The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-02-17

BEss GABRIEL.
distant look in those soft eyes he di
vined to be one Of longing for that
which she might not possess-the ad-
vantages that other girls had, socially
and educationally; the pleasures they
contrived. the attentions they re-
ceived. the thousand and one slight
things that make existence life for a
woman. He saw her dropping insen-
sibly day by day, growing a little
paler, a shade more aloof and listless.
And he became infinitely concerned
for her.
He told himself he had solved the
problem of her disease. but its remedy
remained beyond his reach. The bust
ness was doing very well indeed. but
it was still young and must be sub
jected to as few financial drains as
possible. AS it ran there was an in
come sufficient to board, lodge and
clothe the three of them. maintain the
credit Of the partnership and now and
again admit OF a slight but advan-
tageous addition to the stock of fix
lures. Things would certainly be bet
ter I'm the course of time. but
1t came to pass that he left the store
early one evening, excusing himself on
the plea of some slight indisposition,
and lost himself for the space of two
hours.
He found himself shortly after at
pause by the gate to the Bohun place.
An aged negro butler. one of the freed
slaves brought from Virginia by the
Bohuns. admitted him to the hall and
took his card. smothering his own won
derment, for i'm those days nobody
disturbed the silence and the peace Of
decay Of the Bohun mansion save its
master. Duncan had long to wait.
"Cunnel Bohun will see yo', subj"
the servant said and ushered him into
the library.
Bohun received the young man
standing. He was as courteous be
meath his own roof as he was impos-
sible away from it.
ne COlolltl AZ yOul oCIN
Ice, sir" and waited grimly.
Duncan had his own way of getting
at things.
"May inquire, sir, if you are ac-
quainted with the firm of l.. j. Bart
lett & Co of New York;"
81 have heard of it, Mr.. Duncan"
"Then would you mind doing me the
favor Of writing to Mr.. Henry Kel-
logg, the junior partner, and asking
him about me?"
The~colonel stiffened. "May ask
why | should do anything so uncalled
for?'
Because it isn't uncalled for, sir. l
mean you won't think so after I've
explained"
Bohun inclined his head. searching
Mats face with his keen, bright eyes.
"You see. sir. it's this way. I want
you to intrust me with a considerable
sum of money. and naturally you would
not do that without knowing some
thing about me-
81 incline very much to doubt that
I should do 1t in any event. Mr.. Dun
cam
"Oh, don't say that. You don't know
the CIRCUMSTANCES as yet" Nat jerked
his head earnestly at the colonel. "You
see. you're said to be one of the rich
est men in town, and I'm certainly one
Of the poorest, so of course l turn to
you in case like this"
Duncan could have sworn that the
eyes were twinkling beneath the saw
agely knitted brows.
you must understand I'm in bust
ness here in Radville-a partner In q
and prospecting concern-ah-
well in point of fact"
"Yes?'
"But we haven't any spare capital.
In fact. we haven't got any capital
worth mentioning. But the business is
sound and solvent"
IL congratulate you. SIR"
THANK you very much. Now, I'm
Interested In a rather singular case,
that Of young woman-a girl.
should say-daughter of my partner.
She's a good girl and wonderfully
sweet and fine, SIR. She comes of one
Of the best families in these parts"
ION her mothers SIDE" suggested
the colonel dryly.
80 I'm told. sir. But she's been
neglected. Circumstances have been
against her. She hasn't had q real
change In life, but she ought to have
4. and I'm going ID see That she gets 1t
ons way or another"
lieu haven't nnishsdr said the