The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1902-09-20

ny story Publishing Co..
English. The man was Maude. Chef
wynd recognized him beyond doubt.
The worst of it was that, returning to
London, Chetwynd drank too much
wine one night and told the story to
an intimate. This intimate told it to
another intimate and so on. 1t did
not become generally known, but all
of the family connections and the
friends of the family knew of it.
Maude arrived in London not a great
while afterward. Society in general
had nothing against him, except a
faint memory of the old racing scan
dial, about which there was never any
thing positive. His wife was dead.
He seemed to be possessed of means.
He was received practically on his old
footing. This was only a year ago.
Glynn got letter from him one day
in which he expressed a wish to come
out. He came, liked the country,
bought some cattle and has been with
us since. Six months later my folks
wished often since that they had kept
mum about it, but am glad now that
| was made acquainted with the facts.
1t has enabled me to do you a service.
l know that you acquit me of any self
ish motive. In fact" with a wide
smile, II asked you to marry me be-
for I told you and was rejected with
scorn."
Lois put out her hand and took his.
She held it closely while looking into
his frank eyes. There was a dash of
moisture in her own and her voice was
low and controlled with an effort as
she said:
'You are my brother, Mr.. Allyn
in this wide country my nearest of
kim For what you have done for me
God will reward you some day, I know,
with good woman's love. You have
done by me as you would wish your
sister, so placed, to be done by. I shall
never forget it. I don't know that l
would have accepted last nights offer
Il don't think that would-but the
service rendered has been great,
nevertheless. 7 shall write him his
answer this afternoon. No hint Of the
things you have told me- shall appear
in it. He shall not know that I have
been warned"
by Jove, yes!" said Allyn. do you
know what would happen if my share
in his rejection were known to him."
"No; what?" Lois had grown some
what pale
think of his life in Sahara; think
what he must have seen, what he must
have done, what he must have BEEN
l should be dead in week; that's
all. A MORE desperate or more cruel
man does not live. I don't think that
I fear him, or any one especially, but
I feel sure that he would Stay an en-
envy as he would STAY "a wild animal,
without giving him even the wild ami
mails chance of flight. Fair fight is
one thing and assassination is an
other
HE shall not know" was the steady
answer; mo one shall ever know. I
will show you my answer to him if
you WISH"
Allyn's fair face flushed bright red
to the roots of his hair.
"Realy, Miss English-Miss Lois
Lois" he stammered, "I'm not that
kind of fellow, you know. IL don't
want to see your correspondence. I'm
responsible for the poor devils being
singed, but + don't care to watch the
iron which burns him. I have done
what I have done from sense of
duty and from liking for you. The
matter is now wholly in your hands
But I'm willing to avow my share in
1t if it becomes necessary"
He had risen and his slender figure
was erect. Lois saw that she. had
made a mistake. She was not suf-
ficiently familiar with young men of
the Allyn class to know how intensely
one of them would resent a suspicion
of his courage; any intimation that he
was hiding behind petticoat. Again
she laid her hand on his and spoke
soothingly:
Don't be foolish, Mr.. Allyn. I know
you. To-day you have shown yourself
to me brave man, one of the bravest
Of the brave. IL will kiss you, if
you like" !
His boyish ringing laugh sounded
through the wide room .-f -
"Well," he said, "that's more than
any Of the other. fellows have had
offered them. I'm lucky after all, even
if my addresses were refused" FL, E
He passed his arm about her waist,
kissed her lightly on the cheek and
was gone, swinging his sombrero.
Lois rubbed the spot with her hand
kerchief, looked at it thoughtfully as
il she expected some OF the Impress
sure to come of, peeped into mirror,
saw that her brow and throat were
scarlet, smiled brightly and said In q
half whisper: He is my brother,
after ALL @ ;, t 45,:. d, s55s
That afternoon as Russell ( Maude,
white with dust, swung himself from
the saddle: in front of the bachelofs'
quarters, one of the maids gave him a
sealed note. He glanced 1t the, alinar.