The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-07-26

reasons Tor what | say. When We took
The Rosary did not know that mat.
ters were 30 awful; indeed. was
aware then that Mr.. Digby was re.
turning to New York. But last night
l overheard something--I cannot say
more. Only keep Oscar Digby away.
aud II possible do not betray me. Yet
II there Is no other way, tell him that
l. Muriel Seattle, said So"
She rose and stood regarding me
piteously for an instant. II must fiy,"
she said. IF this visit Is discovered
my lie Is worth very little"
After she had gone sat In amaze.
ment pondering over the strangeness
OF the occurrence. 1t seemed to me
that the girl must be temporarily In.
sane. but nevertheless was haunted
and disturbed by her mysterious eau.
ton. And when on the next day Dig.
by, whom ! had not seen for years.
called unexpectedly. I recalled Miss
Scaiffe's visit with feelings OF decided
apprehension. Before Digby went
away he and had been very close
friends. and was delighted 70 see
him again. His broad forehead. his
keen blue eyes. his strong. muscular
hands. all denoted strength Of mind
and body.
We'll. Halifax" he said, II have
a good deal TO tell you. I have made
an amazing discovery. do not know
whether you are sufficiently CONVEX
SAINT with out-of-the-way places on the
globe. But, anyhow. want to In.
form you that there is a wonderful re-
gion. little known. which lies on the
watershed OF the EsseQuibo and ANA.
zon rivers. And there | have dIscoy.
cred spot close to Lake Amacu that
Is simply laden with gold The esti-
mates computed on my specimens and
reports make ii out TO be the richest
place in the world. The whole thing
Is as yet a close secret, and I have
come to New York to put II into the
hands of big financier A company
must be formed with capital Of $780,.
100000 TO work IT,"
Have you charts OF the iocation?'
asked.
"Yes. but those would rather not
disclose, even to you. old man. just
yet"
We'll, Oscar" said. the man you
require Is Horace Lancaster, the big.
gest financier in New York today. He
is q good friend and patient OF mine,
and II you can satisfy him with your
charts and specimens he will undoubt-
eddy float the company. Unfortunate
ly, happen to know that he is at
present in Paris. and won't be back
for a week. You are prepared to
await his return?"
Yes. II you think It best" he re.
sponded. "Will you dine with me at
my club tonight and talk things
over?"
with pleasure" responded.
by the way" continued Digby,
some friends OF mine, Brazilians.
ought to be In New York now: a lady
OF the name of Seattle. with her pretty
little step-daughter an English girl.
I should like to introduce you to them.
had a letter from Mrs. Seattle as |
was leaving Brazil. telling me that
they we're en- route for New York and
asking me 10 look them up In town.
Her brother, Senior Merello, is a most
charming man."
III I were you" said, gravely. Il
would have nothing to do with those
people. l happen to know there where
abouts. and the little girl does not
want you to call on them. Better
take her advice, Digby; she looked
good and true"
He gazed at me in evident surprise.
and seemed q triHe put out. True"
he repeated. "Of course she Is true.
II tell you. Halifax. 1 am quite fond
OF her. The MOTHER mean the STEP
mother-is a magnificent woman.
was staying at their Quinta last win
tier. But I don't understand your
warning. Has little Muriel lost her
head?"
"she Is anxious and frightened.
Tho whole thing seems absurd. But
she certainly was in earnest when she
begged me to keep you away from her
step.mother, and I half promised TO
respect her secret. and not reveal 10
YOU where they are ut present
Digby did not seem pleased at THIS
candid avowal. but he made no com
ment, and took his departure. Tnat
evening we dined together. and went
into the subject Of his great discovery
He showed me his specimens and re-
norris and interested me SO much tnat
Ii too. began to long for Lancasters
sneedy return. Three or four days
nassed and the financier was stu de-
tanned In Paris. One afternoon D'soy
rushed excitedly into my room. :.
.Well. Halifax" he cried. you can't
srht against fate. The little girl mas
discovered herself. She came to see
No NJ INV hotel and declared that sne
,u.t couldn't keep away. took ner
ITO INV arms and Rugged her. we
viii have a wedding when the com.
nany IL fioated. and this even,ns' olo
chan I dine ut The Rosary. you see:
rnov all about the secret retrest %
era scsifYes by this time. dine tnere
,on,sht and they want you to come
too" ..,.. when some