The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-12-10

hence, was safe to be worked up quick
ly and thoroughly. Kane felt that he
ran no risk in thus displaying his per-
sOnal interest in what was, after all,
a very natural manner.
The mere act Of being busy, even on
this partially fictitious errand, served
to steady his nerves, and he returned
to The Cedars fortified for his interview
with his afianced. With sort of
blind defiance of fate he determined to
let matters drift for a few days.
Stella he saw on the morning after
his return, and was lavishly rewarded
for his quick compliance with her
maiden request.
How good and thoughtful you are!"
she exclaimed. the love-light in her
eyes. IF you were one of us-if you
were Rick's own brother-you could
not do more''
The bitter-sweet of her praises
moved and thrilled him more deeply
than he would have believed possible
one short year ago, and again his con-
science smote him. But he was none
the less alert to seize the opening thus
afforded him.
Remember you have yourself given
ne the best of all rights to help you,"
he murmured, "and when you give me
your sweet self I shall be brother to
Rick and something nearer and dearer
to you"
She suffered his caress with an Alto
gether happy abandon Then sud-
denly:
Marcia was here yesterday" she
said. "She tells me Kicks photo
graph revealed nothing-suggested no
one to you?"
He shook his head mutely, and in
Wardly thanked his stars that the form
of the question he had been dreading
made verbal lie unnecessary. !:
REST assured" he said aloud, that
if your brother is anywhere on Gods
footstool we shall hear of him. These
temporary disappearance are quite
common in all the new lands. A man
hears of new diamond field or new
gold reef, or goes elephant hunting
Tor ivory up-country, and only his i'm
mediate companions could tell you his
exact whereabouts. Suddenly he re-
appears, sound as a dollar and rich as
Croesus. Total disappearance are
very rare occurrences, I assure you.
Rick may return to civilization any
about him."
She hung upon his words with parted
lips and wide-open eyes.
You give me new courage!" she ex-
claimed resolutely. Until we hear the
worst shall believe and hope that all
will turn out as you say"
Kane breathed freely once more.
Another dangerous cape was wealth.
cred, and the episode of the photo
graph might be regarded as closed.
Stella's confidence in him was su-
pre1ae. A new hope shone in her eyes
Or was it the reflex light of her own
newly found happiness?
Now, it had been Kane'S original in
tention to make the ball the occasion
tor announcing to society his betrothal
to Miss Dysart, and at the same time
TO introduce her as the future mistress
Of The Cedars. But Stella's plea for de-
lay frustrated this-and fortunately so
in view of Kane's terrible discovery.
Nevertheless, he looked forward to
receiving her in his own house, be-
lore all his guests, much as de-
tutante anticipates her coming out.
But destiny was about to hurl an
uther thunderbolt at his head
Upon the morning Of the eventful
lay a mounted groom galloped up to
The Cedars requesting to see Kane in
person. Being shown into the library,
where the master happened to be
alone, he delivered a letter marked
urgent" UNDERSIGNED three times, ad-
dressed in Stella's hand, saying:N
Miss Dysart requests an Immediate
answer, if you please, sir
With nervous forebodings he broke
the seal, but the news it contained far
outran his fears, and might have stag
gered stronger mind than his. In his
excitement he hardly noticed the af-
fectiOnate beginning, which at another
time would have filled him with de-
light.
my Dearest Rossiter: Rejoice with us
my brother Richard has returned alive
and well. He arrived in England two
days ago, and reached US late last night,
We were completely taken by surprise, as
you may imagine. Richard has gone to
Gatewood; can you guess why? Next to
myself, of course Marcia will be TODAY
the happiest woman in England. am so
glad, l can scarcely write coherently or
legibly-but I know you will understand.
Sir Arthur and he have made I'D their
quarrel.
"Now, I have a favor to ask: Nav Tor
we-bring Richard with us this evening?
He has promised to come if you will ask
him, although, as he says, he is mot
very fit But I do SO want you to meet
and be friends. You remember what Won
said the other day. I can imagine there
will be plenty of things for you both to
talk about.
Send me line to say Yes and be-
lieve me.
Ever yours affectionately.
"STELLA.
"P. 81 forgot to say that Rick says
he is a TerV rich man. and ba has shav a6