Page 7 Advertisements Column 3

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11745, 23 September 1902, Page 7

Powerful ' \jrr or k OF A SENSATIONAL CHARACTER. A STORY OF LOVE, MYSTERY, AND CRIME. Wo have made arrangements' to Publish in our Columns a Now'and Exciting Work of Fiction by a Popular Serial Writer. Wo refer to Mr JOHN R L EY S , I Author of "The Lindsays," "Under a Mask," "In the Toils," "The Broken Fetter, "A Million of Money,'" Etc., Etc. Our NEW STORY from his Pen is Entitled— THE mH U M B—l3 RIN T, HE IHUMB —X RIN T, I AND THE OPENING CHAPTERS WILL APPEAR IN OUR SUPPLEMENT ON ■SATURDAY NEXT, the 27t«h INSTANt. OUTLINE OF PART OF "THE THUMB PRINT." John Wentworth Gascoigne, barrister, :>«■ gloomily reflecting over his unsuccessful career wsen a solicitor calls to see if he will undertake a delicate .commission, for a wealthy client. Having overcome scruples arising from professional etiquette," Gascoigne undertakes the work. He is to trace the long-lost heir of Mr Underwood, and in return is to receive 1000 guineas plus expenses. Gascoigne invites as .companion his young friend Gerald Ashley, who is "cut-up" because Ella Westbury refuses toi marry him. It is not till they reach the West Indies that thei lawyer gives any indication to his friend of the nature of his mission. To the consternation of both, comparison of facts reveals that if Gascoigiy! is successful his friend will be disinherited; Gascoigne had not been aware that Mr Underwood was Ashley's uncle; and Ash- | ley did not know that his uncle and the lawyer's client were one ' and the same man. Both the travellers* are. too hon- [ ourable, however, to allow this new knowledge to influence them. Gascoigne learns! a great deal concerning the missing heir. He is reckless and vicious, and in no way fitted to succeed to his grandfather's estate. Shortly before leaving Demerarat the two Englishmen have an exciting adventure, which is to prove of significance later on. Attracted by a woman's screams one dark night, they rush to hey house, there to find her dead, and Ashley has a desperate encounter, with two thieves. He is left for dead; but as they escape, Gascoigne, who has been left behind in the race, sees their faces in the moonlight. On his return to England Gerald Ashley finds thart Ella Westbury and her maiden aunt are staying" at Lynmouth on the South Coast. He goes there and again (presses his attentions upon Ella, but although it is patent that she loves him she still declines to accept his proposals, alleging as her reason that there is some secret which prevents her from so doing. Staying at Lynmouth at the same time as a solicitor named Mullen, who, knowing that Ella has money, is jpaying court to her. He learns from her aunt, confidentially, why Ella won't marry, and cunningly conceives the idea of blackmailing Eiliai in order to gaan her consent. He goes? up to London and matures his plan, and on his return appears' as a champion who wishes to deliver her from the threatened ruin of her life. Gerald Ashley often goes uipi to Porchester House, where Ella isi staying, and cne afternoon, just as he leaves the hotel, two visitors arrive, who call themselves Canadians; they catch sight of Ashley, an!, suddenly changing their minds, return to London immediately. Mean win l c Gerald gets an inkling of Mullen's persecutions of Ella, and declares to the latter that, he will put a stop to Mullen's inter ference. Ella first remonstrates, but fin* ally tells Gerald her secret, 'vhioh is concerning her birth. Gerald and t-lie become engaged, and the same afternoon GeraJd has a scene with Mullen in the hotel, endeavouring to get some papers from the Irishman by force. The manager and several others have to interfere. The same night Gerald foolishly plays poke!) with several men, Mid loses so heavily that he has to write out several 1.0.U.'5, which find their way into Mullen's hands. Next morning Mullen is found dead in bed, murdered. A very strong situation is thus /?reafced, as all the circumstances point to Geraid Ashley as the murderer. His friend Gascoigne has an unalterable belief in Gerald'? innocence, and makes Herculean efforts to get up a strong case for his defence. It if» in connection with this that the most exciting incidents and scenes took place: Little by little the tangled skein of nays* tery is unravelled, and some startling revelations are made. We must not, of course, anticipate the climax; but we can promise our readers a powerful story of great interest. There is a strong and prominent love vein .present throughout thy story, which is of a character to please all lovers of wholesome serial fiction. READ THE mH U M B—T> RIN T, HE IhUMB —_L RIN T, BY J OHN X, L EYS ' THE OPENING CHAPTERS WILL APPEAR IN OUR SUPPLEMENT On SATURDAY, 27th 'S E PT, 1902: