Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-06-11
CHAPTER X.
wv WHEN the young Texan bad
NJ got out Of earshot AIR. Cor
~ rigan leaned back and laugh

w W rigan leaned back and laugh
ed till his plump sides cou!t
stand the strain no more. Rarely haC
he passed so amusing and delightful ;
half hour He lived the lonely life d
wealthy old bachelor, and the com
edy had come TO him In the shape oi
godsend. He liked what he had seer
of the young man immensely. and ht
was prepared to like him more FOL
his fathers sake, but he determined (
make him suffer as much as possible
In payment for his reckless assurance
Besides, he had another end In view
the success Of which depended largely
upon the son of his old friend Bill VII
liams. Every feature Of the game was
a Joy to his merry heart, and I'm order
to watch Its progress he determined tc
be frequent visitor at, Restmore
which promised to belle its name and
become troubled spot, after all. Ris
ing from the bench at last, he cut
across lots toward his own home, hall
mile away, measuring every stride
with sort Of chuckling pedometer.
Meanwhile Richard followed the law
yer's counsel, not only as to closing
his mouth with regard to Mr.. Renwyck,
but as to opening II without delay
with regard to Mr. Renwyck's daugh-
ter. This at least was his intention.
but he found himself once more disap-
pointed Miss Harriet was In her IA
unrfta nm, h. In
book resting In her lap. Richards foot
falls made no sound on the soft green
turf. and, unconscious of his approach.
before he was within hailing distance
she arose abruptly and went into the
house. He followed her forthwith, but
just as he reached the veranda steps a
sprightly little figure bounced out and
greeted him effusively. Needless to
say, II was not Miss Renwyck. Miss
Imogene Chittendon was more fluffy
irritating to the adventurer than usual.
Her motions, like her manner Of speech.
were nervous and spasmodic, not un-
like the movements of humming bird
over bunch of honeysuckle, with the
lord representing the fragrant bios
SONS.
"Why, Lord Croylandr' she twit-
tered, with something between giggle
and shrek. 'how very fortunate! :
was just going out to pick wild flowers
I've never picked wild flowers with a
real nobleman. Please say you are
just dying to give me new expert
ence."
She looked up at him with baby-like
afr OF innocence and admiration and
laughed again.
81 should be delighted" said Rich
ard, telling the first downright lie
which had passed his lips since arriv-
ing at Irvington.
He relieved her of the absurd basket
she was carrying on her arm and start
ed across the fields, cursing inwardly
at the fate which linked him with this
troublesome and irresponsible little
creature and striving outwardly to be
decently polite to her. Unconscious Of
his cogitation, Miss Imogene futtered
at his side. now murmuring idiotic
small talk into his bored ears, now
bouncing with little squeals Of delight
upon some gaudffy colored weed and
depositing 1t In the basket.
1T is so good Of you to come" she
confided. with a melting glance. ut
isn't heavy enough to tire you, is it?
You are SO strong. you know, and so
brave"
She alluded to the basket, which
weighed perhaps four ounces Rich
ard assured her that he thought he
could stand the strain and that he was
not In the least afraid Of butterflies,
the only living thing they had met so
far, which brought forth a fresh out
burst Of gigglesome Joy. Presently she
took a seat upon stone, begged him
to do likewise and began tanning her
self with her hat.
"Do you know" she whispered, II
think shall trust you and tell you a
secret"
"All right" he said carelessly. Fire
--er-I mean do so, by all means" HI
seated himself and added Grammatical
ly, Believe me, maiden. it shall b'
sacred with me-"
"Therer' she cried in triumph. -
knew you could do 1t. though Harrie
says fatty = just fatty - that yol
couldn't"
Couldn't whaty'
"Act"
well, she's right" agreed Richard
II can't. I've been told so before
Where do you get your strange delu
sionsr
Once more her big baby eyes looke
upward with pleading glance.
"But you'd try II I asked you
wouldn't you? You couldn't resist
! begged you = er = real hard. coul
your
~Nothing short OF assassinatio
could make me refuse you," said Ricf
ard, emphasizing the pronoun an
looking sadly out across the Hudson
It was wrong, Of course. but he couidn
help It, and really she was prett
enough to excuse SO venal a lapse.
ooh, you dear, delightful manr' chi
ruped the little lady. Now, lister
Don't look at the river. Look at me-"
II dare not"
sNonsense! You said You were nc
afraid OF butterflies"
II was wrong. am Of one"
sDon't be afraid Of me. ! won't hui
you," said the highly flattered 81
laughingly.
II breathe again. Go on-~
~WelA Lord Croyland. we are goIn
| - have 4 little one act play on Fr