Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-11-07
CHAPTER V.

a
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 a corner of the New
Forest, with a dainty old house built
by Vanbrugh, was on the market, and
be 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 Denecroft and Gatewood. THE
Cedars" was it's name, and to celebrate
his new ownership Kane determined
to give pheasant ball'in 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 a 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"
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.
Il trust your brother is well?" he
inquired.
She started. "Oh, Sir Arthur. you
mean? Yes, he is as usual, thank
you. When you said my brother it
took me by surprise for moment;
all this morning L have been think
ing of my poor brother Richard"
Il think l understand he said sim
ply, eyes and voice full of sympathy.
we have had no news from him for
more than year." she went on. "NIr.
Kane, report says you know South At
RIGA like book; is it possible you
could have met Rick?"
There was a 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"
All! 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-
pied doubtngly. Rick never said
anything about it,
You may be certain that if l had
ever heard your name out there.
Miss Dysart, recent events would
prove an undoubted reminder. But I
am morally sure 1 never met your
brother Tell me all you care to-
may be able to help you"
And thus invited, she briefly out
lined Tor him the story of Kicks exile.
It's 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
Gould you show me his picture?"
he continued. 81 never forget q
face, and if we have ever met I
can tell you in an instant"
THE only photograph I 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.
l should think"
''The very thing!" he exclaimed. .T
purpose riding over to Gatewood, and
will let you know the result"
"I-we-shall be so grateful to you,
Mr.. Kane, for any news or encourage
ment. When l sit here talking to you
about the Cape it seems as if Rick
were not so far away after ALI" And
she flashed him a dazzling smile
through tears which would flow all I'M
hidden at the memory of the exile.
Kane rose as if TO go, and Stella
rose too. He had started for Denecroft
that morning of set purpose to propose
to the girl, but the conversation was
taking turn that he had not foreseen,
and one which might or might not
form propitious prelude to what he
wanted to say.
However, he was not the man 70
shrink from a slight obstacle, and to
leave Denecroft without having spoken
his rede would seem too much like a
repulse or a defeat. So he determined
to make it now or never. But he must
not be too precipitate
Despite his supreme confidence in his
lucky star, Kane knew perfectly well
that In thus raising his eyes to an al
lance with an English giFl of rank and
fortune the chances were dead against
him. year ago the world did not
know his name. Had they met two
years ago he shuddered to think of
what their relative positions would