Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-02
is Lord Littimer over there. I am his

murmured his condolences. A little
later, and the four OF them were out
on he veranda taking ices together.
Rawlins might have been, and no doubt
was, a finished scoundrel; but there
was no question as to his fascinating
manner and his brilliant qualities as a
conyersationalist. A man of nerve, too,
and full OF resources. All the same,
Littimer was asking himself and wor-
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
man, and that was his love for his
daughter. For her sake he had been
travelling all over the world for years !;
for years he had despaired Of seeing
her live to womanhood. But she was
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
out OF them altogether.
Altogether a charming and many
sided rascal, Littimer thought. He
u LNllhs. 40 hS I'LL - VI SJtlcCllllH
types of humanity, and here was a new
and fascinating specimen. The two
men talked together until long after
dark, and Rawlins never betrayed him
self. He might have been an ambassa-
dor or cabinet minister unbending af.
ter a long period of heavy labor.
Meanwhile, Chris had drawn Grace
Rawlins apart from the others. The
rs-1 rrEa, ,.,sNN --I - -
evidently a lady. She seemed to have
but few e~nthusiasms, but one Of them
was her father, He was the most won
derful man in the world, the most kind
and considerate. He was very rich;
indeed, it was a good thing, or she
would never have been able to see so
much OF the world. lie 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 of?"
"Well, what do you think of them?"
Littimer asked. when, at length, he and
Chris were alone. Il suppose 1t isn't
possible that you and have made .
mistaken"
I'm afraid not" Chris said. half-sad-
ly. But what a strange case alto
gether."
Passing strange. I'll go bail that
man is bern and bred a gentleman;
and what is more, he is no more of an
American than I am. l kept on for
getting, from time to time, what he
was, and taking him for one of our
own class. And, finally, I capped my
folly by asking him to bring his daugh-
ter for a drive tomorrow and a lunch
on the Gapstone. What do you think
of that?"
Splendid" Chris said, coolly. Moth
ing could be better. You will be good
enough to exercise all your powers CT
fascination upon Miss Rawlins to-mor-
row, and leave her father to me. /
thought Of a little plan tonight which
| believe will succeed admirably. At
first / expected to have to carry mat
ters with q high hand, but now / am
going to get Mr.. Rawlins through his
daughter. I shall know all / want to
by tomorrow 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
men in Europe to deal with. Good
night"
But Chris was in no way cast down.
She had carefully planned out her line
of action, and the more she thought of
1t the more sure of success she felt. A
few hours more and-but she didn't
care to dwell too closely on that.
It was after luncheon that Chris OPP
poTtunity came. Lord Littimer and
Grace Rawlins had gone off to inspect
something especially beautiful in the
way of a waterfall, leaving Chris and
Rawlins alone. The latter was talk
ing brilliantly over his cigarette.
Us Lord Littimer any relation of
yours?" he asked.
We'll yes" Chris admitted. 81
hope he will be a nearer relation be-
fore long"
"oh, you mean to say-may l ven
ture to congratulate"
1T isn't quite that" Chris laughed,
with a little rising in color. "I am not
thinking Of Lord Littimer, but his SON..
Yes; | 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
ly terms with Lord Littimer, under the
circumstances. And I am wondering
why you should cali yourself John
Smith,
The listener coolly ficked the ash
from his cigarette. His face was lik-
a mask.
John Smith is a good name" he
said. Can you suggest a better?"
IF you ask me to do so I can. /
should call myself John Rawlins."
There was just the ghost of a smile
On Rawlin's lips.
There is q 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 piously thanked Providence
because Rawlins had never thought of
going on the stock exchange, where he