The Washington herald., 1907-11-17
CHAPTER XVIII-(Continued)

CHAPTER XVIII-(Continued)
st. Quintin had long ceased to identify
him with the Uncanny imaginings which
centered round his fellow guardian. and
it was with a shiver that he was brought
TO a recollection of the suspicious which
possessed him. when Monsieur Leblanc
said in his sweetest manner:
well. Williams. and what are we TO
say 20 Mr.. St. Quintin's proposal for
Marie Densley's hand?'
Mr. Williams looked at the young man,
and burst into a roar of laughter.
ITO judge by what I've heard and seen
Of him. said he. lit doesn't matter much
what we say. for if we refuse TO let him
marry her, he'll contrive to do it all the
same, Eth, that's about the size of il.
isn't it, St Quintin?'
The young man laughed
well. I suppose 1 may as well own
that 1 wouldn't give her up except by
her own wish. he said sturdHy
THAT being so. there's very little more
to be said. I'm only thankful that it's
case where we have as little need TO
interfere as we have inclination
But she has other suitors. Ought
you not at least 10 see them?" suggested
Monsieur Leblanc.
or course, III see as many as you
like" said Mr.. Williams. promptly: and
equally, OF course, must make the ac-
Quaintaince of the young lady herself
before 1 give my formal consent. But I
may as well tell you 81 once, st. Quin-
tin, that it's only a matter Of form, for
I'm satisfied the girl has set her heart
on you, and now l see you. ! don't Won
der I know you're well off-nOt that
that is Of so very much consequence in
her case-I know. for I've made inquir
les, that you're a good fellow, and I
know from Miss Densley's own messages
that you're the maa of her heart When
she arrives tonight. therefore. I'm pre-
pared TO say, like the fathers in the
plays. Bless you, my children"
Thanks "A thousand times" said st.
Quintin. gratefully. with a spasm Of
hope and JOY which was, however. speed
ily changed to "a different feeling when
Monsieur Leblanc said softly.
Before we settle definitely. though.
we must ask Mr.. St Quintin TO fulfill his
promise 20 get me out Of the difficulty
/ am in with Capt. DarnaIL He is
deluging me with applications for his
e5000"
"Deluglng you, is he? Well We can
soon put a stop TO the deluge. St Quin-
tin has come prepared 20 shell out, ] sup
pose; haven't you?"
Yes" said St. Quintin at once.
And then something. he scarcely knew
what-a glance, a movement of the eye
lids. scarcely perceptible gesture, on
L
pause. lie corrected himself.
THAT is to say. 1 am willing to ad-
vance the $1,000 the day Marie Densley
becomes my wife"
There was ever so short a pause, but
it was enough 70 let him see that he
did right 70 be cautious.
I'm afraid that won't do for our
friend here" said Mr.. Williams. with a
nod of the head toward Leblanc. You
will have 70 get rid of him before that
won't you, Leblanc?"
If l do not he viii Illustrate the mar
riage," said the Frenchman. with de-
cision. He would stick at nothing"
You hear, St. Quintin. Now what do
you say?'
St. Quintin hesitated. looked down a
moment. made up his mind.
If" said he, quietly. Miss Densley,
when she comes here tonight. agrees be
fore YOU all 90 marry me without delay.
and you agree solemnly 10 il as Well
then / will write you out a check for
the money this very night Not other
wise"
There was another short pause. and
then Mr. Williams rose with a hearty
slap of his knee.
We'll said" he cried. "'Then tonight
we arrange matters, and in a fortnight
you will be man and wife"
But Monsieur Leblanc looked pale and
harassed. and did not join much in the
conversation which went on between the
other two.
who is going to meet the ladies?'
asked Mr.. Williams, presently.
Il will said St. Quintin, quietly. TN
order trap at the inn, and drive to
Doncaster."
When this was settled, the time drag
ged and conversation grew somewhat
intermittent. Even the genial Mr.. Will
Jams became grave and almost taciturn.
and St Quintin grew more and more
convinced that there was no intention
of bringing Marie Densley 10 the North
at all.
But he kept his doubts TO himself.
smoked cigarette after cigarette in the
company of the two men until it was
nearly s o'clock. when he took up his
bag. and saying he would engage rooms
ut the inn and get a conveyance of some
kind TO take him 10 meet the 1905 train.
shouldered his own portmanteau. told
the two men he would be back with the
ladies by midnight, went out and toward
the Red Lion.
He did engage a dogcart. and he did
drive into Doncaster.
But ST Quintin had his curiosity 20
satisfy and when he had left his bag
and pOrtmanteau at a hotel in Doncas-
ter, he returned 90 Densley in another
vehicle. having sent back the dogcart
20 put them Off the scent
He knew that they would expect to
see him back again, either very angry