The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-09-28

cast IRON stag, severely weather beaten.
The tinkle OF water from Il hidden
fountain was very grateful to Tom
Darby's ears. At the end of Il glade
he caught gliupses of white Corinthian
columns, evidently the facade of Il
mission. Darby's misgivings vanished
under the influence of this peaceful
scene. If Ruth We're heir to such Il
stately property. then Dorrance-oh,
Torrance was plainly favored of the
gods.
Meanwhile this remarkable young
lady was setting Il pace that was quite
uncomfortable for Darby, who was and
is plump, let us say, and firmly OPP
posed to eXertion at any time SO that
he fell somewhat in the rear and
thought 1t nightly discourteous that
the two should converse in tones 50
low that he was able to hear never IA
word Nevertheless he persevcred
though with much putting, and was
presently rewarded with an easy chair
upon Il broad, coolly shaded veranda
and left there Torrance and his pre-
ciouS Ruth entering the house. engaged
in the most earnest of conversations
of drawing till, to his huge delight, an
aged negro appeared with n tray ana
glasses. He forgot his SORROWS in the
rattle of cracked ice.
From the open window came the
murmur OF voices, a steady monotone
| - pi hut
silence What Oh earth did it all mean
anyway? Darby's glass was empty;
he contemplated it mournfully and
slowly stirred himself TO refill it. He
realized that he was very hungry.
| Dorrance came out abruptly and seat
ed himself on the railing of the veran-
da. Darby ignored him; he was offend
ed to the last degree. Finally, how
ever, Try iulep, Dick" he said;
they're excellent"
You We're ever carnal creature,
Tom
Darby looked ny sharply. Dorrance's
tone was strange. He found him smil-
ing rather grlinly, an odd, truculcnt eX-
preston which was at variance with
his usual placid contentmcnt.
Hello" Darby was alarmed. whats
up:"
Got nerves, Tom
Not nerve. All lost in adipose
tissue" lie promptly belicd himself
by mis- discomposure and repeated
anXiously, whats up?"
Il want your assistance. It's just
this, old fellow, the uncle of this
angel
Meaning your betrothed?' Darby
grinned in hollow fashion.
just the same and Seriously
Darby experienced Il flash of com
prehensiou; this might explain Why
torrance was SO momcntouSly solemn.
Man, you don't actually intend to
commit matrlmonyE"
but | do, and | may before morn
ing"
Lord" said Darby helplesSly.
NO joking matter, Tom. This uncle,
Henry Wharton, as near as ! can make
out, is thorough paced scoundrel."
"The villain of this drammer?
Gwan"
Listen to me, you Internal idiot,
Ruth
Darby wagglcd his head hopclcsSly.
Dorrance fixed him with Il stern glare.
Ruth he repeated with determine
ton, lis heiress to Il peck of property
this and more. Shes an orphan. and
old Wharton is her guardian. She
comes into possession when she's
eighteen, and she will he that tomor-
row"
"A wQman'S age
"Be quiet. If she marrcs before
verts to her guardian
Here Darby grew befuddled.
'"l'hen why in heavens name does
she want YOU"
II don't know that she does except
as an alternative. This amiablc uncle
Is added about money; wants to get
her married, even tried to force her
into Il match with a-oh, a real dayvil-
ish sort of fellow, Fctter by name.
Now, Fetter won't do. according to
Ruth She doesn't want him, or any
body, for that matter"
Not even you?"
Not even me-"
"How do you know" she qucricd
archy from the doorway, and Darby
is positive that Il prettier picture never
was than she made framed in its rich,
sombcr darkness. Are we not en-
gagedt"
81 hope So" Torrance cried fcrvent
ly. IN have you if you'll let me.
though all the world"-
ooh, here" Darby exclaimed hastily,
I'm Il modest man, Go on with the
plot. | begin to see light
Continued in next issue
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