Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-01-29
AVENGED AT LAST:
Or, a Worldwide Chase.
A STORY OF RETRIBUTION.
By ""ABASH"
COPYRIGHT, 1901

CHAPTER VH.-CoNTINuED.
"Who claims our protection?" asked
His friend and counsellor.
''Armida Delaro," was the reply.
''Who has designs on that sweet
areature?" asked the millionaire. Then
IercD told all he had seen and heard
Shat night.
"This mysterious man is undoubted-
" bestowing his attentions on Armid>
Dor a purpose of his own, and as it only
9istresses her we must stop it"
t'YOu seem very much afraid that
ArmIda is falling into danger in that
0an's presence, but don't you think that
ehe is able to care for herself?'
sEhat may be-" said Percy. "but IL I
9 0istake not, that man is a designing
old villain, and the less he sees OF
AArmida the better. l do not like his
looks and he reminds me too much Of
Che man we are looking for.
At. these words Mr.. Wilcox sat bolt
upright in his chair. He was full Of in
oeeest now.
~How do you mean? Does this fellow
assemble him in featuresY he asked.
AS l never had much opportunity
Dor Nas ever sufficiently interested in
$telasquez' features to examine them
pa not positively say, but il this man
Books like him he certainly does not
H0alk like him, for Velasquez stopped q
eittae and this man is upright almost 60
Absurdity. No, what / mean is that
his character and method OF action is
cot such as I should imagine Ve1asouez'
20 be. 1 only wish he had been Velss-
Vuez."
Guess I'll havo to take good look
ct that gent in the morning and see
Nhat he looks like. It won't do to have
any suspicious characters buzzing
around Armida. even IL they are ship
owners"
~Armids says he has invited her and
Zee mother to take . few days sail in
BIS yacht"
sDid she accept?"
~No, che gave Q quiet but very post
6Se denial. He also told her some story
about burying . wife years ago in Italy.
md altogether has been quite commu-
kaicasiye with her." said Percy, between
che puffs at his cigar.
~Well, we can make IL impossible for
Aim 20 get snotheP chance Of annoying
bee during the remainder OF our stay
here, and when we get back 20 New
York it 10 hardly possible that he will
Aeet u.s."
sDpe good thing about it is that our
address is not yet settled upon, so we
eau not give it TO him." was Percys last
semark. Then the subject changed q
1ittle, although Arnida was still the
0oe discussed.
Mr.. Wilcox leaned on the table, and
Wtth pleasant smile on his face he
9Ooked across at the man seated oppo-
cite to him.
s'Percy," he said, ''you ere a good
deal older than Armida. but tell me
BOW, like a man. don't you :ove her?''
The question was 50 sudden that Per
cy was non-plussed He blushed,
glanced at his feet. and then up at his
enployer, Who should more properly be
called his friend: then he answered
tfanlkly: YES, sir. do.''
e-Just what have imagined for some
16uae," said the old man. Then he re-
marked inquiringly: ''But you have nov
- told her Of it?"
s<No, never have, and FOR the pres.
eat do not intend to do So"
s'For what reason?"
sEirss and foremost, I am too poor"
s'That is no reason at all. You have
sacrificed your future to help me and
nm responsible for your poverty, and in
bike manner I am morally responsible
eOr your future wel!-being and shall
make 1t my business to see that you
get your share OF the good things OF
this world Ihave plenty and TO spare
end guess when you want 60 marry
Armada, you can get al the money you
want for the asking"
This was long speech for Mr.. Will.
COG to make, but it was in good faith.
s-Yet" Percy replied, ''the probabili-
ties ere that II you had not taken me
out of San Francisco should be still as
Roor a ever"
~Nsy. not 50. Percy; you have ability
ond - would have been developed Look
ct the way you have handled my affairs.
Cor instance. Haven't I followed your
advice i'm sll my Investments, and
esven't they psid veil In nine cases
cut OF temp"
-Still ives only doing my duty to you
% youe servant"
sTaercy Beaufort Lowell" said the
eood-hearted millionaire. II have often
cold you that ! object to the word sercdNt
ecisg used and applied to yourself It
may go over in England. but it don't
- here, so please don't use It."
NOW fercy knew that when Mr.. WILCOX
addressed him BY his full name the
old gentleman was annoyed, SO he felt
1e must do something to please him
md bring him back to his usual even
temperament 'It is kind Of you to place
such entire confidence in me, Mr.. Will
Box" he said, ''but even if did accept
youe assistance L could not ask Armida
. marry me at present. I have sworn
- myself to follow up every trail find
entil that vile Yelasquez meets his
deserts and until we find him or proof
- his death, can not settle down. At
Guy moment 7 might have to go of to
. distant part Of the country or abroad
end under such circumstances wife
could De Q burden. Moreover, my
thoughts are % intent upon the work of
summing her fathers murderer to earth,
Chat in my abstractedness at times she
might think that did not love her.
Then there 10 another matter quite
1orth consideration. Suppose she would
DOT have me?"
Hardly any fear that she would re-
Suse you, my boy. can't see through
. brick wall, but can see through a
1adder, and if that girl is not in love