The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-27
c1ApTER II.


Jabez Hutchinson received our hero
with a face as dark as thundercloud,
but 1t seemed that. when he heard
Alan's news, he considered it import.
ant enough to warrant his intrusion
on his privacy. It appeared to Alan
that. of whatever Importance it was
ITO the firm. it was Of still greater to
Hutchinson, which confirmed him in
his suspicious that he had private
dealings which had nothing to do with
the firm.
Alan talked the matter over. and
Hutchinson was impressed with his
clear-headedness and the concise way
he had of stating things. Little by
little he looked upon Alan with more
favorable eye. and in the end invited
him to stay and dine. Although Alan
did not want to prolong his interview
with the brute, he accepted the invita-
tion, thinking that he would then see
the girl who had taken his fancy be-
fore. Herein he was mistaken. To all
intents and purposes it was a bachelor
establishment, and the Spaniard who
came in to smoke a cigar with Hutch
inson after dinner evidently came
without expecting to see any ladies.
Alan rode home. 1t was a perfect
moonlight night, and the road was as
clear as If it had been day. Hutchin-
son had told him before he left that
he should be glad to see him again,
and the young man was revolving in
his mind how he could accept the invi-
tation, and yet not play the part of
traitor to his host. He felt sure that
Hutchinson was not acting square by
the firm; he also felt sure that he
would try and gain him over to his
side. Instinct told him to beware of
the man; but, ON the other hand. there
was the girl, who had touched the
young mans heart by her loneliness
land her unhappiness and by her, beau
ty. If he did not go back to La Paz
all chance of seeing the girl again
WAS at an end, and she had made such
Rn impression upon his rather SD scep-
tible heart that he was willing to
chance many things, but not the risk
OF never seeing her again.
He was riding along in the moon
light; he was young, and adventurous
blood was in his veins. The brilliant
beauty of the night, the strong scent
of the flowers, all intoxicated him.
Suddenly white figure fitted before
him. He refined in his horse sharply,
feeling sure that this was the girl he
was thinking Of, and so 1t proved:
In the clear, cold moonlight her face
looked white, and the shadows round
her eyes deep. She had a soft, cooling
voice. Alan thought she was more
beautiful than he had even at first i'm
,agined her to be.
81 have watched for you," she said
softly. There was not trace of CO.
quetry in her voice and she was simply
stating fact. You were so long that
II grew anxious"
He could see that she wanted to say
something, and yet was half afraid.
She looked round nervously. No one
is about" he said, reassuringly.
mo" She still hesitated and still
looked around her. "Mr. Mackenzie"
she said at last desperately, do not
think ill of me. 1 do not want to say
what am going to say, and know
child ought to reverence her father,
but" She gave long, shuddering
sigh.
81 understand" he said, quickly.
mo, you do mott" she answered
quickly. ct is not because he has
struck me-he did it before. and !
never minded it until today. You see,
he still thinks am child. but am
afraid for you. Oh, must warn you!
DO not come here again."
"Why not?" he asked. 81 am not a
child to be told to do thing without
a reason"
'There was a young English clerk
who used to come out here to see my
father" she said, very slowly, and
after six months he had embezzled
some money or something, and in the
end he could not face the inquiry;
he"
She stopped; he could see the horror
in her face.
What did he do?" asked Alan, in
his quiet, manly voice.
He committed suicide" said the
girl.
But I am not 81 that sort" said
Alan. Il have my eyes open, and
never do anything without reason"
''There have been men-young men
coming backwards and forwards to
the house, and there always has been
one end to it all. and / cannot bear it.
My father ruins them sooner OF later.
AS soon as they know too much some
thing happens
What do you want me to do then ~
asked Alan.
Don't come back here" she begged.
II cannot promise that" he said
quietly. And in the moonlight he look
ed into her dark eyes.
why not?" she asked, but she low
cred her lids.
Because" he said boldly, ut will
be my only chance Of seeing you
again"
There was little silence and then
the girl spoke. but IL It should
prove dangerous to you I should never
forgive myself"
Then Alan laughed a good. frank
laugh THE one thing that will be
dangerous to me is you," he said, '.and
n am going to court that danger.