The Red Cloud chief., 1901-04-12

Mildred, she said, Il have an
idea" And Mildred appearing suf',ci-
emily struck with the novelty OF this
announcement. Mabel went on: IL
have 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
cd anxiously rather taken aback by
this unexpected prospect OF rescue
from their slough of despond. II think
II will be wiser OF you to let us hear
IT." Upon which "the queen" said:
mo. | won't very emphatlcally. in
deed, and marched out OF the room
with colors flying. H.. .fH
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
scrupulously and on the instant dellv-
cred that message to Jenkins the
groom, II so happened that ten min
utes later the queen" Of Kings Alb
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 a 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
take her horse round to the stables,
and gathering up her skirts. entered
the spacious hall. her little bright
eyed follower close behind her.
Dick Blount, or "old Dick" as he
was more commonly called by his
friends and acquaintances-whose
name was legion-was a man some
where In the "ffties." tall, strong ath-
letic. and the master OF an income
close upon six or eight thousand a 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 II hsd never
| tok m tp,o x,tf %, ti,xs
often asked in Cliston, but never sat
isfactorily answered. No woman's
name had ever been connected with hi
in 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 o
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 SC
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, 81
want to speak to you In private, please
for 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 car
| do for you?"
Il am going to ask something dread
full" beges Mabel, after a pause, dur
ing which she had felt her courag,
oozing rapidly away-"something tha
feel sure no woman should ask, bu
you must promise not to think too
hardly Of me for all that"
II promsie you"
"Well, 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 I,
half dozen murders at least. 81
down. Miss Mabel. and tell me all tina
Is on your mind"
And Mabel. sitting down, told hin
all her trouble-all about Eddie's evi
behavior, and her fathers ignorance o
IL, together with his inability 10 pay
so much ready money just then, ant
her own determination to come ovel
to him, as the only person she coult
think Of likely to help her In her ca
lamity. When she had finished sh'
looked up at him wistfully out OF he'
beautiful hazel eyes.
II know have done very wronf
thing" she said, with quivering lips
"a hateful. unfeminine thing that will
make you despse me forever, Bu
what could do? You were the onl,
one l could think of to help me, ant
so 4 came"
II consider you have done me very
great honor" answered old Dick
promptly. "and | feel proud and glaC