The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-03-02

Il SnOuiu cot bother you with any
thing except business. and as this Is
Of a private nature I must ask you to
invite me to your ROOM"
Linton did not remove his overcoat
when they were closeted together. He
stood with hat In his hand.
1T may surprise you to learn that
my business concerns Miss PresSou
and the legislative ball tomorrow even
ing" began Linton. but Harlan indig.
nantIy broke in.
,"You car have no possible busipea.
with me. sir, in which Miss fress0n's
name may be mentioned. Don't you
use her name-not in any way. DO
you understand
Miss Presson has accepted your es-
cort to the ball tomorrow evening.
Don't you know. Thornton. why you
can't take Madeleine Presson into pub
lie, this whole state looking onf I
hate to say any more thar that. |
don't hin it's necessary for me to saw
any more than that.' His face was
hard, his tone accusing.
Il tell you. you have no right to men.
ton Miss Presson to mer.' cried the
other.
I'm taking 1t on myself, and I'm
giving you a chance by doing it," to-
torted Linton. THE story is bad
enough now. But you'll be drummed
out of this state If you insult an limo
cent girl IN the way you plan to do
In his Indignation Thornton had been
slow TO grasp the fact that his rival
was making hints that both affronIed
n threatened. His conscience accus-
ed him of nothing. He felt the crackle
of paper in his breast pocket. He
promptly suspected that Linton had
Cleaned a hint of the proposed legisla-
ton which would involve Madeleine's
father.
He tried to control his anger.
"Will you kindly explain to me by
just what right you say this" he
sneered-"except. possibly. that you're
jealous because Miss Presson chose me
as her escort?'
Il have a right as a friend of her
mother if nothing elsei am keeping
this thing as still as | can for your
sake, for in this case protecting you
means protecting her. l don't want to
say any more! But sudden illness
must prevent you from accompanying
Miss Presson into public at that ball"
Harlan beat a palm upon his own
breast.
1--WE had enough of this. Linton.
You tell me what you're driving at"
Let me say this in my own de-
~fense," pleaded Linton. ''Spinney was
going right TO Mr.. and Mrs. Presson
with the story. l got it from him al
most by accident. We were talking
over our railroad bill this evening,
Inc he mentioned -FOUR stand. Then
he out with the story hat he picked
up when he was in Fort Canibas.
do not listen to gossip. Mr.. Thornton.
bat it is plain that Spinney has facts.
l nave inquired in a prudent way of
other men from you section. He has
the story, but what they say confirms
it,"
Harlan listened. his blank amaze
ment deriving him of speech.
"Tve said enough now. haven't II"
asked Linton significantly.
mo, you h~aven't!' shouted the 9TH
er, coming out of his lethargy of as
constituent. The recollection of Spin
ney's sinister hints came to him.
what do you mean?'
Il mean that a man who will fool
and throw owe a girl in a way that
drives her away from home and
friends is no fit escort
Ee got no further. He knew a thor
oughly maddened and dangerous man
when he saw one. He stepped back
when Harlan dashed at him, and
Thornton halted of his own accord.
After a time he Gained himself enough
to speak.
"I1l not begin with you, Linton. I'll
begin with the man who started that
damnable lie. oh, that-that"- He
failed his arms about his head, unable
to express himself. you've been lied
to. You don't know any better than
to say that. If you hadn't been jeal-
Gus you'd never have brought the sto-
ny to me. I'll make allowances he
raved on. But the man who started
that story will swallow it with teeth
and blood mixedl'
Linton was impressed, but not rout-
ed. He waited till Harlan was q%uieter.
Il hope you'll get it Strengthened
out" he said coldly. But with a sto-
ry like that extant of course you'll see
the wisdom of the course I've sug-
gested. You cannot afford to drag
Miss Presson's name into your affair"
Into my affair! You dirty pup. do
you dare to intimate-are you lunatie
enough to take stock in any such sto-
ry about me?'
The epithets sent the color into Lin
toms face. III he restrained himself.
Your W grandfather had to take
you in hand about the matter before
you left Fort Canibas, Thornton. l
hoard him sav that much mvSalf Ha