The Delta independent., 1901-05-31

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him on the subject of that presupposed
strangulation, when Mabel broke in
suddenly.
Mildred" she said, Il have an
idea" And Mildred appearing sufici-
emily struck with the novelty Of this
announcement. Mabel went on: Il
have a plan to say nothing further
either OF you about this matter to any
one until tomorrow evening, and leave
everything in the meantime to me-"
But won't you tell us your plan.
whatever 1t is?" Miss Trevanion ask
ed anxiously, rather taken aback by
this unexpected prospect OF rescue
from their slough of despond. Il think
1t will be wiser of you to let us hear
it," Upon which the queen" said:
mo. l won't very emphatically, in
deed. and marched out of the room
with colors flying.
CHAPTER vi.
At eleven o'clock the next morning
Mabel Trevanion said to Wilmot, the
footman:
Tell Jenkins to bring my horse
round
And Wilmot the footman, having
scrxpulously and on the instant deliv-
cred that message to Jenkins the
groom. 1t SO happened that ten min
utes later the queen" OF Kings Abb
bott was riding away on the high road
to Blount Grange. with her sisters
little nondescript. black-coated dog at
her heels.
When at length she had reached the
wished-for massive iron gates. and had
Travelled all down the long line of
stately elms that In the summer time
proved the glory and comfort of the
Grange avenue. and had evoked SER
want in answer to her impatient sum-
mons. she asked, eagerly:
is Mr.. Blount at homer"
Yes-the master was at home Just
then. the man told her: whereupon
Mabel jumped from her horse. desired
groom. summoned by the butler. to
take her horse round to the stables.
and gathering up her skirts, entered
the spacious hall. her little bright
eyed follower close behind her.
was more commonly called by his
friends and acquaintances-whose
name was legion-was a man some
where in the "fifties." tall. strong ath-
ietic. and the master of an income
close upon six or eight thousand year.
The Grange was one of the loveliest
estates In the county. situated about
two miles or SO from Kings Abbott.
and why the owner Of 1t had never
taken to himself wife was question
often asked in Cliston, but never sat
isfactorily answered. No woman'a
name had ever been connected with hia
lin the matrimonial line at least
since on his uncle's death he had come
to take possession Of his property. How
and where he had lived previously was
little known to anyone. beyond the
certainty that he had spent much OF
his time abroad. wandering in a des-
ultory pleasure-seeking fashion from
city to city, with probably no ulterior
designs, except those Of enjoying the
present hour to the uppermost.
Far and near there was no man
more universally beloved and respect
ed by all classes. Young men adored
him for his genial advice. always 20
gently given, and his ready assistance,
while every child in the neighborhood
had reason to remember the good ma
ture OF old Dick Blount.
'.Mr. Blount," said Mabel, as the old
gentleman advanced to meet her. Il
want to speak to you In private. please
for q minute or So"
so you shall Come in here" said
Dick Blount. and he led the way into
his library, the door OF which he closed
carefully behind her. Now what can
l do for your"
Il am going to ask something dread
full" began Mabel, after a pause. dur
ing which she had felt her courage
ooxing rapidly yaway-''something tha,
1 feel sure no woman should ask,. bu,
you must promise not to think toe
hardly of me Tor all that
II promsie you
We'll. then."-desperately-"I wan,
you to give me three hundred pounds.
Blount laughed.
rs that all?" he said. why |
thought you were about to confess tc
half dozen murders at least. Sit
down. Miss Mabel, and tell me all that
10 on your mind"
And Mabel. sitting down, told him
all her trouble-all about Eddie's evil
behavior. and her fathers ignorance OF
1t. together with his inability to pay
SO much ready money Just then. and
her own determination to come over
to him. as the only person she could
think OF likely to help her in her ca
lamity. When she had finished she
looked up at him wistfully out OF her
beautiful hazel eyes.
II know have done very wrong
thing" she said. with ouivering lips
"a hateful. unfeminine thing that will
make you despise me forever. But