The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-30

le SltpS OIL lIle lloiel WITHOUT llSlel-
ing to the THANK you. SIR" OF the sur
prised h Had Sir Allen Joyce ar
rived? No? That was Il 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.
II suppose 1t wasn't extraordinary for
him not to say by which route he was
coming" unused Gerald, as he wendell
his way to the smoking room. He
was never a man Of worry about de-
tails. otherwise he would AVE man.
aged 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 have been here
by now. Train late probably!"
Gerald sat down in a corner and
lighted a cigar. His mine was fun of
his friend just Their. They had been
at school together. and had done a good
deal OF roughing 1T in the colonies aft
erwards. Gerard had been obliged to
give up that life about six years pre-
vlously, owing to a partial breakdown
IN health. but Allen Royce had con-
tinued the rowing career, and two years
ago had struck a good thing and made
money. 1t 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 and for the few years during
Which he had been separated from his
chuln he had some difficulty in maxi
ing both ends meet. He never allowed
Royce to know this, as he did not wish
his friend to think he was "sponging."
IT was an excess of independence, but
Gerard conceived that IL 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 deSDerat a1y in Iowa with l,a,.
mat he proposed and was married
quietly by special license during a
stay In the lake district up north. i
am curious to see the woman. Met her
near Windermere."
Inc smoke curled abou Gerrard's
thoughtful bronze face as he putfed
SLOWLY and deliberately at his cigar.
Keeping time with his mediations as it
seemed
He would be a nod husband; he
would lavish every care, every atten-
ton. ON his wife. If the woman actual
~ dldn't lov him before marriage
which, of course. is an utter impos-
slbil1ty-she would be forced to do so
Dy the manifestations of his lover for
her. L know Royce's character"
a hand touched his shoulder and he
sprang to his feet with
Halo, Allen, old fel-Oh!" he ejacu-
lated. as his eyes fell on the figure con-
fronting him. It's you, Braxton? 1
NitOd6Il IL WAS DIT Alien Rn--ra I1o,
waiting for him.
am l." r%ejoined 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.
lie looked down at BraXton without
responding to the invitation to resume
his seat.
NO, he doesn't" was the retort. And
L can't say that he will be pleased to
see me. but that Is not my business.
olt down, man, and 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 1 pick up certain bits of
informations which may, 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
iacts,. which 1 should consider 1t my
bounden duty to make public IL they
didn't open their purse strings"
You are a black,naller!" 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?"
ut has to do with his new bride
chiefly, observed Braxton entirely un-
moved. Naturally. what affects her,
interests him. and he ought to be will
ing to pay for silence"
Speak plainly!" demanded Gerard
sternly. What does it all mean?"
Sir Aliens wife is a criminal" said
Braxton. with a trace of s~pitefulness in
his voice. She is really the woman
who. in various guises and DISCUSSES.
has been committing those robberies
from grand houses. and she is guilty of
other oifenses. 81 is a beautiful and
~stngularly attractive woman she in
gratiates 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
ed"
1t tool Gerard fully two minutes to
recover himself sufficiently to make a
remark.
You mean to i~nsinuate thai Lady
Allen Royce is an adventuress?" he
asked with a gasp
X don't anything; I say
straight Out that she is that wonaan!-
declared Braxton triumphantly. II
a inGisputable proof! And TIL tell
you 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 thcn"-he lighted a match and
blew 1t out-"she will disappear like
that"
"%suppoeins o statement to be cor
rest, what Is 1t to do with your
LAS q matter OF justice returned
Braxton evily, Il ave come here TO
point her out to the police as the WON
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 Il scandal!"
'Never!!" cried Gerard, vehementIy.
"Then you are no friend, and l must
try him myself! l would rather have |
you do it, because o are supposed to
be such chums, but it doesn't matter to
me. l expect Sir Allen is here by this
time, so l will inquire for him! Good
afternoon, Gerrard!"
Stop" commanded the latter. Wait
a little: give me time to think. How
much do you want?"
.'1t'c worth two fbnncap, rn,pdeivl