Page 7 Advertisements Column 3

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11746, 24 September 1902, Page 7

T) O W E R F U L TIT 0 R X OF A ' SENSATIONAL CHARACTER. A STORY OF LOVE, MYSTERY, AND CRIME. Wo have made arrangements to Publish in our Columns a New and Exciting Work of Fiction by a Popular Serial Writer. We refer to Mr john E , L n S , 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—T) RIN T, HE IHUMB —JL RI N T,AND THE OPENING CHAPTERS WILL APPEAR IN OUR SUPPLEMENT ON SATURDAY NEXT, the 27th 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 to marry him. It is not till they reach the West Indies that the lawyer gives any indication to his friend of the nature of his mission. To the consternation of both, com-, pardon of facts reveals that if Gascoigci: is successful his friend will be disinherited ; Gascoigne had not been aware that Mr Underwood was Ashley's uncle; and Ashley did not know that his uncle and the lawyer's client were one and the s.ame man. Both the travellers • are' too honourable, however, to allow this new knowledge to influence them. GaScbigne' learns a. great deal concerning the "inis'sing heii\ He is reckless and vicious l, 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 that 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 paying court to her. He learns from her aunt, confidentially, why Ella won't marry, and cunningly conceives the idea of blackmailing Ella in order to 'gain her consent. He goes up to London and matures his plan, and on his return appears1 as a champion who 'wishes to deliver her from the threatened ruin of her life. Gerald Ashley often goes uip to Porchester House, where Ella is. staying, and cne afternoon, just as he leaves the hotel, two visitors arrive, who call themselves Canadians; they catch sight of Ashley, an 3, si'ddenly changing their minds, return to London immediately. Meanwh^e 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 filially tells Gerald her secret, Ivliioh is concerning her birth. Gerald and s>he become engaged, and the same afternoon GeraJd has a scene with Mullen in the hotel, endeavouring to get some papers from the Irislvman by force. The manager and several others have to interfere. The same night GeraH foolishly plays pokei; with several men, &nd loses so heavily that he has to write out several 1.6.U.'.?, which find their way into Mullen's hands. Next morning Mullen ?s found dead in bed, murdered. A very strong situation is thus .created, as all the circumstances point to Gera'td Ashley as the murderer. His friend Gascoigne has an unalterable belief in Gerald's' I innocence, and makes Herculean efforts tc get up a strong case for his defence. It is in connection with this that the most exciting incidents and scenes 'took place: Littlo by little the tangled skein of mystery 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 th>_story, which is of a character to please all lovers of wholesome serial fiction.

READ THE mH U M B—T) It IN T, HE IHUM B— JL RIN T, BY JOHN X , L » S , THE OPENING CHAPTERS WILL APPEAR IN OUR SUPPLEMENT On SATURDAY, 27th S E P T-, 1902: