The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-05-15
By Fred M. Oate
CHAPTER vIr.-,con,inued.,

be so good as To state your buSineSs?'
David turned with start. He saw
before him slight graceful figure and
lovely, refined face in frame Of thu
most beautiful hair he had ever seen
The gray eyes were demure. with JUS
suggestion OF mirth In them: the lips
were made for laughter. IL was as II
some dainty little actress were mas
querading In salvation garb, only the
dress was all priceless lace that touched
David's artistic perception, He could
imagine the girl as deeply In earnest as
going through fire and water for her
convictions. Also, he could imagine
her as Puck or Ariel-there was rip
ping laughter in every note OF that
voice of hers.
'T-I.e Ell, yes" Steel stammered. you
see. I-if only knew whom l had the
pleasure of Addressing"
II am Miss Ruth Gates, at your SER
vice. Still, you asked for me by name"
David made no reply for a moment.
He was tripping over surprises again.
What a fool he had been not to look out
the name OF the occupant of 2l9 in the
directory. II was pretty evident that
Gilead Gates had a house in Brighton,
as well as one In town. Not only had
that telephone message emanated from
the millionaire's residence but II had
brought Steel 10 the philanthropist's
abode in Brighton. II Mr.. Gates him
self had strobe into the room singing a
pressed no emotion.
Daughter of the famous Gilead
Catesy" David asked. feebly.
=. vi To
not my uncle's own house. He has
merely taken II for time. But, Mr..
Steel"
mr. David Steel-is my name famil-
Ear TO your"
David asked the question somewhat
eagerly. AS vet he was only feeling his
way and keenly on the lookout for any
thing In the way II a clue. He saw the
face of the girl grow white as the table,
cover. he saw the lurking iaugter die in
her eyes, and the purple black terror
dilating the pupils.
81 know you quite well by reputa-
tfon." the girl gasped. Her little hands
were PRESSED 20 her left side as if to
check some deadly pain there. I'm
deed. may say I have read most of
your stories. II hope that there is
nothing wrong"
Her possession and courage were
coming back TO her now. But the
spasm of fear that had shaken her TO
the soul was not lost upon Steel.
'T trust not" he said. gravely did
you know that was here two nights
ago."
"Here?" the girl cried. Impossible,
In the house7 The night before last9
why. we were all in bed long before
midnight"
II am not aware that said anything
about midnight" responded David.
coidly.
An angry flush came sweeping over
the face of the girl, annoyance at her
own folly David thought. She added.
quickly, that she and her uncle had
only been down In Brighton for three
days
Nevertheless. was In this room two
nights ago." Davii replied eff you
know all about II, pray give me certain
Information OF vital importance to me:
II not. shall be compelled 10 keep my
extraordinary story to myself. for. 9TH
erwise, you would never believe IL. Do
you or DO you not know OF my visit
hs~e?"
The girl bent her head TIL Steel could
zee nothing but the glorious amber OF
her hair. He could see. too. that the
fine old lace round her throat was toss-
ing like a cork I'm stream.
IT can tell you nothing" she said.
"Nothing. nothing, nothing"
II was the voice OF one who would
have spoken had she dared. with any,
body else Steel would have been furi-
ously angry. In the present case he
could only admire the deep. almost pa
thetic. loyalty to somebody who stood
behind.
"Are you sure you were In this
house," the girl asked. at langth.
Certain" David exclaimed. "The
walls, the pictures, the furniture "a.
the same I could swear to the place
anywhere. Miss Gates. IL cannot
prove that I was here at the time ]
name II is likely 10 go very hard with
me"
you mean that certain incon-
veniepce-"
of murder, or manslaughter at best, In
local papers, Don't you know that
TWO nlEnlH ago, uuTlilB MY apScucc
from home. strange man was prac-
ticaiiy done 10 death In my conserva-
tory? And during the time OF the out
rage. as sure as Heaven Is above us.
was In this room!"
IT am sorry. but ] am sure that you
were not"
"Ah. you are going 60 disappoint me?
And yet you know something. You
might have been the guiltiest OF crea-
lures yourself when disclosed my
identity. No prisoner detected in some
shameful crime ever looked more guilty
than you"
.rhe girl stood there. saying nothing.
Had she rang the bell and ordered the
footman TO put him out OF the house,
Steel would have had no cause OF COM
plant. But she did nothing OF the
kind. She stood there. torn by con-
fiictlng emotions.
II can give You no information" she
said. presently "8ut am as positive
one way as y1u are another, that you
have never been In this house before.
may surmise things, but as hope 10
be judged fairly can give You no I'm
formation. l am only a poo, unhappy
girl. who is doing what she deems Ia
be the best for all perties concerned
And can tell you nothing, nothing
oh, won't you believe that I would dc
anything to serve you II / were oni,
4ree?"