The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-12-17

UTE, SIR
l., Blister Kane might like to know
that 'tother gent was maxim inquiries
about 'im.''
when was this, MOses?" asked
Kane, coolly shipping the end off a
cigar.
"Out yonder, a matter O. six months
ago. 1t was jest arter he'd made that
there strike O. his'n in the Karroo
country
"Just So" said Kane But you see,
Moses, Mr.. Dysart and I have become
very good friends, and any information
he is likely to want he'll come to me-
for. Thanks, all the same" and so
saying he nodded jauntily to the little
man and went on his way
Dash my Wig, but 'e's a cool 'un,"
said Moses Plish to himself as he
watched the tall, wen-clad figure Of
the erstwhile adventurer disappear in
the madding crowd. wonder if e
knows that Cupples is in London,
tool"
But despite his outward nonchal-
ance Kane was inwardly perturbed at
this chance encounter. That Moses
Plish was in London had probably no
significance. Whatever he might sus-
pect, he had no absolute knowledge of
that dark and bloody episode on the
veldt--no one knew the truth save the
two men implicated and since so
strangely thrown together And to
only one of these was the whole truth
known. .
What was chiefly to be dreaded was
that new train of ideas might be set
running in Dysart's mind. Kane
feared lest a chance word should put,
him on the right scent, for even the
dimmest suspicion would be disas-
trous now!
However, the two men got through
their luncheon as per appointment,
and the subsequent return journey
was made without any noticeable
strain or change in their relations.
Nor was the evening spent at Dene-
croft any different from the many
that had preceded it.
All was apparently serene. Both Sir
Arthur and Richard were ideal hosts,
and Stella's goodnight kiss was as
sweet and trustful as ever
But the days happenings served to
kindle afresh Kane's uneasy forebod-
ings, and intensified his distaste and
horror at the part he was playing.
The kindness and cordially with
which he was received at Denecroft
made his own conduct, past and pres
ent, all the blacker by contrast
That night the question occurred to
him, what it Stella should discover
the truth after they were married.?
She would scorn him with an unutter-
able scorn-not tor his crime-he
could fancy her forgiying that-but
for his deceit and his false pretenses.
That he had loved her and won her
in ignorance of the identity of his VIC
tim would be no palliation Of his after
offense in keeping it secret. With such
nature as hers, in which pride of
birth was blended with an almost
slavish worship of truth and honor,
there could be but one outcome: She
WoQAo opoi IL AAAA 1lOu uSE S1SQI.
Again: Suppose Richard were to
stumble on the truth, and tax him with
his crime: What could he do but
cover like a whipped cur?
ROssiter Kane was no common cow
ard, but the mere thought of such
possibility caused him the keenest
shrinking and chagrin.
Gradually, out Of the turmoil of his
thoughts, the conviction grew and took
shape that his only hope of happiness
lay in prompt confession and restitu-
tion-not an extorted avowal, but one
made of his own free will, and while
yet he held the reins in his own con-
troll. .A '..+
Better to lose the girl now and re-
tain his own self-respect than marry