The Red Cloud chief., 1902-07-11
Myself and ally future support" he

Myself and Any future support" he
said.
The cat was on of the bag.
Capt. Brand desired to make terms
with the man whom destiny had ap.
pointed to be his successor.
Charlie felt the deepest disgust for
so base a wretch. and determined to
bait him as the torcador does the
maddened bull.
Let me see. do | understand just
what you mean? You now receive a
certain allowance from your daughter.
which she has willingly given you as
a pledge OF her affection. This you
fear may be stopped should she mar.
ry?"
Yes. yes; you have it dowu very
pat"
And believing that | have at least
a fair chance to secure her consent
to be my wife. you are DESTROYS Of
entering into some specific arrange.
ment with me whereby this allowance
may be continued during your life.
time"
THAT Is It. exactly: you could not
have hit II better had YOU thought
the whole thing out
Charles manner gave him great
hopes that he had found a ready dupe.
Now. be perfectly frank. captain
are you fully satisfied with the
amount"
We'll. there's a point | wanted to
put before you. There are times
when. truth to tell. | have thought the
dear child, OF course. unconsciously.
was treating me- %shabbily. Twice
the amount would put me on Easy
street, and I'm sure she wouldn't miss
1t at ALL"
The glow OF avariCe was I'm his face
his eyes snapped eagerly, and Char.
lie could see his fingers working as
though in imagination they already
clutchcd the golden prize.
"Ah! twice the amount would
satisfy you, then, captain" Charlie
%queried. softly.
Il am sure Of It. And on my part.
| would agree to use all the influence
| possess in order to make her yours
forever. Think Of it. my hearty
that sweet girl Is worth any sacrifice.
There are men. doubtless, who would
q%uadruple the annuity If they could
secure so rich a prize; but, sir. my
conscientious scruples stand in tho
way. Above all things. | must see her
happy"
Charlie was secretly a~mused-it
WAS as pnnt. ne a nlay I'm him
"A laudable ambition for a fond
parent, | am sure. And the curiosity
| entertained regarding the limit of
our desires has been most amply
satisfied"
curiosity! Do I understand You
Alright, sir? DO You mean to-er-
imply that you had no other motive in
making such rigid and searching in.
Quiries into the sacred feelings of q
parents heart? Curiosity, the DEVIL"
he snorted.
1T is a cool word. butt covers
the case, so let 1t pass"
"Perhaps-er-my terms have been
a little bit too high. and 1t might be
possible for us to affect a compro-
mise"
"Oh, no-not a bit too high! In.
deed, five times as much would not be
considered excessive IL you could de.
liver the goods"
You doubt my ability?" eagerly.
Il know IL for an actual certainty"
as he looked squarely into the cap
tain's bold eyes, that now fell before
his gaze.
:" can prove my power over the
girl. | will influence her to turn
coldly from you: when next we talk
terms, my price will be double what I
ask now. There are others, Mr..
Charlie Stuart, who aspire to secure
what you have spurned."
What Of the fine sense OF honor
that compels you to consider your
daughters ~happiness?" tauntingly.
Bah! mere words, and you know
it,"
What OF that wonderful sense OF
intuition which warned you | was the
mate appointed by Destiny to watch
over your daughters f%uture-and
yours"
ITO be continued)