Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-22

girl; Alan Is dead; I am tho only nm
lucky member OF the family"
The man was talking quite sin
rerely. He even envied his murdered
cousin. Nothing In his words, his
suspicious mode of announcing his
presence, the vague doubts that shad-
owed his past career. puzsled Brett
40 greatly rs that chance phrase.
The ladies came back. laden with
good things from the kitchen, which
they insisted on carrying themselves,
much 10 the establishment OF the
servantA
All women are born actresses.
Their behavior before the domestica
left the impression that some huge
3cke was toward In the library.
The tactful barrister drew Hume
AMI Helen outside to discuss imme-
date arrangements. David promised
faithfully to return from the rectory
IN fifteen minutes. and Brett re-
entered the library.
Robert Hume-Frazer gave evil
dence Of his semi-starvation. He
tried TO Disguise his eagernsss. but in
vain. Biscuits. sandwiches, and
soup vanished rapidly. until Mar
garet suggested a further supply
mo, Rita" said her cousin: II
have tasted too often on the Pam
pas not to know the folly Of eating
too heartily will be all right now,
especially when Mr.. Brett produces
The whisky he spoke about"
The barrister brought a decanter
from the dintng-room. The stranger
was still an enigma. He placed bot
tie and glass on the table, wonder
Ing to what extent the man would
help himself
The quantity was small and well
diluted. So this member OF the fam
lily was not a drunkard.
How did you come to he in snch
\ state!" asked Margaret nervously
ut is hardly six months since ! sent
you $500; not very large sum,
admit, but all you asked me for and
moro than enough TO live on for a
much longer period.
Robert laughed pleasantly. 1t was
the first token OF returning conf
dence. He reached for a cigar, and
sought Marearet's permission to
Wmoke.
my dear girl" ne answered II
am really very unfortunate per
ron. own a hundred thousand acres
Of the best land in South America,
and have been In England nearly
two years trying TO raise capital 10
develop 1t. II I owned a sailed reef
or an American brewery I could have
got the money for tho asking Be
cause my stockraising proposition Is
sound paying concern, requiring a
delay OF at least three years before a
penny OF profit can be realized. |
have worn nv boots ont in climbing
up and down Office stairs to no pur-
pose. Out Of your $500, nearly f40n
went out at once to pay arrears of
Government taxation TO save my
property. OF the remaining hun
dred I spent fifty In fortnight on
dinners and suppers given to a gang
Of top-hatted scoundrels. who,
found subsequently were not wortl
red cent They hoped to feec
me in some way. and their very assoc
citation discredited me In the eyes o
one or two honest men. Oh. ] hav'
had a time Of it, can assure you!"
why did you not write to mi
AGAIN.
He looked at her steadily befor,
~ explained:
Because you are woman"
what has that got to do with II
am your relative, and rich. How
much do you want! II your schem
Is really sonnd, I imagine my solicit
tors might sanction my co-opera
ton"
Again he hesitated.
Thank you, Rita You are a goo
sort But I am not here on a mat
ter OF high finance. ! want you +
lend me. say $3.50. 7 will return t
the Argentine, and take twenty year
to accomplish what could do in flv
with the necessary capital"
Come and see me in the morning
Tho sum You name ia absurd
small in any case. Perhaps MI
Brett Will accompany you. His ad
vice wi,lS be useful TO both OF us
Come early. leave here to-mor
row"
Going away? Where tor"
TO Whitby. In Yorkshire"
well. that Is curious" said Rob
art, who clearly did not Ike TO ques
ton her about her husband
"Mr. Capella is in Naples" sh
added. II cannot say when he wi
return
Her cousins look was eloquent G
his thoughts. He did not like IN
italian for some inexplicable reason
for to Margaret's knowledge the
had never met.
The barristsr naturally did nc
interfere in this family copclave. II
listened intently. and had alread
drawn several differences from III
mans words. For the life OF hin
he could not classify Robert Hume
Frazer. The man was either a cor
summate scoundrel. the cold blood
ed murderer OF Margaret's brother
or a maligned and ill-used man.
Within few minutes he would b
called upon to treat him in one cate
CORY or the other. few question
might efucidate matters considerabl,
The hiatus in the conversato
created by the mention OF Capell
gave him an opportunity.