Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-30

chosen for cOnfidant. He had had no
choice, however, and he was in the
humor to drift with the tide. So he
lighted cigar and comm snced:
I've been ID fool, | suppose,
any rate. You can judge for yourself
You know was in California and Mex
leo the year before last-went out by
j.. & o. to India and Japan and on to
San Francisco. / came back through
New York and Boston, and people
would send me out letters to friends
there and 1t seemed ungracious not to
leave few, 50 made good many
friends there. Mr.. Heyesdean was one
Of them. | became engaged to his
daughter
Lord Marlborough paused for mo
ment and knocked the ash from his CT
gar. II this man had been friend he
would have talked about her. AS 1t
was, he avoided the subject. Mr.. Mas
singers opinion OF and bearing toward
the sex was well known.
II did not find that Mr.. Hoyesdean
was overjoyed at the prospect of hay-
ing me for son-in-law; at any rate,
he did not appear SO. He would have
preferred an American, think, but he
did not offer any formal objections He
asked me no questions as to my means,
and this little irritated me, | think
One night he was explaining to me
how rapidly he had made some part of
his huge fortune. and | asked him
whether he could invest any money for
me to advantage. He should be very
pleased. he told me politely and with
some surprise. / was a little nettled-
che doesn't care - be thought a pau
per-and | cabled the next day to my
solicitor and instructed him to mort
gage the whole of the Lillroot and un-
entailed Marlborough property on
special terms. redeemable in twelve
months. 1t was done, and just before
left the states | handed Mr.. loves
dean draft for f4s,0O0 and begged him
to let me have the result Of his invest
ment within twelve months"
Forty Eight thousand pounds" Mr..
Massinger repeated, in wondering
tone. My God!
Yes, it's a good deal Of money. isn't
it," Lord Marlborough continued,
quietly. Il had not the slightest APP
prehensicn however, for Mr.. Hoyesdean
was everywhere spoken of as being one
of the richest men in America and per-
sonally | had every confidence in him.
The mortgage falls on the day after to-
morrow | told Mr. Hoyesdean by
what date wanted the money, and he
cabled three weeks ago to say that he
was coming on the Umbria. The I'm
bria arrived in Liverpool a week today,
and have moi seen or heard OF Mr..
Hoyesdean The day before yesterday,
as you know, the papers were full of the
gigantic Hovesdean failure"
isn't there a report that Mr. Hoves-
dean actually did come to England by
the Umbra2'' Mr. Massinscr asked,
flashing keen sidelong look at his
companion. Il suppose you have made
some inquiries?"
THAT is So Lord Marlborough an
swered Il have been to Scotland
Yard and employed private detective.
A Mr. Hoyesdean certainly did cross on
the Umbria, accompanied by lady who
was called his daughter What has be-
come OF them since they landed is a
mystery 1t is possible that he is in
England and under the circumstances
cannot bring himself to let me know his
whereabout; on the other hand, he may
have gone straight to the continent"
Pardon me-" said Mr.. Massinger, a
little diffidently, but presume you
correspond with the young lady"
Naturally" Lord Marlborough inter
rupted "Her letters ceased abruptly
three weeks ago. | have cabled six
times and had no reply"
did her last letter hint at any trou-
bier Mr.. Massinger inquired
"She merely remarked that her ia
Their had met with some unexpected an
noyance, think, was her word, and
would possibly leave England a week
earlier than he intended
Mr. Massinger threw away his cigar.
You've been treated villianouslly,
Lord Marlborough he said. "Of
course Y0n We READ the papers. l6u ~
seen that the firm of which Hovesdean
was the head has been hopelessly IN
solvent for years"
Lord Marlborough bowed his head !.
He had no words at his command,
$50 that he must have known TINT
ne was simply rcbbing you when ne
took that money" Mr.. Massinger con
tinued calmly.
Lord Marlborough WINGED. Could nor
the man see that every word was
stab?
Exactly he said, coldly. There
was moments silence. II could not
be said that Mr. Massnger's sympathy
was oyerpowering. The two men had
turned and were walking back again
down Piccadilly At Mr.. Masslnger !
instigation they turned into side
street.
Don't think me induisitiye, he said
.'but are you as hard hit as men say
over the I.eicestershire?
Lord Marlborough bit his lip
Are they taxing about IT," he said
quietly. We'll. Lady Flora's beating
Il