The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-01-18
The Rose
In the Ring
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
Copyright 1910 by Dodd. Mead q Co.
BY GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
Copyright 1910 by Dodd. Mead q Co.

found n hastily scrawled note from
Artful Dick Cronk. He had remained
at the Noakes' until midafternoon dis
cussing the sinister attitude of Thorn
as Braddock. Joey had ~stubbornly
maintained hat it was worse than
useless to have the man locked up. 1t
would merely delay the contamination
of his purpose. Jenison AT last came
to his way of thinking. although not
without a twinge of misgiving. 1t
was his firm opinion that Braddock
bad in no way reformed.
Dicks note bore the disturbing news
that Colonel Grand had returned to
town and that Mrs. Braddock was ex-
pected the following day. Ernie had
obtained this information through the
friendly Portman servant, who, to
quote Dick, affected the hunchback's
society. because he believed that the
touching Of a hump would bring good
luck" Old Mr.. Portman. it was given
out. was oh his way to his summer
place in the Adirondacks. Naturally
he would be accompanied by his
daughter and Christine. They were
due to arrive at 4 O'Clock and expected
to remain i'm town for ten days.
David spent Il miserable night. He
was obsessed by the fear that Brad
dock would seek out Grand that very
night. The next day he tool Joey and
Ruby to luncheon at Delmonico's. All
through the meal he was busy pictur-
ing to himself the girl who was whirl-
ing northward. nearer and nearer to
him with Zach minute of time. She
would he tall and slender and shapely.
His minds eye Travelled backward.
Her hair would be brown. But g
as he constructed her to please his
eager Imagination he quailed befor
the specter of doubt, Was the heart of
the girl of fifteen unchanged in the
woman of twenty;
He caught the ferry soon after lunch
con and was at the station on the 9th
err side of the river long before the
train was due. There his eyes rested
on n squat, m%isshapen figure. Ernie
Cronk's presence was disquieting in
more than one sense. Dick had said
that Braddock was hanging round
with his brother. David searched the
scurrying thrvag for IA glimpse of the
drab. sinister figure of Christine's ia
ther. all the while conscious that
Ernie Cronk's baleful gaze was upon
him. He considered briefly and then
decided to consult the cripple. As he
made his way over to him he noted
that Ernie was tiashily dressed, al
most TO the point of grotesqueness.
Hello. Ernie said David. Ernie's
arms were folded cross his breast.
As he gave no sign of unfolding them
David did not prefer his hand.
You don't have TO speak to me if
you don't want to-" muttered Ernie,
his eyes swapping.
Where is Braddock?" asked the 9th
err imperturbably.
I'VE are trying to keep him from
hurting Christine said David.
He amt going to do that" said
Ernie quickly. Hes after Grand"
Just the same, we are afraid. Is he
hereg"
mo; he's asleep at my place. if
that'll do you any good. I'm not going
to turn against her father. which is
more than the rest of you can say.
You can tell her, If you want to. that
I'm still his friend" 1t was plain to
be seen that he was adopting this pitt
full policy as a NEAR of gaining the
attention of the otherwise unap-
proachable Christine. HE was up all
night-looking!,"
For Grand?'
Suddenly his eyes flew wide open. He
was staring past Jenison.
David turned. Not twenty feet away
stood Colonel Grand twirling a light
walking stick and surveying the
throng with disinterested eyes. He
had seen and ignored Ernie. but had
failed to recognize the young man
whose back was toward him. Grand's
presence in the station could have but
one meaning. \ great wave of re-
vulsion swept through the Virginian.
His lips were dry. He moistened
them. Ernie. observing the movement.
concluded that he raj muttering ome
thing to himself.
'Say it to his face. why don't you?"
he recommended sarcastically. Before
David could interpOse the ~hunchback
called out to Colonel Grand. The lat
ter turned quickly. For a moment he
stared intently at the a of the tall
young man. Suddenly light broke in
upon him.
why. it's Jenison!" he exclaimed
and advanced. an amiable smile on his
lips. David ignored the extended hand.
Grand seemed TO have grown nj
older. nor was he less repulsive to look
upon. As of old. he was carefully.
even immediately, dressed.
Ernie Cronk moved away. They
might have heard him ~chuckling softly
TO himself.
Let me see. It's five years. isn't it!'
49,