The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-08-04
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)

MI Charlford passed his hand IN trOu-
bled manner over his brow, appearing inn
mersed in thought. His companion inter-
rupted him.
You must make up your mind within
fve minutes, Filton; l cannot sit gaping
at you all night Now then'-taking out
gold repeater-"I give you live minutes
which is five times too long"
Then the speaker closed his eyes, and
waited for the answer. Slowly it came,
as if spoken with infinite pain.
IAN | can arrange is to give you five
thousand tonight, and five thousand-bor-
rowed money, mind-six weeks hence. The
rest | will raise before Mabels wedding
day. Will that satisfy you?"
Il will agree to those terms. 1t is
large sum, but"-laushing gleefully-"l
don't imagine you will feel much grief in
reducing the portions due your son and
daughters. Ha, ha."
stop that!' interposcd Charlford. RE
member if you make me desperate--if you
drive me to a last stand-l shall do as
Samson did-crush my enmles, even If
crush myself
'Nonsense-you won't do that" said
the man, assuming lighter tone. And
old friends should pull together. 1t is all
agreed them
Sign tnlS HTSl, 10 SHOW Sou nav iSSSi'
ed it. You have made life pretty hard for
me for a good many years to conac, said
Charlford.
"All risht-here goes! Where shall
get my next installment?'
I'm London. l will let you know. l
will meet you at the usual place in the
city. Now shall we have some wine after
all this wretched business"
4" lis anything but wretched to me, t1l-
ton replied the other. Wine? To be
sure, and bit of that pie, too. l am as
hungry as a hunter, for | have not dlned.
Eat them said his unwilling host
carving the pie, and interrupting in order
to pour some wine into the glass which
Mabel had substituted for the one into
which he had dropped the liquid.
The visitor emptied his glass, saying:
"That puts new blood into mel"
Drink some more then" urged his COM
panion. whose face had grown very pale
and whose hands trembled.
''l'll eat now; keep me company said
the man.
"Oh, l dined in town-had capital din
ner, too-so I'm not hungry! And to tell
the truth, business such as ours doesn't
help the appetite"
mot yours, perhaps but it helps mine.
l.
again, Filton, and marry an heiress."
by all means. l wish you luck" re-
sponded Charlford.
Don't be a day over the time for pay
ing the next installment, or I shall con-
slider our bargain void"
NO fear" answered Mabels father,
dryly.
We'll, keep faith with ME, and l will
keep faith with YOU replied the man
''otherwse l shall know how to retaliate."
WHO doubts it?" said Chariford, laugh
ing. ''There-don't be foolish! Get to
the Grow and Eagle, and sleep of your
suspcions.'
The man waved his hand, and, without
response in words, went down the passage,
crossed the threshold and was lost to view.
Mabel's father followed, and stood gaz-
Ing after him. Then he began to mutter
incoherently to himself.
The Crow and Eagle-the Crow and
Eagle" he breathed. What will John
think of it when he reads the-the account
in the papers? Let him think what he
will, he will be the gamer"
Muttering thus, he stole back along the
passage toward his own room. He was
not in his usual calm, cool temper, ready
for any emergency, eager to find fault
quick to assert his own will. For once he
was glad that no eyes were upon him; he
must rest, collect himself, be armed at all
points for the coming day, and all that il
might bring.
Il have borne with him long enough
he murmured; land. fool as he is, he die
not know where to stop, He goaded me
to it. 1t was his own doing"
Mabel, half hidden by the cabinet ant
h,, I'M ,,inc of fyr ,tyr
could not be seen Immediately as he re
entered the room, and she caught the las
sentence which fell from her fathers lip
1t was his own doing" No doubt now
remained in her mind as to his intention!
toward the man who had just left him
Her eyes grew dim. She tried to cry
"Father-father!" but could not articu
late
Then Mr.. Charlford, advancing into tn
room, caught sight of her, standing, as j.
trans6xed with horror and with grief.
Mabel" he cried, his face assuming
livid hue, "why are you herer'
With stihed exclamation she spran;
toward him, then fell at his feet.
why am I here?" she gasped. why
heaven must have sent me, father, in or
der that l might save you. Oh, father
let me save you! You will be glad all th
rest or your llfe!
Save me?" he echoed, completely over
whelmed for the moment, doubtful how t
answer her, uncertain as to how much sh
knew.
Yes, father-yes! Listen!" She spran
to her feet and spoke in a low and un
steady voice. Already, unknown to yor
I have saved you. II poured away-tha
which you meant him to drink! He ha
not drank it. Are you not thankful, faith
er? And l will stand by you to the end
If you will let me-"
At her words he staggered backward
he could not speak in answer to her min
gled pleading and accusation.
Pierced to the soul as she was by thi
mute confession of his guilt, Mabel Dor
up brayely.
Yes, look up, father" she whispered
you are saved. Henceforttl let me trans
act all your business with that man. d
not allow yourself ever to see him agar
nd will ha silnr 10