Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-08-17
CHAPTER XI.-Continued.)

to have so much money" he began.
Don't try to-" interrupted Beatrice,
impatiently. Briefly, / have come
into possession of several thousand
dollars. / choose to spend the money
as l like. I offer you $500 to help me.
Do you agreeT"
Yes, indeed!"
First, my identity and plans are to
be Il dead secret between us, now Ii
hereafter
Trust me for that"
Next, you are to obey me impli-
city.
with such pay for my services, 1
am your slave
very good. First and foremost, /
wish you to go now, and at once, and
learn all you can about the where
abouts of Raymond Marshall"
Eli" calculated the doctor, with a
start. Il don't think he is in the vii
lage."
'Then ascertain where he is"
"TH try"
"Next, find out about the whispered
financial complications in the affairs
of his father, Col. Marshall"
THAT is more easy"
And report progress to me as soon
as you can"
There shall be no delay"
DR.. Simms departed. Beatrice looked
excited, s~uspenseful.
The ball SET in motion-oh! with a
trusted ally and unlimited wealth. /
cannot fail in the scheme / have
adopted"
She counted the hours until late in
the afternoon. Her face underwent
vivid changes of color and expression
as there was a knock at the door
finally.
Come In" =.
1t was her ally, DIR. Simms.H He looked
tired and excited.
"Well?" she demanded imperiously.
1--WE had an afternoon of it,"
"You have found Raymond Mar
shall?'
He returned home this morning"
"FrOm wEercE'
"Erom a fruitlcss, hcartbroken quest
for that girl be WAS spoony on at the
seminary. the enc who disappeared SO
MyStrrioasly.'
"Edra Deanc, you mcan?'
Yes; that's the name. He's been
searching for her every wilere, neglect
liz; business, growing thin and pale
that they say he is fast breaking down"
And his father
added trouble there, Dark rumors
say that his business integrity is at
stake, that a financial crash threatens.
/ made circumspect, but close inquiries.
He Is at the oiiice OF the lawyer now.
s.fiyiug TO adjust affairs. You see
You nccC not tell me more" inter
rupted Beatrice, impatiently. Il know
more than you 60 probably, about that.
AT the lawyers Officer she continued,
arising and putting on her wraps. Re
port to me here about eight O'Clock
this evening"
'YOu are NOT gcing?'
"Iu the lawyers office myself
She left the hotel alone. In ten min
ntps size entered the outer room of the
offices of the lawyer her informant had
referred to.
She sank 10 & chair near the half
opcn door OF the compartment marked
Private" adjoining. Then she bent
her ear and listened eagerly.
Voices sounded quite clearly. Her
eyes gIow.d with satisfaction as she
realized that accident had enabled her
to enter tIc office and linger upper
ceiyed. Her heart beat quicker as she
recognized the broken, pleading tones
of Col. Marshall, Raymond's father,
and the WORDS he uttered Were:
Ten thousand dollars! Impossible!
/ tell YOU that unless I have time, un-
less these documents are suppressed or
destroyed. ] an a ruined man!'
lust in time, / shall win. Every
thing favors met fell In n baleful,
triumphant mrirmur from the lips Of the
confident Beatrice Mercer.
CHAPTER XII.
saved.
Beatrice Mercer drew nearer to the
half-open door. as those ominous words
Souulded forth
Unless those documents are sup
pressed or destroyed, / am a ruined
mani!
A strong mar spoke then, but the
voice. while mournful, bore a token Of
pleading desI,airing agony.
The listener knew that the speaker
was tie father of Raymond Marshall.
! What she already knew of his business
| combinations had brought her to Hope
| dale. 1t was through the father that
she relied upon reaching the son.
There was the rustling of papers
| ami then the lawyers voice reached
| her ars
II am very sorry, Col Marshall, but
l have my orders to act"
"You can defer action"
II would violate my duty to my eli
| ents IL l deferred it a day longer"
.'Then-'
"ro morrow I 60 into court and sub
nit these documents. They represent a
| personal Indebtedness of $4,000. They
represent your Enforcement for $1,000
| more. The d.strs ssing feature OF the
| ,,tter amount Is that the alleged maker
| OF the note denies its validity. In other
words. il Is a forgery"
= groa rang from the lips OF the
unhappy IGan.
"You are right" he murmured In a
| hollow, broken tone of deep despair
"Mly pAesopal Indebtedness does not
worry Use. ] should have been
| called uron to bear II, for / never per
splally contracted a dollar OF II. How
eve-. penary. restitution myself and
rnmily might bonorably endure, but dis
| honor. newer. If that S2,OO0-dcilai
claim Is presented In COURT
.You win be accused Of forgery