The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-07-11

either side?"
That's it. He's English all over
did you ever hear tell of a British
branch of the Dares?"
"Why certainly. There was a cous-
in, with whom she correspondent"
His name was Sir Lionel"
THAT was not guess, by Jupiter!"
mo. My good Corsican boatman.
on the way out, informed me that this
fine craft was the property of an Eng
fish globe-trotter named Sir Lionel
Dare. The similarity of names didn't
strike me as odd until saw her sit
ting there beside him.
THAT girl is slowly but surely awak-
ening to her position. Yes, Little Miss
Millions has been suddenly seized
with startling conviction that this is
all a set up job to secure unlimited
means from her vast fortune or else
to compel her to marry the count"
"The miserable scoundrels." Mark
muttered between his teeth. prove
that to me. Jones, and I'll stand be-
tween that girl and danger again if it
costs me my life"
"All right" said Jones, cheerily.
Just you come with me, my boy, and
we'll beard the lion in his den, you
bet"
Again the darkness of the night was
of great assistance, and Merrick found
occasion to feel thankful.
Fortune favored them-at least they
were able to descend without discov-
cry, and as this was of prime import
ance just then, they considered them
selves lucky.
And the cabin door was ajar,
which helped things amazingly.
At the first glance Merrick became
aware that the situation within the
saloon had changed during the few
minutes they had spent in perambulat-
ing the deck and lodging jackies.
The voices now seemed to vibrate
with a new energy, as though some
thing had occurred to inject excite
ment into the gathering.
Jones had been right, after all.
The look he had seen upon the face
of Constance Dare had been one Of
awakening consciousness and alarm.
Her first act had been to express q
desire to return to the hotel.
OF course, the good company en-
ner of entreaties.
Finding these of no avail, the
yachtsman showed little of his claws
beneath the velvet.
If his fair cousin were indisposed 1t
would be very uncivil in him to allow
her to return the long distance to
the city, especially since the wind was
rising and the sea growing rough
the very best stateroom on board was
| quite at her service, and in the morn
ing a safe landing could be made.
Little Miss Millions was accus-
toned to having her own way pretty
much, and this polished but positive
manner of refusing her demands
kindled her feminine anger.
Her lip curled with scorn; she
stamped her little foot in anger.
1T is not so-you have other rea-
sons, less honorable, for refusing to
| land me. | am not blind, sir, and the
fact that you are not alone in your
miserable scheme is very patent to
me-" she said, looking at the others
| in turn.
Sir Lionel turned very red in the
face under her reproaches, but held
himself we'll in hand.
He was a master hand at finding
| words to cover the case, and his plea
had all the earmarks of a clever bar
rister, which he had really once been
when a sudden legacy spoiled his bust
ness prospects.
The veneer was so desperately thin
that it proved of no avail as dis
guise.
Constance saw through it easily.
Although the situation certainly pre-
scented enough of danger and difficulty
to alarm her exceedingly, she did not
seem to lose her presence of mind
Indeed, if anything, she grew more
indignant and angry, for she stamped
her foot as might an angry despot, and
poured upon the devoted head of her
cousin a torrent of reproaches that
must have staggered one less dense.
ITO be continued.)