The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-05-13

one afternoon, ABOUT three weeks be-
fore Christmas, / was seated in cham
bers reading the Life of Lord Eldon,"
| when my clerk announced Mr.. Stehpen
Burchell. l threw the book aside n
sprang up to greet my old chum, for
Stephen and 1 lad been at oxford to-
gether.
My dear Stephen. I'm delighted to
see you," / exclaimed. Selling his hand
and drawing him into the room. The
sight of yon is as good as a day by the
sea. 1t was only today that l was
envying You the rich mans privilege to
do what he pleased"
Don't, old man." he said In a tone as
II I had hurt him. n threw himself
listlessly into a chair.
My dear old chap" 1 exclaimed.
drawing my chair nearer to him, what
is the matter"
Tom" he said. "Milly has Tilted me-"
"Milly Hardwicke!" / exclaimed, re-
Numbering the prettiest girl and most
daring h-orsewoman in the county;
why, it's only six months ago since
you told me you were engaged to her"
Yes" he answered gloomily. but
six months We're long enough for her to
grow tired of me. She tells me she
loves another man"
Money!"
mo, and that's to her credit-she
doesn't care about money" stephen re-
turned. He's a man nalne Ridway.
Lady Morton thinks q lot of him"
What is the brute like?' l asked.
ooh, he's good looking in the Italian
waiter style-pale face, regular feat
ures. and curly, black hair, and with
manners OF the most i'll bred ease. /
don't know what Milly sees in him. for
he can't ride for nuts"
Has Milly any money!" I asked
quietly.
No; that is to say, nothing TO speak
OF" he answered with a rich mans in
difference.
How much"
'oh. about five 81 six thousand. I be
lieve. You don suppose-
Il don't uppos anything. What are
you doing toni2ht?"
We'll. L was going to ask you to dine
with me at the Carlton, if you're not
engaged"
IAN right, old man, IN be there about
eight"
When l met Stephen Burchell at she
Carlton he looked at me With a wist-
full eagerness.
asked ~anNtously.
Yes, l have thought of many
things" answered in my most judi
cial manner but at present 1 want
only 10 ask you one or two questions.
Where does this Ridway live"
AT IL Hlghbuly Mansions, kensing-
ton"
What is his means of %livelihooa?"
II don't quite know, but l believe he's
some sort of Il professional singer.
What has that to do With it?" he said
lmratiently.
us he still in Norfolk" 1 went on.
Ignoring his Impotence.
No, he isn't. at least, l don't think
he is. I believe he left two days go,
but he's going back to spend Christ
mas with the Mortons. They're hay
Ing some kind of q musical party, and
he's to be the master of ceremonies, or
the conductor. whatever they call it,"
Have o got any letters from Milly
written while she was engagedF"
Yes, hundreds; but what have they
go to do With it?"
"a good deal" l answered quietly.
did you ever hear of damages for
breach of promise of marriage?"
He glared at me as if he thought l
had taken leave of my senses.
Good ~heavens!" he cried: damages
you don't for a moment suppose"
Il suppose nothing, only that you do
not wish his Mr.. Ridway to marry
Miss Hardwicke. I presume L am right
in that?"
He nodded eloomily.
You mustn't forget. old chap" lie
said, that II he isn't a gentleman, l
am, and won't have any of your mean
legal tricks. III go straight. whatever
happens"
"They do you very we'll here" 1 re-
Piled, applying myself to the soup.
On the next day 1 went down to the
firm of Jacob Isaacson & Sons. solicit
ors, in Lincoln Inn Fields. Young
Jacob had been at Oxford With me.
His firm had the reputation of knowing
everything about everybody. and in
twenty-four hours / was in possession
OF certain facts about Mr.. Ridway. He
was a musical artist, l ascertained. ex-
trayagant and licentious. There were
many judgment against
him, and he was in danger of commit
tai.
When I had obtained all the tnforma-
ton which the firm could give con-
corning Mr.. Ridway I called a han
take me to No. ~ Highbury Mansions.
kensington.
BY the dim. evil-smelling lamp I
found the name of Mr.. Arthur Ridway.
1t was some little time before my sum
mons was answered. and l was about
to knock again when the door was
thrown open, and / caught sight of a
pink morning gown fitting rapidly
across the passage.
mi. Ridway?" 1 asked.
Yes. 1 am Mr.. Ridway. Will you
please come IMP"
My host motioned me to a saddle-bag
chair by the fire.
"Have you the writ" he said quite
amicably.
I burst out laughing. ], Thomas Fair
TAX. barrtster at law. to be mistaken
foc a whatsoever. 1t was too prepos-
ferrous.
well. what are you?" Mr.. Ridway
asked, rather abashed.
i handed him my card, which he ex-
arnined carefully.
Well. IL you haven't got a writ,
what on earth do you want with me %
he exclaimed.
IT .snali tell you very quickly" I
answered. 10 begin with, am a
friend of Mr.. Stephen BurcheIl. whom I
think you known"
He nodded uneasily.
Mr.. Burchell was engaged to be mar
RED to Miss Milly Hardwicke," l went
on, and 1 understand she has now
promised to marry your"
He smiled at me With intolerable con-
ceit.
Miss Hardwicke has a fortune of
f500.000," l continued.
"Sfx-at least" he corrected eagerly.
THANK you" I said. Mr.. Burchell
VIII be glad to know accurately"
Why. what has he got to do with
MNly's fortune?" he spoke out.
IN little. You see, he intends taking
an action against her for damages FOR
OF promise of narraoaT