The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-04-24
CHAPTER /

h~angtngs, the uncomfortable lookira
nalrcioth furniture, the faded rag car.
pet, 1t rested on q small trunk In the
Lmiddle OF the room, and he frowned.
II wonder what car keep the fellow p
be muttered. "He promised me faith
FULLY he would not disappoint."
JUS then a timid knock sounded or
the door and presently a man entered
\ rough, %ungainly fellow, in a dirty can
vas suit, whose wild hair and beard
made him resemble n Of those gro
tesQue toys that are sold about the
streets during the holidays.
Well, here I be-" said the newcomer
IN a deep, bass voice.
Very good, Jim. Now, you will take
this trunk to the station, without say-
Ing whose 1t is. Let no one know / am
going. Understand"
Sure"
Here is for your trouble" and from
D slender purse the young man passed
over a silver piece, which the other, af-
ter biting, thrust in pocket. Then he
shouldered the trunk, and, with a
Goodnight, guv'nor." went out with
bis burden through the door.
Bennett waited until the heard the
mans step on the front porch, then,
with a parting look around the ROOF
that had been his home for five years.
he blew out the lamp and slipped down
the stairs and into the night.
He made his way rapidly along the
country road. which. without the moon
light to guide him, he could have tray
ersed safely. he knew it SO well. Pass
ing a few dark houses, he came at last
to the entrance Of an extensive estate,
and paused for a momen before the
great iron gate. 1t seemed to him that
the stone lions bearing shields on the
pillars on each side, OF the way were
gr1nntng at him derisively. IT wonder
If I shall ever see this place again." he
murnlured. Am I acting for the best?
I hope So" Then. as he saw a faint
light still glimmered. in the ~gatekeeper's
little house, he passed rapidly on. Fur
Their he found a hole in the tall hedge,
and wriggltng through, entered the
| park.
Evidently, 1t was not the first time
that he had found mis- way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way, for
here, where h old trees interlaced, not
a CLEAN Of moonlight penetrated the
place. Yet no walked on without
stumbling through the blackness, COM
lngp% presently to another hedge, scarcely
higher than his shoulder. A silvery
radiance shone over this part of the
park Hero he paused for a moment to
listen. then STEPPED back again into the
shadows. There was the sound of
rustling leaves. and then O man ap-
peared In the moonlight.
Dick could only make out hat he
was tall and ragged, for his face was in
the shadow Of an overhanEing Dough.
Only for q moment did the stranger
stand there, when he turned and made
of In the direction OF the house, the
lights of which could be seen cleaning
IN the distance.
"Wha can his ruflan be doing
hers?" muttered the schoolmaster, as
he came out into the path again. IA
poacher. no doubt. after Elison's fish.
Better buy such things than have a
stocked lake to attract. all the wander
Ing vagabonds in the country
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously over, and, catching
sight OF something white in the dis
lance. uttered a low whistle. The young
woman. for such the white object was,
running forward. opened a gate in the
hedge near at hand, and came toward
him. b,
"Oh. Dick!" she began impulsively,
lifting her face to his, what does it
what can it all mean?"
Il will tell you-but not here. Come,
we are far too near the house to talk in
peace" and he drew her away into the
shadows, but still in sight of the moon
lit path.
Finding q fallen tree, he pressed her
to sit down, and then took a seal beside
her.
"Now, then, tell me quickly. Don't
you see, I am burning with anxiety?'
she said.
There is little more to tell you than
that I think it best to so away It is
only a question Of time before I should
be sent. Your mother has learned of
our attachment, and she could easily
break it off, h believes"
"She little knows me-" replied the
girl. firmly. After all, what can she
do?" -
We'll, the first step would be to get
your father to discharge me, and that. /
believe, he contemplates doing, though
he has been friendly to the last. Still,
h could Persuade him. I feel sure of
1T. Then. you see, I would have to go
anyway"
But what is to become Of me-
what am I to.do?' almost in tears. She
was little more thar a child, barely II.
Il don't want you to go-I won't have
it, with a stamp Of the foot
MY dear. I am acting for the best
firmly. My usefulness here is over
: and to remain would only make matters
more d~isagreeable for you, as well as
me. I am going to the city, where there
is some chance for me to show my abil.
ity. if I have any. There is no chance
for me to rise here, and when I have
made a competence, and am in a posi-.
ton to take care Of you as you deserve
why, We Will marry, In spite of the
world"
And will that be very long-very
very long," h asked, in a dolefu
mot long, If the world appreciates
my transcendent genius" with a flip.
pant air. mot long, if hard work ane
APPLICATION will lift me TO a respectable
place in society,""
Still. 1 think it Is very mean Of 70,
to 60" pOutingly,
Don't think it is not g. wrench TO,
me to part from you.
But the girl refused to be comforted
and it was only through lavish endear
ments and many promises that she be
came more composed and reasonable
and began to share his views, that i
was for the best.
but we can't part this way" sh
protested. II must give you something
to remember me by. Just wait here TO
a moment until I run yer to the house