Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-24

II ~ lIl tO v -
erend gentleman that his own better
half was not by to hear these words,
and to mark the admiring look that ac-
companied them. But, after all. what
would yot; have? We cannot all or Us
be Saints Anthony.
Zana needed the words but little,
and the look not ut all. Enough Tor
her that Ernest. had not called. Dut
that. il he should, he would get her
letter. So she thanked the secretary,
and was driven back to Craven street.
1t was too late, that day, to visit the
banks; but she got a list or them
and stared blankly at the long columns
Of names, wondering how long 1t would
take her to inquire ut them all.
The following day she began the
weary pilgrimage, commencing Ut
Charing Cross and working citywards.
She thus had to call at a great many
hanks before she ut length entered the
London and Westminster. There she
Glanced to address her inquiries to
the casheier who had acted as Sofner-
ville's guide.
'Mr. Ernest NortonT he said. "Oh.
YES, miss. He called here the other
day-upon the 18th. We expect an
other visit from him shortly, but he
left no address"
Zana uttered a little cry of glad sur
prise. AT last she had discovered
traces of her lover. True, four days
had elapsed since he had visited this
bank: but 1t was much to know that
he had been there, and that he was
expected to return shortly. The cash
Ter looked MT her ~curiously, admirirg-
ly. Who might she be, this d~ark-eyed,
olive-skinned beauty, who was inqnir'
ing so eagerly for Mr.. Ernest Norton?
The affair savored of romance, and the
cashier apart from his Official work.
was Of a rather romantic disposition.
'If there is anything | can do for
you," he remarked, 'in the way Of de-
livering Il message or L letter to Mr..
NortonY'
"Oh, yes, if you please.' said Zana,
eagerly And she there and then
wrote a few lines upon Il slip of bank
paper. which she Enclosed, together
with her address, in an envelope sup
piled by the obliging cashier. She felt
strongly tempted to loiter about. in
the hope that Ernest might revisit
the bank that day: but the hustle
around scared her; an idle person
seemed uttrely out OF place in so busy
q scene: and she retraced her steps to
the Strand. Then she wrote to Mrs.
Baxter. telling her Of her want OF
| success, so far, but full of confidence
In the speedy realization of her mis-
sion.
Three more weary days elapsed, and
each day she called at the bank, only
to meet with fresh disappointment.
Her former superstitious fears now
returned in full force, and she could
scarcely resist the conviction that Ern-
est must, in very sooth, be dead. With
feverish anxiety she scanned the news
papers, dreading, yet expecting, to fine
| confirmation of her worst fears; bur
they were silent as to her missing
lovers fate. Certain advertisements,
however, caught her eye, and suggest
ed fresh means of pursuing her inqui-
res. Other persons had missing
friends, also, and advertised for them.
She would do the same. Moreover,
she found that there were private in
quiry offices specially devoted to such
Investigations. She copied down the
address Of one such office, in Exeter
street, and called there.
She was received by n stout, middle
aged man, who, upon learning the ma
ture of her business, professed himself
absolutely sure of tracing Ernest Nor
ton.
Make your mind quite easy, MISS
he said, reassuringly. "Such cases
come in my way every day, and L
scarcely know what failure means.
Just obl.ge me with such details as you
can of the gentleman's last movements,
together with a description OF his per-
sopal appearance. You don't happen
to have a photograph of him. do youI'
mo-" answered Zana; butt can de-
scribe him accurately" This she ac-
cordingly did, and the stout man (who
informed her that his name was Josiah
skinner was soon in possession OF all
she knew concerning Norton's move
ments.
mo cause whatever for anxiety" he
remarked, CHANGING through his notes.
Called on his bankers upon the 7th
inst, and is expected to call again
shortly. OF course he will, as soon as
he needs more money. Meanwhile he
has taken a trip to Brighton, or to
Paris, perhaps. 1t Is really scarcely
worth while placing so simple a case
In my hands, though, Of course, / shall
do my best to discover the gentle
mans present whereabouts. My fee?
Well. suppose WI say five pounds to
go on within
Here are fifty pounds said Zana,
placing q bank note of that amount in
his hand. Find Ernest Norton, and
you shall have ten times as much"
The agent glanced 1T the note and
then at her. The former was obvious
ly a good one, and she, just as obvi-
ously. was in downright earnest. Such
a client did not visit Exeter street
every day.
Very well. miss" he remarked, after
a pause. 'Tll take this money and
push the Inquiries as quickly as posi-
bic. An advertisement in the agony
column Of a coup.,c of the dailies might
not be amiss, as IL start"
DO what you please was the re-
ply Spare No expense, but-fnd Esrn-
est Norton
Thcre was a ring Of piteous appeal