Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-03-30

$50 ~ NAAS A'1sAA y W. 80 -
prIsed Jehu. Had Sir Allen Joyce ar
rived? No2 That was a small piece
of good fortune, Gerard thought; he
was afraid he would not be in time TO
welcome his Old friend on his return
with his bride.
4 suppose ii wasn't extraordinary for
him not 20 say by which route he was
coming" unused Gerald, as he wended
his way to the smoking room. He
was never a man Of worry about de-
tails, otherwise he would have man
age his investments and certain 9TH
er affairs himself since settling down.
AS nearly as 1 can gather from what he
does say he ought to ave been here
by now. Train late probably"
Gerald sat down in a corner and
lighted a cigar. His mind was full OF
his friend just then. They had been
at school together, and had zone q good
deal of roughing it in the colonies aft
erWards, Gerard a been obliged to
give up that life about six years pre-
viously, owing to a partial breakdown
in health, but Allen Royce had con-
tinued the rowing career, and w years
G had struck g good thing n made
money. II is probable, however. that
he would have continued his mode of
living had he not Unexpectedly come
into his title and a goodly income.
Gerard himself had been very for
tunate n for the few years during
NAA1SlA lC bECll CCpdA dLSCu lloilA illo
chum he had some difficulty in max
ing both ends meet. He never allowed
Royce to know this, as he did not wish
his friend to think he was ~"sponging."
1t was an excess of independence, but
Gerard conceived that 1t was the prop
er course.
And now he Is married. reflected
Gerard. WHO would have thought it,
at his age-forty-fve! Met his wife,
and fell so desperately in love with her
that he proposed and was married
quietly by special license during a
stay in the AXE district up north. /
am curious to see the woman. Met her
near Windermere."
The smoke curled about Gerrard's
thoughtful bronze face as he pulled
slowly and deliberately at his cigar,
keeping time with his mediations as it
seemed.
He would be a mode husband; he
would lavish every care, every atten-
ton, on his wife. If the woman actual
'ly didn't love him before marriage
which, Of course. is an utter impos-
sibility-she would be forced to do so
by the manifestations of his lover for
her. / know Royce's character"
A hand touched his shoulder and he
sprang TO his feet with
Halo, Allen, old fel-Ohl" he eiacu-
lated, as his eyes fell on the figure con-
fronting him. It's you, Braxton? 1
@*ADNSAAN ~ was NOh AllCll IkOSCG. L III
waiting for him"
so am l." rejoined the other laconi-
cally, taking a seat. "Sit down, Ger
rard, I've something to say"
Does Sir Allen expect your" inquir-
ed Gerard. puzzled.
He looked down at Braxton without
responding to the invitation to resume
his seat.
mo, he doesn't" was the retort. And
i can't say that he will be pleased to
see me, but that is not my business.
Sit down, man, n listen; you may be
able to spare Sir Allen Royce the-well,
let us be polite, and say the pleasure of
seeing me-"
a cruel. cynical smile played about
the lips OF Braxton. Gerard, more per-
picked than ever, sat down and waited
for the other to speak.
People would tell you," began Brax-
ton, calmly, that | am one OF those
individuals who earn their living by the
exercise OF their wits. In the course of
that process I pick up certain bits of
informations which ma and often do,
come handy. In plain language, they
put money into my pocket because the
parties interested are willing to pay for
the suppression of certain unpleasant
facts, which 1 should consider it my
bounden duty to make public II they
didn't open their purse strings"
You are a blackmailer!" declared
Gerard, hotly. He was the soul OF in
tegrity himself, and this mans brazen
talk was almost intolerable. What has
all that to do with the Baronet?"
1T has to do with his new bride
chiefly, observed Braxton entirely I'M
moved. Naturally. what affects her,
interests him, and he ought to be will
ing to pay for silence"
Speak %plainly!" demanded Gerard
sternry. What does 1t all mean?"
Sir Aliens wife is a criminal" said
Braxton, with a trace Of spitefulness In
his voice. "She Is really the woman
who, in various guises n DISCUSSES,
has been committing those robberies
from grand houses, and she is guilty of
other offenses. She is a beautiful and
singularly attractive woman. she In
g~ratiates herself with men and women
of position. receives invitations and
Jewels and all that sort Of thing dis
appear. AS a rule she Is not suspect
sd
1t took Gerard fully two minutes to
recover himself sufficiently to make a
remark.
You mean to insinuate that Lady
Allen Royce is an ~adventuress?" he
asked with a gasp.
az don't ~insinuate anything; / say
straight out that she is that woman!"
declared BraXton triumphantly. II
have indisputable proof! And I'll tell
o more. She is preparing TO gather
up all the jewels and get all the money
lin notes or cash-which she can
wheedle out Of her present husband.
and then--he lighted a match and
blew 1t out-"she will disappear like
that"
"Supposing your statement 20 be cor
rest. what is Ii to do with YOU"
"As q matter OF justice" returned
Braxton evily. II la come here to
point her out to the police as the wom-
an they want for a case up in Scot
land. Unless he added slowly and
significantly, you will undertake to
talk to the baronet and persuade him
TO buy the evidence from me In order
to spare a scandal"
"Never!" cried Gerard, vehemently.
Then you are no friend, and 1 must
try him myself! / would rather have
you do 1t. because you are supposed to
be such chums. but it doesn't matter to
me. I expect Sir Allen is here by this
time, so l will inquire for him! Good
afternoon, Gerard"
stop" commanded the latter. Wait
n little; give me time 10 think! How
much do you want?'
Its worth two. thousand %pounds."
said Braxton. Make up your mind
quickly, for I'm not going to lose my
chances to please You! III give you five
minutes"
---l HI wxfhl NOT.