Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-06-12

manT
You" smiled Richard. Il remem-
Der you perfectly on account Of your
costume. which was-er-quaint In the
extreme"
Uncle Michael broke into jovial
roar, while a Singer Of amusement
rippled among the other listeners. The
culprit had scored point, but 1t only
served to put Mr. Renwyck In a warm
er rage.
"Oficers." he cried. do your duty.
accuse this man-he's thlef!'
Miss Harriet stepped forward, a
crimson spot glowing on either cheek.
but Imogene held tightly to her arm
and dragged her back. Mr.. Van der
Awe was In q state which bordered on
despair. He also had been watching
Imogene and Harriet, and he saw that
they we're far more interested In the
proceedings of the case than their ST.
len,e warranted. Three times Miss
Harriet had started forward, but her
whlmperlng friend had always detain
ed her, once going so far as to stop an
exclamation with pretty hand across
q prettier mouth. What was 1t Miss
Renwyck seemed so eager to tel 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.
"Stopw said Richard. The tone was
incisiye, 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 to 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.
"TeYasT she cried. "Then you
are
81 am" smiled Richard, land don't
you say single word. Wen 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 II from the first, yet now she
recognized the fact that she loved the
pseudo Engllshman 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 Of
the robbery upon himself! For her
sake he was being branded as thief.
but this thing should not be!
'Tmogene." she whispered. 81 must
tell. | must, must"
But Imogene clung to her appeal.
hgly.
"oh, don'tr' she pleaded. "Corne-
lius will be so angry at me. Look at
him glowering nowl Just walt a lit
tie while. ! shall die OF shame. Please,
pleasew
Harriet bit her lip. II was too late
now, anyway. for her lover was speak
ing again. and she did not wish to miss
word.
Gentlemen" he was saying "Mr.
Renwyck has accused me OF crime.
Perhaps he 10 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 clrcumstantial"
Can you prove your innocenceT'
sneered the tinancier.
Unfortunately, no. nor am com.
PEELED to do 30 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"
Done" retorted MIR. Renwyck an.
grIly. Make the choice yourself. Go
on"
VERY we'll" laughed Richard. ~
will Mr.. Renwyck. | select your
Me" stormed the millionaire. start.
Ing back In genuine astonishment
"Preposterousr
There WAS chuckle OF delight from
distant corner. and Mr.. Renwyck
had no trouble at all In fixing II 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 will allow me-this is mere
ly for the sake of argument-our hon.
orahle host for whom. believe me. |
have the utmost respect and admira.
tlon. has unfortunately placed himself
In very ugly light. To begin with
he Is involved In 4 certain ftsnc
scheme, the details Of which am not
at liberty to disclose Suffice II TO
say II requires vast amount OF cap
ttal. That MIR. Renwyck is plnched
for money is proved by the fact that
night before last he urged me 10 place
100000 in his enterprise"
A.