Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-10
BY Fred M. &,hhe
CHAPTER NXI.
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" he said.
Indeed, l did," Ruth answered, ca
gerly. "Of course, I have long known
you by name, and have read pretty
we'll all your tales. IL liked your work
90 much"
David was f1attered. The shy, sweet
admiration Of Ruths eyes touched him.
and 1 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 friend OF
ours-Enid and Chris and myself, you
understand. Then, week or two ago.
came down to Brighton with my uncle
to settle all about taking the house
here. And l happened to be in LOCK-
harris, buying something, when you en-
tered and asked to see the cigar case
recognized you from your photograph,
and 1 was interested. OF course, l
thought no more of it at the time, until
Enid came up to London and told me
oil about the synopsis and how strange
ly the heroine's case in your proposed
story was like hers. Enid wondered
how you We're going to get the girl out
of her difficulty and 1 jokingly sug-
gested that she had better ask you. she
accepted the idea quite se.iously, say
ang that if you had 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
cat the hands of Reginald Henson, OF
course?"
Eyes. Our scheme took a long time
but we got it 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-
ment that you could get the number OF
your caller over the trunk line. Enid
came up to town and worked the teie-
phone. Chris was in No. 21S, and l
brought the money"
You placed that cigar case on my
doorstep?"
Yes: I was wound up for anything
1T was whom you saw riding the bicy-
Gle through Old Steine; it was I who
dropped the card of instructions. 1t
seems a shameful thing to say and do
now, but I-well, enjoyed it at the
time And I did it for the sake of my
friends. Do look like that sort of
girl Mr.. Ste=l?"
David glanced into the beautifully
shy eyes, with just the suggestion OF
laughter in them.
you look all that is loyal, and good
and true!" he exclaimed. "And I don't
think I ever admired you quite as much
as do at this moment"
Ruth laughed and looked down. There
was something in David's glance that
thrilled her and gave her sense Of
happiness she would have found it hard
to describe.
ST am so glad you do not despise me"
she whispered.
"Despise you!" David cried. "Why?
If you only knew how l. we'll, how
lioved you! Don't be angry. I mean
every word that say; my feelings for
you are as pure as your own heart. II
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-
pnred.
call me David. =. How nice
my plain name sounds from your lips.
Ruth and David. But must hold my
self in hand for the present. Still, 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 I have always
pictured as the man could love. {.
David"
"Well, it was only one little kiss, and
Tn sure nobody saw US, dear. And,
later on. when you are my wife"
Don't you think we had better keep
to business for the PRESENT." Ruth said,
demurely.
Perhaps There is one point you
must clear up before we go any fur
Their. How did you manage to furnish
those two big dining rooms exactly
alike?"
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 to recollect everything about
house. The place belonged to lady,
whom we may call Mrs. Margaret Hen
son, at one time. When the home
scheme fell through she sold one house
as it was. In the other she stored the
furniture. Enid knew all this. of course.
We managed to get latch]ley to fit No.
218, and Enid and a 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 bacl. again,
and there you are"
Diplomatic and clever. and decidedly
original, not to say feminine. In the
light of recently-acquired knowledge I
can quite see why your friends desired
to preserve their secret But they need
rot have taken all those precautions.
Had they written"
"They dared not. They were fearful
as to what would become Of the reply"
But they might have come to me