Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-08-24
ODE Only 90 a S 5ss,sss:
WaY& 90 Alan As,4e~.
CHAPTER III.


but it seemed that, when he heard
Alan's news. he considered it import
ant enough to warrant his intrusion
on his privacy 1t appeared to Alan
that. of whatever Importance it was
TO the firm. it was of still greater 10
Hutchinson, which confirmed him in
his suspicious that ne 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, ne accepted the invita-
ton. 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 bachelor
establishment. and the Spaniard VINO
came in 10 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 1t 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 inyl-
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 ais
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
and 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
ain impression upon his rather suscep-
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 a white figure fitted before
him. He refined in his horse sharply,
feeling sure that this was the girl he
was thinking of, and so it proved.
In the clear, cold moonlight her face
looked white and the shadows round
her eyes deep. She had soft, coomg
voice Alan thought she was more
beautiful than he had even at first i'm
agined her to be.
L have watched for YOU" she said
softly. There was not trace of CO.
quetry in her voice and she was simply
stating a fact. You were so long that
l 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.
No" She still hesitated and still
looked around her. Mr.. Mackenzie"
she said at last desperately do not
think i'll of NE. do not want to say
what | am going to say, and | know
a child ought to reverence her father,
but She gave a long. shuddering
sigh.
4 understand" he said, quickly.
NO. you do not" she answered
ho no
struck me-he did it before and l
never minded it until today You see,
he still thinks | am a child. but | am
afraid for you. Oh. | must warn you.
Do not come here again."
Why not?" he asked. Il am not a
child to be told to do thing without
a reason"
There was young English clerk
who used to cuYne out here to see my
father" she said, very slowly. land
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 l am not of that sort" said
Alan. Il have my eyes open, and
never do anything without a 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.
Ny father ruins them sooner or later.
As soon as they know too much some
thing happens"
What do you want me to do then p"
asked Alan.
Don't come back here" she begged
Il 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, 1T will
be my only chance of seeing you
again"
There was little silence and then
the girl spoke. but if it should
prove dangerous to you | should never
forgive myself"
Then Alan laughed a good, frank
laugh. THE one thing that will be
dangerous to me is you," he said. land
1 am going to court that danger"
She laughed, too Alan looked so
brave and bonny that any woman
would have loved To have haan nnnrtod