The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-08-12

word in paying me back the mo,

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your word in paying me back the mon
ey I gave you
50 1 would" replied Max. unheed-
to tell pater about 1t. He doesn't know 1
was at Monte Carlo; he thinks 1 was in
Paris all the time"
Surreymore had too much delicacy to
mention the other means of repayment
Max had limited at, in stating hat he
was engaged to marry an heiress; but he
stated firmly. I'm sorry, but l must
ask you to pay me without delay; the
fact Is, I have debt of my own to
settle in a few days, and l always strive
70 keep my word With those who trust
me-"
"of course you do" Max answered
cheerily, not accepting the mint given
him. TN pay you right enough. but
You must give me a week to do so. I
don't want tic tell my father IL 1 can
help it. but YOU shall ave The money
all right"
Then shall expect to hear from you
by this time next week"
Are o staying in town." asked
Max.
You can write to my club. Letters
will always find me there. Good-day,''
Surreymore said, as he nodded and
passed on.
A week passed. during which time
Max did not trouble himself about re-
paying the loan; and within twelve
days of his meeting with Surreymore
he had dismissed the troublesome sub
ject from his mind, to which 1t was re-
called by a letter redirected to him
from the hall, and written by his cred
itor's solicitors, requesting immediate
payment.
Max had found the missive on the
breakfast table, and his veXation may
be guessed from the fact that it sud
denly deprived him Of all appetite.
To ask his father for the amount he
would ave to explain how it came to
be borrowed. He would no longer de-
no doubt regarding her favorable ans
wer. At this resolution his vexation
vanished. his appetite returned and he
was himself once more.
1t was at 8 o'clock on the following
Saturday afternoon when the London
train pulled up at Balwash. the nearest
station to Knowlesworth hall. He had
not told his people Of his coming to
them, and had intended to leave his
bag at the cloak room and walk across
to the hall that he might give them
a pleasant surprise: but the first per-
son he knocked against on the platform
was one of the hall grooms.
Did you expect me-" Max asked in
surprise.
N sir. am waiting for Mr.. Bys-
she, who is coming by this train. Trap
is outside, sir"
Max sinothered h curse that came
to his lips, n telling the man TO put
his bag In the trap, and that he would
walk to the hall by a short cut through
the park, he hurried out of the station
that he might not meet Godfrey Bys-
she, against whom he found his
old prejudice and dislike suddenly
rising.
1t was the first time he had returned
since he had settled in town. and he
was warmly received by Edith and her
While, when his father presently
came down the stairs with his slow,
cautious steps. his meeting With Max
had all the tender affection which the
count never failed to show toward his
son.
Edith made tea, while Godfrey Bys-
she sat beside her as IL recognizing it
as his rightful place, a proceeding that
annoyed Max. though he strove to
overlook 1t. At dinner time he had lit
tie opportunity of talking to her, for the
barrister, who had always plenty to
say, was telling them Of a lecture he
had listened to at a meeting of the Brit
tsh association, concerning the discov-
cry Of a wonderful island in the Pacific,
When Edith and her aunt left the
table, he noticed how restless Bysshe
was until he rejoined them, and he had
no sooner entered the drawing room
than he offered to give Edith a lesson
In billiards. which she readily accepted.
Max volunteered to play against them,
and while doing SO was angry to think
that they We're partners. On retiring
to bed that night he was not so hope
ful as he had been in the morning of
winning Edith, but he by no means
~despaired, and assured himself he wa
only worried by her receiving that fell
lows presumptuous attentions. Be
fore he fell asleep he resolved on two
things: to keep his on Godfrey
Bysshe and to propose to edith at the
first opportunity that offered.
The barrister did not come down to
breakfast next morning until Edith and
her aunt We're about to start for
church; and When he had finished that
meal. he e briefs and wrote letters
in the library. After lunch he was
taken to the morning room by Lady
about Dunstan; while the count went
with Max to his study, where the lat
ter at once mentioned his intention to
propose to Edith Immediately, a step
warmly approved by his father.
After an hours conversation, Max
left the study intent on finding Edith
n asking her to be his wife; but first
he went to his own room that he might
change his scarf for n more becoming
and see that he was looking his best.
AS he walked to his dressing-table he
looked out of the window and saw
Edith and Bysshe in the grounds be-
low. 1t was not that they were alone
together SO much as their bearing tow
ard each other that seemed to drive
him mao with jealous rage; for she was
looking at the barrister with chances
that plainly spoke of her admiration;
they were SO close that their elbows
met, and when they bent over a shrub