The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-05-05
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Mr.. Chris Gerard paid the cabman
and ran In almost juvenile fashion up
the steps OF the hotel without listen
q to the Thank YOU. sir!" of the sur
prtsed h Had Sir Allen Joyce ar
rived? No? That was q small piece
OF good fortune, Gerard thought; he
was afraid he would not be in time to
welcome his old friend on his return
with his bride.
IT suppose 1t wasn't extraordinary for
MIN not to say by which route he was
coming" unused Gerald. as he wendell
hts way to the smoking room. H
was never q man OF worry about de-
tails. otherwise he would have man-
aged his investments and certain 9TH
en- affairs himself since settling down.
-A6 nearly as l can gather from what he
does say. he ought to have been here
6y n0w. Train late probably!"
Gerald sat down in a corner and
lighted q cigar. His mind was full Of
his friend just then. They had been
at gch0Oi together. and a uone q good
deal OF roughing 1t in the colonies aft
give up that life about six years pre-
vtously. owing to a partial breakdown
I'm health. but Allen Royce had con-
xlnued the rowing career, and two years
ago had struck a good thing and made
money. It is probable. however. that
living had he not Unexpectedly come
into his title and q gOodly income.
Gerard himself a been very for
funate and for the few years during
which. he had been separated from his
chum he had some difficulty in max
Royce to know this. as he did not wish
his friend to think he was ''sponging.'
y was an excess Of independence. but
Gerard conceived that 1t was the prop
q course.
And now he is married." reflected
Gerard. who would have thought it,
At his age-forty-f1ve! Me his wife,
and fell so desperately in love with her
that he proposed and was married
quietly by special license during a
stay in the lake district up north. 1
an curious to see h woman. Met her
The smoke curled about Gerrard's
thoughtful bronze face as he pulled
slowly and deliberately at his cigar.
eepin time with his mediations as 1t
:seemed.
HE would be a model husband; he
would lavish every care. every atten-
sfl0n. on his wife. II the woman actual
~ didn't love him before marriage
which. OF course. Is an utter impos
aeth-lty-shet would be forced to do so
~ The manifestations of his lover for
eher. I know Royce's Character"
A.hand touched his shoulder and he
,0prang to his feet with
Halo. Allen. old fel-Oh!" he ejacu-
lated. as his eyes fell on the figure con
fronting him. It's you. Braxton? I
thought 1t was Sir Allen Royce. I'm
waiting for him"
.cally. taking a seat. ..Sit down. Ger
tard,r Nv something to say"
Does Sir Allen expect you?" inquir-.
cd Gerard. puzzled.
He looked down at Braxton without
responding to the invitation to resume
hts seat.
3 mo. he DOESN'T was the retort. ..Ana
q can't say that he will be pleased to
0ee me. but that Is not my business.
BIT down. a and listen; you may b.
able to spare Sir Allen Royce the-well,
let rs be polite, ana say the pleasure OF
seeing me.
a cruel. cynical smile played about
q lips OF Braxton. Gerard, more per-
paexed than ever. sat down and waited
for the other to speak.
People would tell you." began Erax-
ton, calmly. that I am one OF those
individuals who earn their living by the.
exercise of their wits. In the course of
that process l pick up certain bits of
1~n4Cg1DatfOhs which may, and often d..
come handy. In plain language, they
put money into my pocket because the
parties interested are willing to pay Tor
h suppression of certain unpleasant
facts. which l should consider it my
b0unden duty to make public If they
didn't open their purse strings"
Gerard. hctly. He was the soul OF in
faegrity himself. and this mans brazen
talk was almost intolerable. What has
Ill that to do with the Baronet?"
TT has to do with his new bride
chiefly. observed Braxton entirely I'M
moved. Naturally. what affects her,
interests him, and he ought to be will
ing to pay for silence"
Speak splainly!" demanded Gerard
Aternly. What does it all mean?'
Sir Aliens wife IS a criminal" said
Braxton. with a trace of spitefulness in
his voice. She is really the woman
who. in various 'guises and disguisas.
from grand houses, II she is guilty of
other ~Offenses. She is q beautiful and
1ihgularly attractive oman she In
gratiates herself with men and women
OF position. receives invitations and
Jewels and all that sort Of thing dis
appear. AS a rule h is not suspect
ed"
It took Gerard fully two minutes to
recover himself sufficiently to make a
femark.
You mean TO .insinuate that Lady
Allen Royce ID an ~adventuress?" he
asked with q gas
81 don't insinuate anything; I say
straight out that she is that woman!"
declared Braxton triumphantly. IT
nave indisputable proof! And I'll tell
you more. She is preparing to gather
sap all the Jewels and get all the money
lin notes or cash-which she can
-wheedle out Of her present husband.
and then"-he lighted q match md
blew It out-"she will disappear like
nfhat!"
AsupposinG you statement to be cor
rest. what Is 1t to do with you?"
"As q matter of Justice returned
Braxton evily. II have come here to
point her out to the police as the wom-
an they want for a case up in Scot
land. Unless" he added slowly and
significantly, you will undertake to
talk to the baronet n persuade him
to buy the evidence from me in order
70 spare "a scandal"
''Never!" cried Gerard, vehemently.