The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-06-27
CHAPTER vi.


Mabel Trevanion said to Wilmot, the
footman:
Tell Jenkins to bring my horse
round"
And Wilmot the footman, havins
scrupulously and on the instant deliv-
cred that message to Jenkins the
groom, it 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-ccated dog al
her heels.
When at length she had reached the
wished-for massive iron gates, and had
Travelled all down the long line o!
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:
rs Mr. Blount at home?"
Yes-the master was at home Just
then, the man told her: whereupon
Mabel jumped from her horse, desired
a 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.
Dick Blount. or 'old Dick" as he
was more commonly called by his
friends and acquaintances-who
name was legion-was a man some
where in the 'fifties," tall, strong ath-
letic, 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 it ha1 never
taken to himself wife was a question
often asked in Cliston, but never sat
isfactorily answered. No woman s
name had ever been connected with his
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
his time abroad, wandering in 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 so
gently given, and his ready assistance,
while every child in the neighborhood
saaaa SeaaS- to remember the good ma
ture OF ol8 Dick -Blouns
"Mr. Blount..S said Mabes as the old
gentleman advanced to meefsher. 81
want to speak to you in private, phase
for minute or So"
so you shall. Come in here" sai6
Dick Blount, and he led the way into
his library, the door of which he CLOSED
carefully behind her. Now what can
do for you?"
II am going to ask something dread
full" began Mabel, after pause, dur
ing which she had felt her courage
oozing rapidly away-"something that
l feel sure no woman should ask, but
you must promise not to think too
hardly of me for all that
Il promsie you.''
We'll, then" -desperately-" want
you to give me three hundred pounds.
Blount laughed.
is that all?" he said. "Why |
thought you were about to confess to
half a dozen murders at least. Sit
down, Miss Mabel, and tell me all that
is on your mind"
And Mabel, sitting down, told him
all her trouble-all about Eddie's evil
behavior, and her fathers ignorance of
it, 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.
Il know l have done very wrong
thing" she said, with quivering lips
"a hateful, unfeminine thing that will
make you despise me forever But
what could l do? You were the only
one l could think of to help me, and
SO l came"
Il consider you have done me very
great honor" answered old Dick
promptly, land 1 feel proud and glad
Of it. To whom indeed should you
come, if not to your oldest friend? I'll
tell you what, Miss Mabel--I'll write
you out the check now on the spot, and
you can take it at once to your naugh-
ty brother with your love; and we
will never tell any one-you and +
one word about it,
Mabel's eyes filled with tears. She
stopped suddenly. and kissed the kind.
ly large brown hand that lay on the
table near her.
Nonsense, child" said Blount, hast.
lily; what did you do that for? Why
the money is lying idle at my bankers
not doing the slightest good to any one
and am only too pleased to be able
to oblige you SO easily
Thank you" returned NAB, "thanl
you again, Mr.. Blount, for all your
goodness to me-"
Il have done nothing for you," pro
tested old Dick, and shall be serious
ly angry, Miss Mabel, if you ever men
ton my goodness to me again
They were crossing the hall at thi
time, and presently gained the cute
porch, where he put her on her hors
and gathered up the reins for her hand
well, good-by, and take care o
yourself; and be sure you look you
very loveliest on Thursday evening"