The Washington herald., 1912-07-07
CHAPTER. XIV.
A Friend.

A Friend.
| a MAN in the city, who was al
4 ~ old friend of Lord Nunneley
= stopped the latter as he wa
on the point of ensering his club.
by the bye. Nunneley." he said, "dic
understand think / saw it in tn,
papers-that the marriage between you
daughter. and Stirling Deane was off ?
The engagement has been broker
off" answered Lord Nunneley, littl,
stifiy. 'Why?'
That's all right" said the man. "Th,
only thing was that as l was one o.
the people you came to, to ask abou
Deane. felt that if it was still on
ought to tell you that things aren't sup,
posed to be just the same as they were
DO you mean about Deane?" asked
Lord Nunneley.
His friend nodded. There are some
very curious rumors going about" he
said. You remember, of course, his
charging a man named Hefferom-s
South African-with an attempt Al
blackrrail the other day? The mar
was committed for trial. and there was
not much came out in the evidence be-
fore the magistrates. Since then, how
ever, people have been talking. They
say that Heferom had actual knowl-
edge of documents proving that Deane's
title to the Little Anna Gold Mine was
a false one. and that the mine in reality
belonged to Hefferon himself and .
partner"
That sounds like very curious
story" Lord Nunneley remarked. IF
it is true, why doesn't Hefferom pro-
duce his document and have done
with it,"
| Because 4 has been stolen" the 9TH
er answered. There are all sorts of
stories going about, too, concerning the
theft The point remains, however,
that there is a strong feeling that the
document in question does exist, ard
that it may turn up. If so. of course,
it would ruin Deane- ! see that the
shares of his corporation have had a
most tremendous drop, so it seems as
though there might be something in it
Buy a special edition this afternoon,
and you'll know more about it"
Lord Nunneley nodded Thank
YOU" he said. q will do So"
Lord Nunneley walked slowly along
Pail Mall. After all. there was no need
to buy paper. On the placards which
the boys were displaying as he neared
Trafalgar Square were great headlines !:
Extraordinary Drop of Shares in
the Gold Mines Association. Panic in
the City"
Lord Nunneley bought a paper. and
stood for a few minutes reading it
Then he called a taxicab, and gave the
man the address of Deane's Offices He
was well known there, and Deane's
confidential man at once came forward.
Mr.. Deane will see you, of course,
my lord" he said He is really dis
engaged now, but we are obliged to
deny him to everybody because OF these
interviewers. VIII you come with me,
my lord?"
Lord Nunneley found himself usher
ed into Deane's private room. Deane
was debating rapidly to his secretary
As usual he was calm, self-possessed.
carefully groomed and dressed. There
was nothing about his appearance in
any way to suggest panic. He heard
his visitors name, however, with sur
prise.
'Nunneley!" he exclaimed, rising to
his feet
Lord Nunneley nodded, and held out
his hand 81 was in the city and
thought I'd look you up. Deane." he
said. Can / have word or two with
your"
Certainly" Deane answered. Give
until | ring" he added to his secretary.
Lord Nunneley accepted an easy
chair and also cigarette, but he SEEM
ed in no great hurry to explain his
business. 81 was very sorry, Deane,"
he said at last. TO see the papers this
evening. / hope the trouble isn't very
serious"
DO you hold any of our shares?"
Deane asked.
IF l did," said the other, coloring
a little, Il should not have come here"
Deane accepted the reproof. Il beg
your pardon"
Il dare say" continued Lord Nun
neley, my coming seems to you, under
the circumstances, a little superfcous. |
However, what / wanted to say is this. |
You see, Olive is our only child, and |
that made US very anxious about any,
thing to do with her. l am sure that |
you yourself must feel now, when you |
are under so much anxiety, that it is |
better not to have the added RESPONSE |
bility of your engagement upon your
shoulders"
q have never questioned your wis
dom in breaking it off," Deane said
quietly. Under the circumstances,
agree with you that it is very good
thing"
That's all right" Lord Nunneley
continued, little hastily. "Of course,
neither YOU nor Olive are children, ana |
YOU are not the sort to wear your hearts
upon your sleeve In short" he added,
somewhat abruptly, you'll both get
over it. There's no doubt about that
didn't come to revert to this matter
at all. / simply wanted to say that
though our relations are changed, still
do feel a considerable amount of friend
ship for you, Deane, and | wanted to
come and just tell you l was sorry. And
look here" he went on, little awk-
wardly, I've between seven and eight
pounds for which / am look
ing for an investment, and if the mon
eys any use to you, Deane, why say
the word. and III write you check
On the spot"
Deane looked at his visitor for a
IN an astonishment which tri-
,mphed over the natural impassivity
IF his expression Then a little flush
rose in his cheeks. He got to his feet
md held out his hand.