The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-10
By Fred M. Uhite
CHAPTER XXI.
A Find.

A Find.
David did not appear in the least sur
prised; indeed, he was long since past
that emotion. Before the bottom OF the
mystery was reached a great many
more strange things were sure to hap
pen.
so you bought that cigar case your
self?F he said
Indeed, / did" Ruth answered. ca
gerly. "of course. / have long known
you by name, and have read pretty
well all your tales. III liked your work
80 much"
David was nattered. The shy, sweet
admiration OF Ruth's eyes touched him.
And / was very glad to meet you"
Ruth went on. You see, we all liked
your stories. And we knew one or two
people who had met you. ana, gradual
ly, you became quite like a friend Of
ours--Enid and Chris and myself, you
understand. Then, week or two ago,
i came down TO Brighton with my uncle
TO settle all about taking the house
here. And / happened 10 be in Lock-
hart's, buying something, when you en-
tered and asked TO see the cigar case.
recognized you from your photograph,
and / was interested. OF course. L
thought no more of IL at the time. until
Enid came up TO London and told me
all about the synopsis and how strange
ly the heroine's case in your proposed
story was like hers Enid wondered
how you were going to get the girl out
OF her difficulty. and I jokingly sug-
gested that she had better ask you. She
accepted the idea quite seriously, say
ing that II you had a real, plausible way
cut of the trouble you might help her.
And gradually our scheme was evolved.
You were not to know, because of the
possible danger to yourself"
at the hands of Reginald Henson, or
course?"
YES. Our scheme took long time.
but we got II worked at last. We de-
cided on the telephone, because we
thought that we could not be traced
that way, never imagining for a mo-
emit that you could. get the number OF
your caller over the trunk line. Enid
came up to town and worked the tele-
phone. Chris was in No. 21S, and 1
brought the money"
you placed that cigar case on my
doorstep"
yes; was wound up for anything.
II was whom you saw riding the bicy-
Gle through Old Steine; II was I who
dropped the card OF instructions. IL
seems a shameful thing 10 say and do
now, but I--well, enjoyed IL at the
time. And did II for the sake of my
friends DO look like that sort OF
girl. Mr.. steal?"
David glanced into the beautifully
shy eyes. with just the suggestion or
laughter in them.
you look all that is loyal. and good
and true!" he exclaimed. And don't
think ever admired you quite as much
as do at this moment"
Ruth laughed and looked down. There
was something in Davld's glance that
thrilled her and gave her a sense of
happiness she would have found 1t hard
to describe.
81 am so glad you do not despise me-"
she whispered.
"Despise you" David cried. WHY
II you only knew how /. well, how
loved youl Don't be angry. I mean
every word that say; my feelings for
you are as pure as your own. heart III
you could care for me as you do for
those others should have friend. in
deed"
you have made me care for you very
much, indeed, Mr.. Steel" Ruth whis-
pered.
Call me David. How nice
my plain name sounds from your lips.
Ruth and David. But I must hold my
self in hand for the present. SIN, am
glad you like me-"
well. you have been so good and
kind. We have done you great deal
Of injury, and you never blamed us. And
you are Just the man l have always
pictured as the man could love.
David,"
swell. II was only one little kiss. and
I'm sure nobody saw us, dear. And.
later on, when you are my wife"
"Don't you think we had better keep
20 business for the present." Ruth said,
demurely.
perhaps. There Is one point you
must clear UP before we go any fur
ther. How did you manage TO furnish
those two big dining rooms exactly
allke?"
why. the furniture is there. AT the
top of the house, in large attic, all the
furniture is stored"
'But the agent told me It had been
removed"
''He was wrong. You can't expect the
agent 10 recoliect everything about a
house. The place belonged to a lady
whom we may call Mrs. Margaret Hen
son, at one time. When the home
scheme fell through she sold one house
as II was. In the other she stored the
furniture. Enid knew all this, of course.
We managed to get a latchSey to fit No.
21S, and Enid and man did the rest
Her idea was to keep you in the dark
as much as possible. After the inter-
view the furniture was put back again,
and there you are"
Diplomatic and clever, and decidedly
original, not 10 say feminine. In the
light OF recently-acquired knowledge I
can quite see why your friends desired
to preserve their secret. But they need
not have taken all those precautions.
Had they written"
They dared not. They were fearful
rs TO what would become OF the reply"
"But they might have come to me
openly"
Again they dared not. for your sake.
You know great deal, David: but
there Is darkness. and trouble and wick
.