Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-02
is Lord Li,timer over there. lam his

secretary"
Litumer strolled across himself and
murn,ured his condolences. A little
later. and the four of them were on,
on the yeraDda taking ices together
Rawlins might have been. and no doub,
was, finished scoundrel: but there
was no question as to his fascinating
manner and his brilliant qualities as a
conHerSationalist. \ man of nerve, too
and full OF resources. All the same
Littimer was asking himself and won
dering who the man really was. BY
birth, he must have been born a gen.
tleman. Littimer did not doubt for a
moment.
But there was one soft spot in the
daughter. For her sake he had been
travelling all over the world for years
for years he had despaired OF seeing
her live 10 womanhood. But she vas
gradually growing better; indeed. if
she had not walked so far to-day moth.
ing would have happened. All the time
that Rawlins was talking his eyes were
resting tenderly on his daughter. The
hard, steely look seemed to have gone
cut OF them altogether
Altogether q charming and many
sided rascal. Lirriner thought. He
was fond. as he called it OF collecting
types OF humanity. and here was a new
and fascinating specimen. The two
men talked together until long after
dark, and Rawiins never betrayed him
self. He might have been an ambassa-
dor or cabinet minister unbending at
ter long period OF heavy labor.
Meanwhile. Chris had drawn Grace
Rawlins apart from the others. The
girl was quiet and self contained. but
evidently lady She seemed to have
but few enthusiasts. but one of them
was her father, He was the most Won
de-ful man in the world. the most kind
and ccns:Gera-e. He was very rich:
indeed. it was good thing. or she
would never have been able to see so
much of the world. He had given up
nearly the whole OF his life TO her. and
now she was nearly as strong as other
girls. Chris listened in a daZed, con-
fused kind OF way She had not ex-
pected anything like this: and when
had Rawlins found time for those bril-
liant predatory schemes that she had
heard o*?'
Littimer asked. when, at length, he and
Chris were alone. Il suppose it isn't
possible that you and l have made .
mistaken"
I'm afraid not" Chris said, half-sad-
IL. But what strange case alto
gether"
Passing strange. I'll go bail that
man is born and bred a gentleman;
and what Is more. he is no more OF an
American than I am. I kept on for
getting. from time to time, what he
was. and taking him for one of our
own class. And. finally, 1 capped my
folly by asking him to bring his daugh-
ter for drive Tomorrow and lunch
on the Gapslone. What do you think
OF that"
Splendid" Chris said, coollr. Moth
ing could be better. You will be good
enough 70 exercise all your powers of
fascination upon Miss Rawlins to-mor-
row. and leave her father TO me. l
thought OF little plan tonight which
believe will succeed admiral bly,. At
first expected to have to carry mat
rers with a high hand. but now l am
going TO get Mir. Rawlins through his
daughter. l shall know all l want 10
by to-morrov night"
Littimer smiled at this sanguine ex-
pectation.
Il sincerely hope you WILL" he said,
drily. But doubt it very much. in
deed. You have one Of the cleverest
-nen in Europe to deal with. Good
night
But Chris vas in no way cast down.
She had carefully planned out her line
OF action. and the more she thought OF
It the more sure Of success she felt. 4
lew hours more and-bur she didn't
care to dwell TOO closely on that.
II was after luncheon that Chris op-
po!tunity- came. Lord Littiner and
Grace Rawltcs had gone of to inspect
something especially beautiful in the
way OF waterfall, leaving Chris and
Rawilns alone. The latter was talk
ing brilliantly over his cigarette.
is Lord Littimer any relation of
;ours?" he asked
Well. yes Chris admitted. 81
hope he will be nearer relation be
fore long
oh. YOU mean to say-may I ven
tLre TO congratulate-'
IT isn't quite that Chris laughed,
WIN little rising in color. '"I am not
thinking Of Lord Littimer, but his son.
Yes; l see you raise your eyebrows
PROBABLY because you are aware of the
story, as most people are. And you
are wondering why am on such friend
" terms with Lord Littimer, under the
circumstances. And l am wondering
why you should call yourself John
Smith"
The listener coolly ficked the ash
from his cigarette. His face was like
a mask.
John Smith is a good name" he
said. Can you suggest a better?"
If you ask me to do so l can. I
should call myself John Rawlins."
There was just the ghost Of a smile
on Rawlin's lips.
There is a man of that name,' he
said, slowly, who attained consider
able notoriety in the States. People
said he was the derniere cri of refined
rascality. He was supposed to be with
out any kind of feeling; his villainies
were the theme OF admiration among
financial magnates. There were brok-
ers who pionsly thanked Providence
because Rawlins had never thought of
gong on the stock exchange, where he
Ia