Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-09-28
! CHAPTER II.

but It seemed that. whom 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
to the Arm. It was Of still greater to
Hutchinson, which con1smed him In
his suspicious that he had private
dealings which had nothing to do with
the arm.
Alan talked the matter over. and
hutchinson was impressed with his
observation-disclosures and tho 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-
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 spanlard VINO
came in to smoke cigar with Hutch
inson after dinner evidctltly came
without expecting to see any ladies',
Alan rode home. It was a perfect
moonlight night, and the road was as
clear as II 1t had been day. Hutchtn-
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 invl-
tation, and vet not play the part OF
traitor to his host He felt sure that
Hutchinson was not acting square by
the ffrm: he also felt sure that ne
would try and gain him over to MS
side. Instinct told him to beware OF
che man; but, en- the other hand, there
vas the girl. who had touched tne
young mans heart by her loneliness
and her unhappiness and by her beau
". Il he did not 60 back to La Paz
all chance OF seeing the girl again
was at an-end, and she had made sucn
an impression upon his rather suscep-
tible heart that he was willing 10
chance many things, but not the FISK
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
fwus> thinking OF, and so It proved.
W. ne ~ cold moonlight her face
Looked Why and the shadows round
her eyes GHp. She had a soft, cooing
voice. lAn thought she was more
beautifuSthan he had even at first i'm
agined her to be.
Il have watched for you." she said
yoftIy. There was not trace OF CO.
,quetry in her voice and she was simply
stating fact. "You were so long that
Z grew anxious"
" He could see that she wanted to say
something, and yet was half afraid.
She looked round nervously. mo one
lis 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 me. do not want to say
what am going to say, and l know
child ought to reverence her father.
Out She gave long, sh1ddering
sigh. .5s.,e.-.. z.-. ~..a..4, ...
Il understand" he said, quickly.
mo. YOU do mott" she answered
quickly. st is not because he has
struck me-he did it before. and l
never minded it until today. You see,
he still thinks I am child. but l am
afraid for you. Oh, must warn you!
DO not come here again!"
why not?" he asked. II am not a
child to be told to do thing without
reason"
n There was young English clerk
VINO used to come out here to see my
father" she said, very slowly. "and
sitter six months he had embezzled
jme money or something, and In the
end he could not face the inquiry;
he sz~@ ..r
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 tho
Slrl.
..sut am not Of that Sort" said
Alan. II have my eyes open, and
never, do anything without reason"
"There have been men-young men
coming backwards and forwards Il,
the house, and there always has been
one end to 1t all. and canncs bear it.
NV father ruins them sooner or later.
AS soon as they know too much some
thing happens" g..
what do you want me to do then?"
asked Alan.
Don't come back here" she begged.
8 II cannot promise that" he said
quietly. And in the moonlight he look
Cd into her dark eyes.
/ :'Why not?" she asked. but she low
cred her lids. Z.
Because" he said boldly, 1T will
be my only chance Of seeing you
again"
There was little silence and then