Mower County transcript., 1903-12-30
CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER v.
In due time Rossiter Kane attained
the height of his ambition, and became
a landed proprietor in a country where
the possession of a few acres is the
patent of solidity and gentility, and
the "open sesame to sundry other
things.
A charming little estate in Hamp-
shire, consisting of park and wood
land, carved out of corner of the New
Forest, with dainty old house built
by Vanbrugh, was on the market, and
he promptly secured it. Not the least
of it's attractions lay in the fact that,
although in another county, it was
within riding or driving distance of
both, ~Deneeroft and Gatewood: The
Cedars'' was it's name, and to celebrate
his new ownership Kane determined
to give pheasant ball'' his accus-
toned lavish manner of entertaining.
With the event itself we have not much
concern, but it brought certain matters
to a crisis, as he intended it should
Other things fell out not SO entirely
to his liking.
On bright autumn morning Kane
rode over to Denecroft, ostensibly to
announce the forthcoming function in
person, and inquired for Miss Dysart.
This is very kind of you, Mr. Kane"
said Stella, after his salutations were
made and the object of his call an
nounced.
He bowed his acknowledgements over
the little hand, and at her bidding
seated himself near by. .S ~
Il trust your brother is well?" he
inquired.
She started. ooh, Sir Arthur, you
mean: Yes, he is as usual, thank
YOU. When, you said my brother, it
took me by surprise for momenl,
all this morning have been think
ing of my poor brother Richard
Il think T understand" he said SIM
ply, eyes and voice full of sympathy.
'We have had no news from him for
more than a year, she went on. "Mr.
Kane, report says you know South Af-
rica like a book; is it possible you
could have met Rick?' - ..:- y
: There was wealth of yearning in
her tones, such as Kane would have
liked to see evoked on his own account.
South Africa is a wide country,
Miss Dysart," he rejoined. ''Where
was your brother when you last heard
from him?''
AT Kimberley, Think
"Ah! suppose he went by his own
name?" he ventured, and then, in
answer to her glance of surprise, i'm
plying that no Dysart would stoop to
travel under an alias, because, you
know, lots of new chums out there do
drop their civilized patronymics, and
no one thinks the worse of them in
consequence"
Il don't know, am sure," she re-
piled doubtingly Rick never said
anything about it,.
"You may be certain that if 1 had
ever heard your name saout there,
Miss Dysart. 4 recent III events would
prove an llndoubted reminder. But
am morally sure never met your
brother. Tell me all. you care to-
may may be able to$help you."&
And thus invited, she briefly out
lined for. him the story of Rick's exile
Its common enough story" said
Kane. Hundreds of young English
men leave the old country with no bet
ter excuse and no, better prospects
than he had, and after a few ups and
downs become successful in one of
dozen ways open to men of. courage
and conviction. Take my own case,.'
he concluded, smiling.
Her looks frightened, and his CHEEKY
words seemed to give her renewed con-
fidence.t Fs:$a>5 $38sE'NfE 1$*}4
b.; Gould you show: me. his. picture ?'
ne continued. Il never forget a
face, and if we have ever met /
can tell you in an Instant ~
THE only photograph, have was
taken long before Rick left England.
and l am afraid it would not assist
your memory, Mr.. Kane. But Miss
Churchill has one which was done in
South Africa less than two years ago.
should think" Il
"The very thing!" he exclaimed. q
purpose riding over to Gatewood, and
will let you know the result
''I---we shall be SO grateful to Won
Mr.. Kane, for any news or,encourage.
ment. When ! sit here talking to you
about ff,a Go 10 ~ -, =. =