Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-10
was not angry at Mr..
~ Renwyck's accusation. false
though 1t was. He had expect

.ICHARD was not angry Mt Mr..
~ Renwyck's accusation. false
though it was. He had expect
ed 1t all along and had steeled
himself to bear 1t without the turning
Of an eyelash. This would seem to be
his opportunity for confessing his de.
ception, yet now he was checked by
the part the two young ladies' had
played on the previous night. 10 make
a clean breast of 1t would be to involve
them also. and even though it would
clear him personally he could not en-
terrain the thought for single Instant
Yet when Sergeant Flint. the detec
tive. put forth his hand the blood of
the Texan seethed into action. There
ment to resist the law. but in his cold
gray eye there came a warning CLINT,
which was further backed by calm.
tone.
Don't do that. sonny" he said in
words that carried conviction ''There'll
be no trouble. But hands off" Once
more he turned quietly to his host
Nov. MIR. Renwyck, kindly explain
your Charge
at is scarcely necessary" answered
that gentleman in undisguised con-
tempt. .'but II you wish to be further
unmasked before this company | have
no objection, assure you. You en-
tered my house under false pretenses
and with an assumed name. BY your
own confession you hive abused our
trust and hospitality. find you III
my library at O'Clock in the morn
ing. fully dressed. while the window
is wide open and the burglar alarm
switched Off. Can you account for this
extraordinary proceeding on the part
of u guest in n gentleman's house?
II can" he answered calmly. Har-
riet made an involuntary movement Mt
this, but Richard, whose eyes never
lost sight of her. in spite of all that &C.
Cured, checked her with motion of
his hand "As told you. had come
downstairs for book. The night was
warm. and through the window came
very grateful breeze. III wished to
open window. why should | alarm
the entire household with a furious
clatter from a big brass gong?"
There were murmurs of approval
from several persons among the COM
pany, especially the ladies'. but this
only made Mr.. Renwyck more firm in
his just convictions.
Nonsense" he cried, cutter bosh!
Do you mean to tell me that you will
swear in court--as you certainly will
have to-that you opened that library
window merely to let in fresh air?'
There was no other reason" the
Texan answered imperturbably
Mr.. Renwyck tried another tack.
WAS there any other man with you
in the library last night?"
There was.''
Imogene gasped. and Harriet put an
arm around her soothingly.
Hal" cried the financier triumphant.
ly. Perhaps you Will turn states evil.
dence. Well. who was this other
man?"
YOU" smiled Richard 81 remem-
Der you perfectly on account Of your
costume. which was-er-quaint In the
extreme"
Uncle Michael broke into jovial
roar, while Singer of amusement
rippled among the other listeners. The
culprit had scored point, but 1t only
served to put Mr.. Renwyck in warm
err rage.
Officers" he cried. do your duty
] accuse this man-he's theft"
Miss Harriet stepped forward. q
crimson spot glowing on either cheek
but Imogene held tightly to her arm
and dragged her back. Mr.. Van der
Awe was in a state which bordered on
despair. He also had been watching
Imogene and Harriet, and he saw tina
they were far more interested in tho
proceedings of the case than their 81
lenle warranted. Three times Miss
Harriet had started forward, but hel
whimpering friend had always detain
ed her, once going SO far as to stop al
exclamation with a pretty hand across
prettier mouth. What was it Miss
Renwyck seemed so eager to tell which
Miss Chittendon seemed equally de.
termined to withhold?
AT Mr.. Renwyck's order to the de
tectives great excitement filed the
room. Sergeant Flint and his subor
dinate closed upon the Texan. and fol
moment 1t seemed that trouble was
inevitable. :
Stop" said Richard. The tone was
fncisive. and somehow the wondering
company gave obedience "Mr Rem
wyck." he went OH quietly. "you have
called me thief before many wit.
nesses. You will be required to an.
swer for this to me. AS to the manner
Of that answer you know enough of
men from Texas to-
This time Harriet broke away from
Miss lmogene, whitening to the lips
and stretching out her hand to the
group beneath her.
."reXas?" she cried. "rhen YOU
are"-
II am." smiled Richard. "and don't
you say n single word. Well get out
IF this milf too"
Miss Renwyck sank back against the
OAluStsstue. lTelHDIIS lFOIu Ieuu 10
foot. willie her color came and went,
as she stared in silence ut the cowboy
of her dreams. In her heart she had
known it from the first. yet now she
recognized the fact that she loved the
pseudo Englishmun even IL he had moi
turned out TO be her hero of the plains.
How splendid he looked as he faced
the company, striving to shield two
helpless girls by taking the blame of
the robbery upon himself! For hel
sake he was being branded as thief
but this thing should not be!
"Imogene," she whispered. II must
tell. | must. must!"
But Imogene chung to her appeal
lng!y
"oh, don't" she pleaded. "Corne.
lius will be so angry at me. Look AT
him g!owering now! Just wait lit.
tie while shall die Of shame. Please
please!
Harriet bit her lip. 1t was too late
now, anyway. for her lover was speak.
Ing again. and she did not wish to miss
word.
"GantIamap ha woc enr;np ,.>fr