The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-09-03

and for n moment he seemed in i0uht as
TO whether he were not c~ouversinG with a
~lunatic. He shrugged up his shoulders
as a Frenchman wolll have done. "EX-
cuse my establishment. Crouch" he said.
incredulously: Il never contemplated you
until this instant in the somewhat novel
character of a matchmaker"
Il can get you out of debt. Sir r.. in
deed / can said the rough visitor. earn
estly. Il can set you free from duns. and
make your life easy to you-for your life.
at least"
Il should be satisfied with that" said
Sir Richard. What l want you 10 do is
to come to the point"
I'm coming to it. Sir r." was the
mans sullen answer. Now. you must
know. l get my bread as a jet hunter on
the Yorkshire coast. A nice business it
is. Why, only last week l was all but
drowned. buried alive. along with others
of the gang. in a quicksand. I'd not have
been here to-day. Sir r.. but for a young
~jacklnapes."
You were very much obliged to the
~jackanapes. no doubt said the baronet
showing his white teeth.
Il hate the curly-headed. dandy chap.
with his gentleman airs, as l hate poi
SON.. srowled Rufus; but that's neither
here nor there. l only spoke 10 say what
a calling 1t is for a man who has seen
better days. Well. Sir r.. our captain,
as we jet hunters call him, has a house
IN beckdale, and that part Of the coast
being rich in jet, and as we'll known to
old Obadiah as his farnrard is to any
farmer. has come TO be in a sense our
headquarters. Now-you see | am open
with you. Sir Rim Woodburn parish,
ay. and in Woodhurn Parsonage, lives the
young lady whom l should like 10 see as
Lady Mortmain.'
Indeed. May l ask her namc:' de-
manded Sir Richard.
Her name, Sir r." returned the man,
grudgingly, but with emphasis. lis Violet
Violet by name. | should say. and by
nature, for she is a timid. pretty young
lady. nineteen years of age. and knows
nothing Of the worlds ways, and just as
little of the fact that she's a great heir
ess."
Upon my word said the baronet,
coolly. you have traced a very charming
portrait of rural loyeliness and simplicity.
And what is the amount of the fortune
which she has unconsciously the power TO
bestow:"
The fortune" replied Rufus slowly.
and fixing his small. keen eyes upon the
white. impressive face of his aristocratic
host. was at the first seventy thousand
pounds. 1t must be a goodish biz more by
this, rolling up as it has been for years.
Think. Sir r.. what such a heap of ready
cash would be TO you"
There came a flash into Sir Richards
sleepy. dark eyes. and his whole counte-
nance seemed 10 brighten. Sure Of the
sum total. Crouch:' he asked. eagerly.
The fellow nodded.
Now for her surname. them inquired
the Unconstitutional if it were SneekS or
Sniggs could condone it, if only there's
no mistake as 10 the money
No. Sir r." interrupted the ex-gold
digger. gruttly. And there's just as lit
tie mistake as 70 the young lady that
owns it. Miss Violet Mowbray is her
name. and from all | hear the Mowhrays
are as good IL even The Mortmains. so far
a. pedigree goes. This Young girl is an
orphan. She has a small income. and her
guardian. a tough ptl City bachelor. ar
ranged for her "a reside with his own
niece. our parsons wife. Mrs.. L.angton.
She has grown up in that quiet nook. and
knows no more ii the thumping sum she
j, entitled 70 than l do whether it will
freeze or thaw next Christmas"
How 10 You know Of it. Rufus:" asked
the baronet. Some will. eh. that formed
part Of Your spoil IN leaving Your former
.employcr>:"
Not a will" answered Crouch. with n
wink. Wills may be revoked. and codi-
Gil, added. but this is a snugGer sort Of
thing. This is a trust deed. But that is
about all | have TO tell gratis. Sir K. Mort
main. Baronet."
And, indeed. nothing more by the most
skillful diplomacy could be extr,cted
from Rufus. He certainly Ind not
brought the valuable document with him.
nor would he give any further Informal
ton Is 10 its contents until a b"rgain
had been struck. and his own rncompcnse
or share agreed 10. Nor would he o. that
occasion. name his price-that was A mat
ter for future consideration. What he de-
sired 10 know was whether Sir Richard
would come into il" heart and soul. and
take Immediate steps 10 bring the scheme
u Il successful conclusion. Sir Richard
Was ready enough TO lend his aii. but he
deinurrel 20 taking what lie called IA
leap in the dark"
Il don't ask You 10 marry. Sir r." said
the former confidential clerk Of Lawyer
Bowman a. last. without better security
than my bare word that the rides little
hand i weighted with much g,l1. My
interest and yours 90 In the same .lnoyp