The Lamar register., 1900-08-01
one II11 H/ A Fascinating
"a Romance
" dI~ ~ Alan Adair.,. /

ment. So that although he was on
terms of perfect friendship with Ina
and Eleanor Dempster. yet he neither
sought aor wished for any stronger
feeling.
The girls looked with favor on the
handsome young Scotsman. who work
ed so hard. of whom their father had
such high opinion, and who was.
moreover. always perfectly willing to
be at their beck and call.
Alan soon found friends 10 Rio.
Dempster's position was almost unique
and when 1t became known that he
looked with favor on the young Scots
man, every one Joined in making fun
of him
Most OF he employees in the firm
were marri a. and they constituted
little circle to themselves. Alan had
the run OF their houses, and soon be-
gan to feel It home; however, amongst
them there wEs one man to whom he
never took An Englishman, Hutch
inson by anne, strly, red-haired
br,.te, with a magnificent head for fig
ures. He IS the one man whom Mac
kcnzie did not like. although he had
never quar- eled with him: but he
faneied tina il seemed as II Hutchtn-
son had a particular grudge against
him.
This mrp Use on Aian's part was well
founded. 70 as a matter of fact, when
Dempster found him so intelligent. he
had thought II might be well TO raise
him to Hutchinson's place,
There was SOM mystery about
Hutchinson He lived In a house some
little way ont of town, and no one
knew exactly whether he was married
or aot Some affirmed that he had a
daughter. who has almost reached
woman's estate: others said that he
never made any mention OF any one
But, as a matter of fact, Hutchinson
never mentioned his private affairs at
all. so It was not wonderful that the
rest OF the firm knew nothing about
them.
Bat one day there came some
rather important tidings to the firm.
Richard Dempster consulted Alan, and
he offered to talk over the matter with
Hutchinson. IL was after business
hours. and the young man offered to
hnd the Englisamed. He had not the
least Idea OF spying upon him. because
he had SO many friends that he had
no need to seek any, and he was aetu-
ated solely By the wish TO be useful TO
his employer In what might become
advantageous.
South American Affairs have not the
stability Of ours. A days delay, even
few hours. might mean the loss OF
maay thousands So Alan obtained
Hutchinson's address from Dempster.
and, In all good faith. went to lind his
colleague, II took him some little time
to fnd the house. II was quito out of
Rio. and was more OF a country house
than a town house
When he found Il he was amazed at
the beauty OF his surroundings II
seemed TO him that Hutchinson lived
even in greater style than did Demps-
ter, and that probably he did not wish
this to be known There was no rea-
sou why Hutchinson should not live as
rich man He drew large salary
from Dempster. and there were many
WAYS IA which he could enlarge his
means
Alan rode on through avenues OF
trees. fresh bowers Of fruit and tiow-
ers, gorgeous in their tropical wealth
OF color. and Suddenly as he rode il
seemed 10 him that he heard the sound
of a woman sobbing. He reined in his
horse so as to make sure; he still
heard the sound The spirit Of adven-
ture burned hot wIthSa him; the cry
ing was so piteuus. and Alan could not
bear TO hear it. 1t was like that Of
some girl in pain.
He fastened his horse to tree. for
getting all about the financial crisis
and his errand All the chivalry in his
nature Was stirred He pulled aside
the boughs of the trees and came 10
an open glade. girl dressed in white
had thrown herself on the ground:
her slight body was shaking with sobs.
Alan watched her for. a moment and
then he spoke You seem in trouble,
he said in English. for. though the
girls head was dusky, yet she did not
look altogether Spanish. Can help
you?'
The girl. startled by the voice.
sprang UP, and showed to Alan's gaze
face, disiigured by weeping, it is true,
but of a perfect type of beauty. There