Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-09-04

Weurleu JET hunters QeSlSteQ from tuelr
task, and fell asleep around their fires Of
wreck wood.
CHAPTER VIII.
Some ten days, or twelve. had elapsed
since Rufus Crouch, eX-gold digger and
present jet hunter, called SO unexpectedly
at the Mortmain mansion in Hyde Park.
The morning was n bright and sunny
one. with but few lazy clouds of fleecy
whiteness smiling across the blue sky. as
the Rector of Woodburn, with his family,
returning after weekday service from
the church hard by, saw, slowly riding
out of the parsonage garden. a gentleman,
followed by a mounted groom. The
stranger lifted his hat with pleasant
smile, and instantly dismounted and
threw the reins to his groom.
"Mr. Langton:" he said. inquiringly.
'Allow me to he my own introducer. My
name is Mortmain-Sir Richard Mort
main-a ncighbor of yours. since have
just arrived ut Hclston. and have taken
the liberty of coming across to call at the
Rectory, emboldened by the fact. Mr..
14angton. of my fathers old friendship
with YOURSELF
"Most happy 10 make your acquaint-
s*>>NNs
ton. genuine pleasure in his eyes and tone
as he stretched out his hand in greeting.
''Ycs, l knew your father. the late Sir
Richard. and was under no tritiing obliga
tions to him. as You are perhaps aware.
1t was he who. when my health broke
down, presented me to the living of Wood
burn here. of which yoN. of course. are the
patron as he was. Allow me to Introduce
IN, INV I
of very old and kind friend. who will
always he welcome under my poor roof"
| So Sir Richard was made known to
Mrs. Langton. and to pretty Violet Now
bray, and to the olive branches of the
l4angton family now at home-two girls
! and n boy. in the hobbledhoy stage Of life.
And Sir Richard smiled and bowed, and
spoke very nicely and not too much. and
acted his self-imposed part with consunl-
mate care and skill.
Then followed hearty invitation to
luncheon at the parsonage. "You must
break bread with US" the rector insisted"
The groom and horses, therefore. were
sent down to the village inn, while the
baronet, becoming at each instant more
and more Mt home with his kindly enter
tainers, walked on with them toward the
house.
Sir Richard was bird of much brighter
plumage than any that harbored near
WOodburn, and, once that he found him
self accepted at his own valuation, he
did his very best that his singing should
please the ears and tickle the imagina-
tion of his auditors. Then he talked of
Helston, and Of his own design to live
there, to render the neglected old place
trim and orderly, and to cultivate neigh
borly relations with those who had for
merly been known to himself or his father.
Luncheon was over. The fernery, the
tiny hot house. the exquisite peeps ut the
sea, which. through overhanging ivy-tan-
giles and festoons of noisette roses. the
different windows afforded, had been one
and all exhibited and admired. Even the
albums of photographs and rare seaweed
on the drawing room tables had been sur
veyed. John Langton's top ship. Il model
schooner, four feet long. of the construc-
tion and rigging of which the boy was
very proud. though frank enough to own
how much assistance he had received
from "Nr. Don," was next shown. "l
should never have got her SO taut and
smart by myself" said the youngster;
''but then, Don is such fine fellow!"
"And who is Mr.. Don? A Spanish
sailor, presume, or possibly Neopoli-
tan, since they use the Spanish title
tlere?" asked Sir Richard, trying not to
yawn.
Mr.. Langton took it upon himself to
answer. ''It is difficult he said, with a
smile, ito say what Mr.. Don is, and what
he is not. never had pupil to match
him. He is the handsomest lad from here
to Sunderland, and about the boldcst. He
is only jet hunter. living by Il precarious
industry peculiar to our sea coast, but out
of crowd you would at once select him
as gentleman. though whence he came
or what was the rank of his parents, no
one knows. A fine fellow, Don!
II am sure of it, returned Sir Rich
ard, with every appearance of interest.
Then the baronet's groom and horses came
round to the door, and there was hearty
leave taking, with pledges Of future
friendship, and the visitor rode off grace-
fully toward his lonely home at Helston.
"a good beginning" he muttered. II
saw the girls eyes glisten more than once.
II can touch her youthful fancy, and it
is all right about the money, why, then!''
and he rode on.