The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-20
son had a particular grudge again

MIN.
This surmise on Alan's part was we'll
founded, for, as matter of fact, when
Dempster found him so intelligent, he
had thought it might be we'll to raise
him to Hutchinson's place.
There was some mystery about
Hutchinson. He lived in house some
little way out of town, and no one
knew exactly whether he was married
or not. Some affirmed that he had
daughter, who has almost reached
woman's estate; others said that he
never made any mention of any one.
But, as 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.
But 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. 1t was after business
hours, and the young man offered to
find the Englishman. 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 actu-
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
a few hours, might mean the loss of
many thousands. So Alan obtained
,Hutchinsons address from Dempster,
and, in all good faith, went to find his
colleague. 1t took him some little time
to find the house. 1t was quite out of
Rio, and was more of country house
| than town house.
| When he found it he was amazed at
the beauty of his surroundings. 1t
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-
son why Hutchinson should not live as
a rich man. He drew large salary
from Dempster, and there were many
ways in which he could enlarge his
means.
Alan rode on through avenues Of
trees, fresh bowers of fruit and flow
ers, gorgeous in their tropical wealth
Of color, and suddenly as he rode it
seemed to him that he heard the sound
of woman sobbing He refined in his
horse so as to make sure; he still
heard the sound. The spirit of adven-
ture burned hot within him; the cry
Ing was so piteous, 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 to
an open glade. A girl dressed in white
had thrown herself on the ground;
her slight body was shaking with sobs.
Alan watched her for 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, disfgured by weeping, it is true
but of perfect type of beauty. There
was Spanish blood in her. as was testi-
fled by the liquid, dark eyes, and the
perfect oval of her face, and the slim,
yet well-shaped limbs. Her mouth,
too, quivering with emotion, was ripe
and red, and the little white teeth were
even and sharp.
She looked up for a moment at the
handsome lad. who was watching her
with such evident concern. and then
she blushed and answered, with an at
tempt at self-possession that was very
creditable, seeing the abandonment of
grief in which Alan had found her: at
is nothing, sir. l would not do as nv
father wished, and he was angry and
struck me-"
Struck you? The brute!" cried
Alan. THE detestable brute! How
dare he strike woman?"
| The girls eyes were cast down; she
seemed ashamed. Perhaps she had not
yet realized her womanhood complete
ly; she seemed very young. HE has
violent temper, sir, and perhaps l do
not manage him well. have no moth
er; she died years ago."
Fortunately for her." said Alan
grimly, IF your father is the sort of
man who would strike woman!"
you see,' said the girl, "it seems
that this Is important. Ny father had
promised my hand to mamie is a
Mexican Spaniard, and they think
nothing of arranging marriages for
you; but could not marry him. I
said so, and my father is not used to
being thwarted. He was angry at
something in business. too, SO the
moment, perhaps, was hardly chosen
well'
Your father is not Hutchinson, of
the firm of Dempster?" said Alan,
Somehow 1t did not seem to him likely
that Hutchinson could be the father
OF such beautiful girl, siad yet it was
not unlikely. seeing that he had found
her there.
eyes," she said. do. you know
him?"
Il work in his Office" said Mackenzie
shortly.
"Ah!" The girl looked up shyly.
Are you Mr.. Mackenzie?"