Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-09-18
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CHAPTER Mi.


er's password, my chap:'
Sir Richard, perplcxcd and impatient.
returned no verbal answer, but tapped
again with his whip.
''If you haven't got the password then.
don't care to listen to your pattcr. so
sheer off, if You value Il whole skin. my
man-tramp yokel. or pctldler, whatever
you be-"
"Why, Croucil:" exclaimed the bewil-
dered barOnet.
Apparently the ferocio,s inmate of the
hovcl recognized the voice of his visitor
for the grating sound of rusty bolts was
heard and tine Mncouth figure of Rufus
Crouch, with his shaggy red beard and
scowling face appeared in the doorway.
80 it's You, is it. Sir II. Mortmnin,
Earonet:' gruttly demanded the hermit
of this singular hermitage. eycing his
guest with sullen stare.
And a queer reception. to say the
least of it. have met WITH" replied Sir
Richard. trying to laugh and to look I'M
concerned.
walk in, Sir r.; you are free of the
hut"
With some slight hesitation the baronet
stepped across that ill-omcned threshold.
Mice little crib-tidy little box, el,. Sir
R.:' asked the rufIianly master of the
hovcl. 'Not quite up to the mark of your
swell house in Hyde Park. Yet it's what
I've come to. No one knows what he
may come to, Sir II. Mortmain, Baronct-
does he. now? Who can tell what might
happen to yourself? The cells at Mill
bank and Portland are trim, and kept we'll
whitewashcd, to be sure, and the beds
are of good cocoanut fiber. and the cruel
and the soup and the bread and the eight
ounces of meat free from bone-but you
look quite pale, Sir II. Not ill, hopc?'
There was malignity in the mans
manner that was intentionally offensive.
Sir Richard, ghastly pale. and conscious
of his pallor, answered by hollow laugh.
as he tapped his polished boots with the
lash Of his riding whip.
II do wish, Crouch. that your vivid
imagination expended itself upon pleas
anter themes" he said. Here am in
Yorkshire, after a fashion by your invi-
tation, and as l hoped. for our mutual
benefit. Let us talk things over, then.
and try to arrive at a comfostab!c con-
clnsion."
I'm your man, Sir r." rejoined
Crouch. as he pushed IN empty barrel set
on end toward the visitor. PRAY be
seated."
The two confederates. so Unmatched
in all respects save that of unscrupulous-
ness. sat down, confronting each other.
The dogs without kept up a subdued cho-
rus of growing. Sir Richard Mortmain
was the first to speak. RUFUS, old
friend" he said. softly, 81 have not known
YOU so long without perceiving that some
thing has vexed you. l suspect it is the
failure of your jet hunting affair u,
Dutclman's Bay"
"Would you, Sir R., I'D like to KNOW
demanded Crouch, very austerely, shave
liked to have seven days such work as
never your white hands did in your life.
and then, because the beast of cliff
caved in. to bc cheated out Of your gains.
and hear whipper-snapper Of a boy like
that young Don. that all the ounces here
combine to worship, praised and flattered
because he saved a life or two at the end
of the job?'
II. for ono. think that Mr.. Don an
,ver-rated young fellow" said the baro-
act. with feigl,ed sincerity.
80 do 1! So do II" shouted Crouch.
vehemently, US he seized big stoneware
bottle and poured some of the fiery Hol-
lands it contained into glass and drain
ed it at draught. "Confusion to Don!
If could cut that young cocks proud
crest, I'D be happy. And now, Sir R.. I'd
like to know how you speed in your WOO
ing Is little Miss Violet willing yet to
be my lady?"
Have anything to get beyond a pref
ty face by what you are pleased to dcsi2.
nate as my wooing, Rufus:' replied the
baronet. with admirable patience. "I
can't afford, as you know. to marry a
portionlcss wife, and should like to have
peep at that trust deed before I posi-
lively commit myself by proposal, even
We're sure OF its acceptance"
"Sow. Sir H., do you take me for u
green hand or gone gony? I'd be
thankful to know" retorted Crouch, with
sort Of savage jocularity. DO you
really think ] keep sort of Doctors
Commons registry, where wills can be in
spected by the public at large for the
small fee Of one shillingY know what
i have got to sell, and what you have got
to buy, and the value Of it. But the
question is. Sir r., whether you please
the girls fancy, or believe you do, cnoug:,
to count on Yes II you asked for II.
You're an old hand, and should hav.
wheeling ways at command. And va;
are man Of title. Would little MI.
Violet take you, IL you pressed your sr., :.
Because II she wouldn't, it's labor los:.
couldn't marry her-a rough, ill-favo, ~
chap like me-" added the digger, rese.,.
fully; "but you are one of the smou. Z.
sort"
~ cannot tell" replied Sir R::s:.,ar..,
with apparent frankness "These Young.
inexperienced girls know SO little about
their own hearts that an outsider NAV
well he at fault. As friendly acaua;nt.
nnce. il not as a friend, l believe Miss
Mowbray does regard me. And as my
sister, Lady Thorsdale. is going to Assem-.
BILE a lot of fine company-or what does
duty for such--at the Park, my plan was
to Introduce the Langtons and their beau
;tiful ward, and in the stir and excitement
Of life new to Violet to-"
Pop the question, eh, Sir R.?' inter-
rnpted Rufus. "Ay, and zee, too, that
no sirlish whjm prevents it, being am