The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-09-26


"Ah. to be surei You we're away
Christmas eve. when those yandals
broke in. Bates merely mentioned It
~ the last report I got from him in
New York. That was all right. / as
sumed. Of course, that You had gone
on somewhere to get a little Christ
mas cheer; I don't care anything
about it,
But had followed her-I went to
Cincinnati 70 see her--don't you un-
derstand2 She dared me to comet
was a trick. a part Of the conspiracy
to steal your property"
The. old gentleman smiled. Il was
an old trick of his to grow calm as
other people waxed angry.
"She dared you to come, did shel
That is quite like Marian: but you
didn't have to 90. did you. Jack?"
of curse not; Of I didn't
have to go, but"
1 stammered, faltered and ceased.
Memory threw open her portals with
a challenge. I saw Marian on the
stairway at the Armstrong;; I heard
her low, soft laughter; I felt the mock
cry OF her voice and eyes; I knew
again the exquisite delight Of being
near her. My heart told me well
enough why / had followed heri
Jack. I'm glad I'm not buried up
there in that Vermont graveyard with
nobody 10 exercise the right OF guar
dianship over you. I've had my mis-
giyings about you; I used TO think you
were a born tramp; and you disap-
pointed me in turning your back on
architecture the noblest Of all pro
fessiORs; but this performance Of
yours really beats them all. Don't
you know that a girl Ike Marian De
vereux isn't likely to become the agent
of any rascal? Do o really believe
for a minute that she tempted you to
follow her so you might forfeit your
rights to my property"
"But why was she trying to find
those notes Of his2 Why did she
come back from Cincinnati with his
partyg II you could answer me those
things. maybe I'd admit that Tn a
fool Pickering, / imagine, is a pretty
plausible fellow where women are CON
cemed."
For Gods sake. Jack, don't speak
OF that girl as Womenl ] put her in
that Will OF mine just TO pique your
curiosity. knowing that II there was a
penalty on your m1Frying her you
would be wholly HGely to do it.-for
that's the way human beings are
made. But you've mixed Il ali up now
and insulted her In the grossest way
possible for a fellow who is really q
gentleman. And 1 don't want to lose
you; I want you here with met These
rich Americans. who so 10 England 10
live. don't appreciate the beauty OF
their own country. This landscape is
worthy OF the best that man can DO
And l didn't undertake 10 build o
crazy house out here but M that
should have some dignity and charac
ter. That passage around the chin
ney Is en- indulgence, Jaek.-IH admit
it's a little bizarre,-you e that
chimney isn't 50 big outside as Il q
in!-and he laughed and rubbed HI.
knees.-'and my bringing foreign
laborers here was really 10 make .
easier TO get things done my way
Wait tin yOu have seen the May-apple.
blossom and heard the robin sing il
the summer twilight-help me q
finish the house.=then n you wan
20 leave In bid you Goaspeed-
The feeling IN his tone. the display
OF sentiment so At variance with m,
old notion OF him. touched me IN split
OF myself. There was a characteristic
nobility and dignity IN his plan; !
was worthy OF him. And had neve
loved him as now. when he finishes
this appeal. and turned away to tn
window. gazing out upon the sombe
woodland.
Mr.. Donovan Is ready to 80, sir
announced Bates Al the door, and W
went into the library. where Larry anl
stoddard we're waiting.