The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11

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 81
lence warranted. Three times Miss
Harriet had started forward, but her
twhimpering friend had always detain-
ed her, once going so far as to stop an
exclamation with pretty hand across
q 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 for
a moment it seemed that trouble was
Inevitable.
"Stop" said Richard. The tone was
incisive, and somehow the wondering
company gave obedience. "N1r. Rem
wyck," he went on quietly, "you have
called me a 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 IeX0S to-
This time Harriet broke away from
Miss Imogene, whitening to the lips
and stretching out her hand to the
group beneath her.
"Texas?" she cried. '"Then you
are
II am" smiled Richard, 'and don't
you say single word. Well get out
Of this milf too.'
Miss Renwyck sank back against the
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 If he had not
surned 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 her
sake he was being branded as thief,
but this thing should not be-!
"Imogene," she whispered, IT must
tell. I must, I must!'
But Imogene chung to her appeal
ingly.
"Oh, don'tv' she pleaded. "Corne-
Rus will be so angry at me. Look at
him glowering 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
a word.
"Gentlemen,' he was saying, "Mr.
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, I appeal
to you as level headed, thinking men.
His evidence is purely circumstantial."
"Can you prove your innocence?"
sneered the flnancier.
Unfortunately, no, nor am I CON-
PEELED to do so by the laws of the
land" returned the Texan quietly.
"But can weld as strong a chain
around any member Of this household
whom you choose to select"
"Done!" retorted Mr.. Renwyck an
grily. make the choice yourself. Go
on"
every WE'LL" laughed Richard, 81
will. Mr.. Renwyck, select your
me" stormed the millionaire, start
ing back in genuine establishment.
"Preposterousv'
There was chuckle of delight from
"a distant corner, and Mr.. Renwyck
had no trouble at all in fixing it 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, land ladies,
too, if you will allow me-this is mere
ly for the sake of argument-our hon.
orable host, for whom, believe me,
have the utmost respect and admira-
ton, has unfortunately placed himself
In a very ugly light. To begin with,
he is involved in a certain financial
scheme, the details of which I am not
at liberty to disclose. Suffice it to
say 1t requires a vast amount of CAP
/, ital. That Mr.. Renwyck is pinched
for money is proved by the fact that
night before last he urged me to place
100000 in his enterprise"
what" gasped Mr.. Renwyck. "Why,
sir-why"-
''Wait" said Richard sharply. Il
have the floor" Again he turned to
the company. II declined to invest
this amount Of money for reasons of
my own, though my host was much
annoyed thereat."
The speculator, who could not i'm
agine what Richard was driving at,
stood speeches. with amazement,
while his brazen guest went on:
Failing in this attempt, gentlemen,
the prisoner at the bar next looks
about him for other means to relieve
his need. His daughter is possessed of
diamonds valued at much more, than
the amount required by him. He has