The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-20

turn about and walk a little way with
her in order that they might talk about
Dora, but Miss Wheeler passed him
with no recognition except queer lit
tie nod that could hardly be called a
bow.
This proceeding was so obviously re-
lated to the events of the last few hours
at the hotel that not even a slow think
ing Englishman could be mistaken
about It. He lifted his hat with grave
courtesy and proceeded on his way to
the station, bordering deeply.
The Boston train had arrived. and the
clerk of the Walden House had gone
back to the hotel in a bus, so Perceval
remained only a moment at the station.
On Main street and almost in the ex-
act spot where Miss Wheeler had come
so near cutting him Mr.. Perceval met
Dora Barrows. When his eye first light
ed on her, he was conscious Of thrill
resembling fear lest she should treat
him as her friend had done. No such
catastrophe occurred, however. Dora
greeted him with the heartiest cordial
| ity consistent with maidenly modesty.
He was so delighted that he forgot to
let go OF her hand at the moment when
she seemed to expect him to do so. New
ertheless she was not offended.
Thank heaven, 1 still have a friend
In Walden!" said he.
well, it's a fact that you haven't
many" she replied, with a dlrectness
of speech and an earnestness of manner
which indicated that she considered the
subject too serious for the compliment
taFy commonplace of ordinary social
intercourse.
In the name Of all that's odd" he
cried. will you tell me what's the mat
ter? Is 1t New England prejudice
against the mother country"
1T is even more absurd than that -
said she. Il scarcely know how to tell
you what II is. You'll be mad clear
through"
He besought her to be frank and not
to spare his feelings.
well, then" said she. this IL Il: Four
years ago last fail a man came to this
town, and he said he was an English
man from Manchester. He was a sec
ond son, and his father had just died.
leaving him only about &12,0O0 out OF q
great estate. He had come here 20 ex-
anime the mill property with view to
buying IL for an English syndicate"
Upon my world" exclaimed Perce-
val.
The fellow swindied everybody" she
! continued. He pretended that his es-
I tate wasn't quite settled. but that he
might hear from his lawyers any day.
He owed for his board at the hotel;
he borrowed money Of Mr.. Jones and
the clerk and anybody else that had
any to lend. He got people to cash
drafts that weren't good. oh. he was
the rage for awhilei Everybody thought
he would bring prosperity TO the town.
/ and all were anxious to oblIge him.
And then he went away. and gradually
I Il all came out. Mr.. PercevaL. this town
was in mourning. and no man dared 10
I look his neighbor in the face. You see.
they were all ashamed Of being taken
( in"
Quite so-quIte So" exclaimed Per-
ceval- But really beg your pardon.
you know. for being so stupid-eh-eh-
/ Just where do figure In this AFFAIR."
why. at the hotel this morning" she
replied. You just happened 10 speak
almost the identical words to the clerk
that this other man used. He and my
I father Instantly thought OF him. and
they remembered that the detectives
who Investigated the case at that time
told them that there were two or more
Ewindlers staying rths sAms trick ID
different parts Of the country. II strnck
them that you were ons % ths-ther--