing to the firm not through normal channels, but on the initiative of Mr. Trevowe himself. Mary Donovan tries, unsuccessfully, to draw Ferguson, for they received no references apart from the commands cf the managing director. But so far John Fingal Ferguson remains a mysâ€" tery. John Fingal Ferguson, aged about 35, has obtained a post with Trevowe and Co., Ltd., an oldâ€"established busiâ€" ness in the country town of Mossford. He arrives at the place on the Saturday before he starts work and finds lodgâ€" ings with a Mrs. Gaddesden. During the weekâ€"end he meets Mrs. Gaddesâ€" den‘s niece, Mary Donovan, who is secâ€" retary to Mr. Mumford, manager at Trevowe‘s. £ WHO‘ s WHO IN THE STORY the first stone." Vn abeale ale alaatnate aleateateateate abe abeate ate aie abe abe abe ate ate ate abe o ale ote ote MWWrMM%-MM@@ The sermons that|get what the films call a ‘break‘. but Copyright _ +« John Fingal Ferguson, otherwise Halâ€"| have been preached on this phrase are,.|our people are clannish and are almost lett, a man about 35; handsome, premaâ€"; of course. innumerable, but the young| bound to regard the coming of a man turely grey. His past history is someâ€"| man who preached that evening touchâ€" thing of a mystery. | ed some deeply responsive chords in the William Trevowe, head of Trevowe s soul of at least one of his listeners. Ltd., of Mossford. When the story opens Slowly .and thoughtfully, Ferguson Trevowe gives Ferguson a job in the walked homeward after the service. In office of his firm. | some subtle way he no longer seemed Teddy Wilson, otherwise Sternberg, so utterly alone and could face the life manager of a theatrical company. | ahead with a new courage. His reaction Mrs. Gaddesden. A motherly woman was rather curious for he was not. with whom Ferguson lodges. usually, conventionally religious He Mary Dorovan, a secretary on the) had, indeed. gone to the church in the staff of Trevowe‘s. She is also a niece| first place to escape from his own of Mrs. Gaddesden. loneliness, from a fear of being alone. Lucia Desmund. Principal actress m' Five minutes to nine the next mornâ€" Wilson‘s company, and wife of Wilson.| imm. ra..aa A m aA a# i n m se a sae from London as a personal slightâ€"in a sense." "I can understand that, sir." "Mr. Trevowe himself has taken up your references; he made that quite clear." "Yes. It was very kind of him. He has proved a good friend." Mr. Mumford did not reply for a moâ€" ment: "Quite," he said. "I‘m starting afresh in Mossford, Mr. Mumford," Ferguson said, and for a moment the eyes of the two men met. ‘"Don‘t forget to come to me., Ferâ€" _,;} guson. iIif yvou think I can heln vou. I Your Radio Sset is a fine delicate inâ€" strument. When it operates improâ€" perly it needs the attention of a Trained Radio Expert. A Phone call to 1870 will receive prompt attention and will bring you Guaranteed â€" Efficient Service _ to Your Setl. A MOVING STORY O +7 Commercial Officeâ€"Hyâ€"W ay Service Station Schumacher Rd. Phones } Western Minehead Inferno Hard Coalâ€"Welsh (Cobbles, Stove Size, Nut and It‘s Time . . S»toker Coal (Oiltreated or Western) HONEST WEIGHT _ Order Toâ€"day District Services Ltd. Buckwheat Blower No. 1) Pennsylvania Blue Coal Second Chance Now read on PHONE 1670 Author of "George," " Two Men and Mary", Etc OUR PRICES ARE LOWER $9.50 to $18.50 per ton Have District Services fill your coal bin. They handle every type of coal you will need and are therefore in a position to meet your heating requirements, Cold Weather ahead and soon needing heat. Use Coal this is more economical. "You quite understand, Mr. Ferguson, that, for the time being at any rate, you will occupy a comparatively junior position in the office?" "I quite understand," he said. "Then I think you had better go into the sales department. Mr. Goodspeed, who is in charge of it, has been with us for many years, but he is away ill." "Thank you." "I think I should warn you that you are almost bound to meet with a cerâ€" tain amount of ... suspicionâ€"I had alâ€" most said hostilityâ€"in the staff, Mr Ferguson." the elder man said with a a certain diffidence in his manner. "Coming as a stranger?" Mr. Mumford nodded: "But it won‘t mean anything. If you meet with any serious difficulty I should like you to some straight to me." "Thank you. But I hope the necessity won‘t arise." "I‘ve had a fairly extensive experience of office work." "In London?" ‘‘Yes, And abroad. I was some years in Singapore." eath side of which offices opened. At the end, she tapped at a door and stood aside for bimflto enter. "Good morning, Mr. Ferguson," said Mary Donovan. "Sit down, please." There was no one else in the room. "Br good morning." ‘"Mr. Mumford is busy just at the moâ€" ment, but he won‘t be long." "It‘s very pleasant finding you here." "I‘m always here," she smiled. "I‘m Mr. Mumford‘s secretary." At that moment Mr. Mumford himâ€" self came into the room. Ferguson rose: "Goodâ€"morning, sir," he said. "My name is Ferguson." "Oh, yes. I was expecting you. Mr. Trevowe said you would be here. Sit down, won‘t you? To be quite frank, Mr. Ferguson, I‘ve only the vaguest inâ€" formation about you. About your exâ€" perience, I mean, and the kind of work to put you on. Usually, of course, I atâ€" tend to appointments to the office staff myselt." The waiting room was hot and stuffy. It had evidently been closed over the weekâ€"end and the big radiator was apâ€" parently functioning fully. Ferguson waited. He examined the framed adâ€" vertisements of Trevowe‘s, Ltd., which decorated the room, and still waited. Ten past, a quarter past, when suddenâ€" ly the door was opsned and the young lady in the "Enquiries" said: "Come this way, please." She led him along a corridor from "Er I have an appointment with Mr. Mumford. My name is Ferguson." "Will you wait over there," she said, indicating the room opposite and closed the window. Don‘t misunderstand me. You will ’11 Phones S80â€"1890 head and soon you‘ll be Use Coal this Winter it COAL by The suspicion of which Mr. Mumford had spoken was not apparent to Ferâ€" guson, but Mossford folk rarely show their feelings to strangers. As the days passed many of the staff with whom he came into contact betrayed a curiâ€" csity about him. and made. indeed, un â€" "I didn‘t say he was. He came through them. They are responsible, I mean." Mr. Mumford spoke shortly. which was unlike him, and Miss Donoâ€" van turned to her work. ‘"Was he in asked. "I think he will. He seems to have fitted in very well. You know, sir, he‘s had a better job than this before now." "I don‘t know anything about that, Maynard. They took up his references in London and so it‘s really nothing to do with us. I just wanted to know how he was shaping." "I understand, sir." said Maynard. "I hope you dao." Miss Donovan was apparently too deeply immersed in her work to listen to what the two men were saying, but she noticed the smile on Maynard‘s face as he turned to the door. Apparâ€" ently, however, she had not missed a great deal, for as the door closed, she said: "I‘m glad he‘s shaping well, Mr. Mumford." "S0o am I." ‘"He seems an interesting type." "That‘s as may be, Miss Donovan. As far as we are concerned,. he came here from the London office and we‘ve goi to see that he well that he doesn‘t faill." "Yes?" Ferguson heard him say and a moment later he added: "T‘ll come at once." "It‘s old Mumford," he explained as he replaced the receiver. "What do you think of him Mayâ€" nard?" Mr. Mumford asked a minute or so later. "He‘ll be quite a useful man nard replied. "I‘m glad. It‘s up to us to give a hand. I rather fancy that Mr. Trevowe will want to know why, if he doesn‘t make a do of it." He went on to explain the work and Ferguson listened: "Now is that clear?" Maynard asked at the end. "Quite. Thank you. I‘ll have a shot at it, shall I?" "Go ahead. And for toâ€"day you had better use that desk." The work was, in actual fact, perfectâ€" ly simple, but rather complicated by Mr. Goodspeed‘s elaborate "system". Just before lunch the ‘phone on Mayâ€" nard‘s desk rang. ‘‘*You‘ll pick up the systemâ€"it‘s Mr. Goodspeed‘s system, not mine, by the wayâ€"and then it‘ll be fairly plain sailâ€" ing. Had any experience of this kind of thing?" "I‘ve had a fairly general experience." ‘"You‘re a friend of the boss, I hear?" "I know him." "Well, anything we can do to help you, of course. Now what we‘ve got on hand this morning ... "For the time being Mr. Ferguson will be with you," Mr. Mumford said. "I feel certain cthat you will put him through his paces. Well....... good luck!" he went on to Ferguson and turned to the door. Many curious eyes followed the two men as they passed through the main Ooffice. At the end of it they came to a glass door leading into a rather smallâ€" er room, and at the end of that into a still smaller one where a man was dicâ€" tating a letter to a typist. "Mr. Maynard, I want to introduce Mtr. Ferguson." "Pleased to meet you," said Maynard. He was a man rather older than Ferâ€" guson with reddish hair and a pleaâ€" sant smile. "And if I‘m not here, you might do worse than consult my secretary, Miss Donovan. She‘s a very able girl and knows at least as much as I do about many aspects of the business. Now T‘ll take you along to the Sales Departâ€" ment." ‘"Don‘t forget to come to me, Ferâ€" guson, if you think I can help you. I have worked for and with Mr. Trevowe and his father before him, and I have a very hearty respect for his judgment." "You are very kind." THE NEW CLERK He suddenly realized that he was alone with Mr. Mumford. Miss Donoâ€" van ~had evidently silently left the room. "Yes. It was very kind of him. He has proved a good friend." Mr. Mumford did not reply for a moâ€" ment: "Quite," he said. "I‘m starting afresh in Mossford, Mr. Mumford," Ferguson said, and for a moment the eyes of the two men met. "I can understand that, sir." "Mr. Trevowe himself has taken up your references; he made that quite clear." the London office?" she THE PORCUPINE ADVANCE. TTIMMINS, ONTARIO The curiosity Ferguson had caused was not limited to Maynard and his pals. John Rossiterâ€""Old" Rossiter as everyone in Trevowe‘s called himâ€"had been the firm‘s chief London traveller for many years. He was not often in Mossford but he happened to be there that Friday. And, as he usually did, he dined with Mr. and Mrs. Mumford. "Do you know a chap called Ferguâ€" son? John Fingal Ferguson?" Mumford "well earned re ing isâ€"and we chap: ‘Sir‘." "Shouldr said. mitted. "But that doesn‘t explain come from some big firm why not say so? Why hide Trevowe can do what he 1 reason. But why all the se "Old Mumford as that it was up to us to good," Maynard said. Maynard â€" shrugged "He‘s a pet lamb of pose. But it doesn‘t s that he should be get aiMt," "It isn‘t right!" they agreed. "Looks to me as if he‘s come down to stay. Old Mumford can‘t carry on much longer and it looks to me as if your Mr. Ferguson‘s going to be boss here before any of us are a lot older." "Mind you, he‘s a good man. He‘s got old Goodspeed‘s precious system taped up good and proper." disguised attempts to | about him. But he gave There was a reserve in h and by the end of the them had given up atte lout his story. He rapidly that he was a really ab became clear to Maynar not merely mastered th which the department w in a position to suggest ous improvements. "He‘s a gentleman," said Maynard. who had been in much closer contac with Ferguson thaun the others, "So are we all." "I don‘t mean like that. He speaks French, for cne thing." "That‘s nothing." ‘‘And he‘s been in a position of auâ€" thority. He‘s not like an ordinary clerk. He wasn‘t a clerk before he came to Mossford." "Did he tell you." "No. He‘s told me nothing. That‘s what I mean by being a gentleman. You ask him a question and he doesn‘t anâ€" swerâ€"not as you would answerâ€"but he does it so politely that you don‘t notice that what he has said boils down to inviting you to mind your own blinking business. Damn it all, you can‘t help being curicus about a chap you‘ve got to work with." hide?" "Hearch me." said Maynard. "He‘s drawing five ten." "So I heard. Young Cannock in the cashier‘s office told me, so I know it‘s right.‘ nard salld. "What‘s the idea? Pa isn‘t he?" "I don‘t know. Hes as c "A mysterious sort of : another said. "I hear th: himself knows nothirg "He‘s a gentleman,." who had been in much ‘"Who is this chap that William Treâ€" vowe has sent down?" one of the men asked. "He‘s a very d nard said. On the Friday evening, Maynard and several of his pals usually broke their romeward journey at the Crown, a very pleasant hostelry in the London Road. Generally their dissipation did not extend beyond a couple of glasses of beer and the custom provided an excellent opportunity for a quiet talk. Inevitably, on this occasion, Ferguson provided the main topic of conversaâ€" tion. TAVERN GOSSIP | On the Friday afternoon Ferguson received his first pay envelope. It conâ€" tained five pounds ten shillings, which was the sum that had been arranged. Within an houtr. the amount in that particular envelope was known to many of the staff. It was rather more, for example, than the amount in May-: nard‘s envelope. | in hurriedly. " on the old line All of which was d Mtr. Mumford. TI‘d wondered that Course you can‘t. What‘s he got to on top of head and in forehead was more than 1 could bear. My doctor advised me to take Fruitâ€"aâ€"tives. Since thcn 1 have not had any trouble with headaches." When you take Fruit~ aâ€"tives, your liver is cleansed. Stomach, kidneys and intestines work naturâ€" ally. Poisons and wastes go. Food nourishes. Health comes. 25¢. and 50¢c. All druggists. It‘s fortunate that a great Canadian doctor made the famous fruit, herb and tonic remedy, Fruitâ€"aâ€"tives. Mr.C. D., Toronto, writes, "I was bothered with very severe headaches. Pain NO TERRIBLE HEADACHE NOW ynard shrugged his sht â€"a pet lamb of William‘s, But it doesn‘t seem right he should be getting more merely Found Quick, Sure Way to End Them nde told me nothing. That‘s by being a gentleman. You estion and he doesn‘t anâ€" you would answerâ€"but he en up attempting He rapidly demo; a really able man to Maynard that truck m I‘m quit 1y words," one of them ted in the Sales,. He‘ll to another department later he‘ll go to all of imford will go to his tirement"â€"as the sayâ€" shall be calling that idea? Pal of William‘s ons were made in no Ferguson spoke diffiâ€" you think Mr. Mayâ€" ) on. ve in him, a of the week C1 the secrecy ood ne ~system worked but hap, isn‘t he?‘ t old Mumforc bout him." said Maynard closer contac! others. Mavynard adâ€" fellow 1@ ppyV as told me hat he made him. If he‘d in London. it? William ikesâ€"â€"within TABLETS houlders s, I supâ€" ht to m chap, it of them 3( T‘C @ick nex son pu to wor! elicence. most of _to find nstrated and | ie ha Mayvâ€" more iWA V He‘s anyv tC "Goodspeed‘s getting a bit past it, I Iknow. But then so are many of us. We haven‘t done badly., all things considâ€" ered. But this chap FPerguson worries me. It‘s absurd you should have a man in yvour office of whom you know absoâ€" ting alone in the dining room of her aunt‘s house. .... thinking. The wireless was turned on but the wireless always was turned on in the evening in that room. Mary Donovan. however, had long accustomed herself not to listen if she didn‘t want to. Neither the Dance Music, the Talk, nor the Gramophone Records interfered with her thoughts. which,. that evening, were of Ferguson. There was something sad in his face, something disillusioned. There was a gentleness in him, some subtle thing she associated with psople who had "Why not have x chat with him? You‘ll have a dozen grouches to work off on that Department anyway, if I know you." "I have and all!" said Old Rossiter. ‘"Be lieve me or not, I sent an order through from Maybury of Reading ... "Then you ask Mr. John Fingal Ferâ€" guson about it," smiled Mr. Mumford, "and toell me afterwards what you think of him.‘" Nor was the curiosity limited to the male staff, for Mary Donovan was sit~ "He‘s rot the man his father was." "Don‘t you believe it! You‘ll be at the office in the morning?" "Of course. What do you think I came here for?" "The pleasure of seeing me!" "I might have a worse reason, old friend lutely nothing. It‘s Usually he takes o into his confidence did." cile‘ men "He‘s a gentleman, a man of considâ€" erable education, and I should say he has been in a position of authority. Yet there‘s something docile about him." "There‘s always been something ‘doâ€" cile‘ about that durned Sales Departâ€" "Why do you ask?" "HMe‘s just turned up here. William sent him. himself." "What is he?" "A clerk, William took up his referâ€" enceâ€"â€"or said he did. I know nothing whatever about him,. A man about thirtyâ€"five or forty. Seems a very able fellow. I put him in the Sales Departâ€" ment." able. It‘s about time yo intelligent in there." Mr. Mumford smiled and them "HMe wasn‘t at the London office?" "No. I‘m certain he wasn‘t. Besides, yor know he wasn‘t." k "There are people there I don‘t know and I thought he might be one of asked his guest as they were drinking their final whisky and soda. "No." "HMe wasn‘t at the London office?" Then I hope to goodness that he i: e, It‘s about time you had somebody C A N A DIAN C â€"ELECTRIC | CANADIAN RADIG PATENTS, LIMITED CGENERAL ELECTRIC radio sets comply with the Canadian 1 Code and are liceased by ROSSITER APPROVES GENERAL@ELECTRIC instantly â€" silently â€" automatically. You merely touch a buttonâ€"and there‘s your program! Tuned to hairâ€"line precision. Touch Tuning with the 1938 de luxe General Electric Radios is truly automatic. No dials to twirl â€" no tedious waiting ! GIVE YOURSELF THIS ‘I‘ry Touch Tuning at your nearest Gâ€"E Radio dealer‘s. See how simple it is to tune in your favourite stations â€"with Gâ€"E Magic Tone that is unbelievably trueâ€"toâ€"life. NEW Gâ€"E RADIO "TUNES ITSELF‘ g. It‘s so unlike William. ikes old colleagues like us on the the dining room of her thinking. The wireless but the wireless always Gâ€" TOUWCH TUNHULNCG JL d; he had heard Sales Department MODEL F127 234 Canada Northern Power Corporation lLAmited The George Taylor H Controlling and Operating Northern Ontario Power Co., Limited Korthern Quebec Power Co., Limited as his fathet very _DIg run.: ‘"Don‘t I know it? Haven‘t I sold hundreds of that line? Didn‘t I tell you and the nitwits in the stock room to get stock up?" . ‘"By the way, let me introduce Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Rossiterâ€" our chief London traveller." "How do you do?" said Old Rossiter. "Hope to goodness you can liven this department up a bit." Maynard winked at Ferguson over Old Rossiter‘s shoulder. "The goods were despatched to Readâ€" ing yvesterday by passenger train withâ€" in a quarter of an hour of their getting here from the factory,." Ferguson told him "Morning. What about that order from Maybury‘s? What‘s the good of my getting orders if you can‘t get the stuff off to the date it‘s ordered?" "I‘m sorry, Mr. Rossiter. But you struck a lire on which there‘s been a very big run." ‘"Don‘t I know it? Haven‘t I sold hundreds of that line? Didn‘t I tell you suflfered. She had heard most of what Maynard had said to Mr. Mumford a@bout., him. and her own observations had confixmed the verdict that he was a clever man. What was he doing there as a clerk? Why had he taken a position which put him off altogether from his old lifeâ€"whatever and wherever that was? Why did he volunteer no information about himself? Was he married? She knew nothing whatever about him:; she had no facts on which to base You‘re sure? CHOOSE A 1938 CGENERAL ELECTRIC for all the newest and finest features â€" superb cabinets with handâ€"rubbed finish â€" and for today‘s greatest radio value., Gâ€"L Radios are priced as lcm; as $34.75, and a {ew dollars down delivers any model to vyour home. Illustrated is the distinguished 12â€"tube console with all the finest features, including Touch Tuning., Remote control accessory, $19.50 extra, # # # * # provides Touch Tuning from your armchair. 1A A D0 E C( A N A Q@uebec Chronicleâ€"Telegraph:â€"If you find it hard to climb and want the rest of the people pulled down to where you are, that‘s Communism. Um..‘.. it‘s not quite as bad as I thought it was, then." Old Rossiter stumped into Mr. Mumâ€" ford‘s office a few minutes later: "I‘ve seen the mystery man!" he said. ‘"Well?" "He‘s a good chap!" "I‘m very glad to hear it," said Mr. Mumford. So, too, was Mary Donovan. sitting demurely in front of her typewriter. (To be cofiinued.) "~Quite. We advised Messrs. Maybury that they would be delivered today, and explained the delay." "But I was there on Thursday!" "Possibly. They had the letter this morning, of course." Um..‘... it‘s not quite as bad as I thought it was, then." C O0O.,; Limite d ardware Limittd M A DE 1J C A NA D A PAGE THRrEF® Râ€"37c