Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-09-03

There was.
Imogene gasped. and Harriet put an
arm around her soothingly.
"Ha~ cried the financier triumphant
" Perhaps you will turn states evi-
ience. We'll, who was this other
mann
"You." smiled Richard. II remem-
Der you perfectly on account OF your
costume. which was-er-qLAint IN the
extreme"
Uncle Michael broke into a iovial
roar. while Singer OF amusement
rlppled among the other listeners. The
culprit had scored a point, but II only
served to pat Mr. Renwyck in a warm
err rage.
Officers" he cried. do your duty!
I accuse this man-he's a theft"
Miss Harriet stepped forward. a
crimson spot glowing on either cheek.
but lmogene 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 that
they were far more interested IN the
proceedings of the case than their ST
lenLe warranted Three times Miss
Harriet had started forward, but her
whimpering friend had always detain-
ell her. once going so far as TO stop an
exclamation with a pretty hand across
a prettier mouth. What was II Miss
Renwyck seemed so eager TO tell which
Miss Chittendon seemed equally de-
termined 10 withhold?
AT Mr.. Renwyck's order 10 the de-
tectives great excitement filed the
room. Sergeant Flint and his subor-
dinate closed upon the Texan. and for
a moment ii seemed that trouble was
inevitable.
Stop said Richard. The tone was
incisive. and somehow the wondering
company gave obedience. "Mr. Rem
wyck." he went on quietly. you have
called me thief before many wit
nesses. You will be required to an
swer for this TO me. As 10 the manner
Of that answer you know enough of
men from Texas to-
This time Harriet broke away from
Miss Imogene. whitening to the lips
and stretching out her hand to the
group beneath her.
''TexasT" she cried. ~Then you
are
81 am" smiled Richard, "and don't
you say a single word. Well get out
o: this 'milr too"
xw>Ir nh otr inc 10
balustrade. trembling from head to
foot, while her color came and went,
as she stared In silence at 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 Englishman even II he had not
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 "
the robbery upon himself! For her
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
ingly.
"Oh. don'tr' she pleaded. "Corne-
Illus will be so angry at me. Look at
him glowering now! Just wait lit
tie while shall die OF shame. Please,
pleasew
Harriet bit her lip. 1t was too late
now. anyway. for her lover was speak
Ing again. and she did not wish to miss
a word.
Gentlemen" he was saying, mir
Renwyck has accused me OF a crime.
Perhaps he Is justified In connecting
me with the loss OF his valuable prop
erty: but. on the other hand. ] appeal
to you as level headed. thinking men.
His evidence Is purely circumstantial."
Can you prove your innocencew
sneered the financier.
unfortunately. no. nor am com.
PEELED to do so by the laws of the
land" returned the Texan quietly.
"But | can weld as strong chain
around any member of this household
whom you choose to select"
"Donew retorted Mr.. Renwyck an.
grily. make the choice yourself. Go
on"
every WELL" laughed Richard. Il
will. Mr.. Renwyck. select your
'Mer' stormed the millionaire. start
Ing back In genuine establishment.
"Preposterousr
There was a chuckle Of delight from
distant corner. and Mr.. Renwyck
had no trouble at all in fixing 1t upon
Brother Michael Richard stood with
his feet slightly apart his hands In his
pockets. while he began TO rock for
ward and backward on his heels and
toes The humor Of the situation was
coming back again.
"Gentlemen," he said. "and ladies',
too, II you VIII allow me-this is mere
" for the sake Of argument-our hon
orable host for whom, believe me.
have the utmost respect and admira'
don. has unfortunately placed himself
IN very ugly light To begin with
BE- n involved In a certain financial
scheme, the details OF which am mol
at liberty to disclose. Suffice Il Il
ray Il requires q vast amount OF cap
itnl. That Mr.. Renwyck Is pinched
| for money y proved by the fact thai
night before last be urged mo TO place
| 100000 - his enterprise"
"Whaty gasped Mr.. Renwyck. why
| olr~why~-
~Waity' said Richard sharply. =
have TIE foor." Again he turned 4
4 NJ eompany. II declined to lives
this amount or money for reasons o.
ny own. though my host was mucl
| annoyod tharoat."