The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-08
Continued

With the $4,000 he could st lesst meet
the demands or his more pressing cred
itors. or. in this land OF opportunity
and quick fortunes. he coIsd probably
nse II as capital for investment and
soon scQuire enough TO pay all his
debts. These reflections were cut short
hy woman's scream. and Cecil look.
I'd ahead 70 see girl struggling in
she grasp Of two men. who strove 70
force her into q closed taxiesb As
the girls cry for help again rang out
Cecil spranS forward There was
hrief conflict. the two ruffians spraug
into the cab. which sped away, and
Cecil found himself supporting slen.
der form.
"oh, will you protect me? the girl
begged piteously.
Now. everything is perfectly all
right" Cecil said Soothinsly and led
her 70 seat What were those brutes
up tor
An imp of mischief danced in the
eyes that Betty kept carefully yelled
by lowered and silky lashcs. Despite
her uneasy conscience, she was be
ginning TO enjoy the game. She sighed
with tragic intensity
1T is but a part OF the base con-
spiracy to rob my poor father OF his
fortune she said sadly. and stole
glance from the corner of her eve.
Lord Cecil was interested. there was
no doubt OF that Had she remarked
that she expected TO have roast beef
for dinner he would have been inter
ested. because il was she who said it.
but this he did not yet realize.
Betty felt the thrill OF the artist in
spired to do perfect thing. and. with
growing enthusiasm she told a won
derful tale-of her poor father. who
had discovered two wonderful rich
mines: how. because he would not SCI
them for song he was falsely a.
eused OF crime; how. having no mouey
20 defend himself in the bribed courts
they had been forced 70 flee: how
they hsd hoped 70 sell one OF the mines
and thus acquire ready money to pro
tect the father and develop the other
mine-the one would yield quite as
the father, III. did not dare go forth
TO attempt 20 make a sale. the villains
being close upon their track. She con.
cluded abruptly and stole another
glance ar Cecil. and she saw that he
believed her
"Pon my word! Quite extraordi-
nary, Y know" he gaSped.
And now | must 20" Betty said.
and rose totteringly. ''Goodby."
But you can't. y know. really
Cecil protested earnestly. Those
chaps may be lurkin about somewh here.
Mayn't T.
You are good and brave. would
Ike you to-" Betty said softly and
leaned upon his arm
Without adventure they reached the
boarding house. and Cecil required no
urging to meet and be thanked by the
poor father
Il wouldn't mind so much. il IL
want for Betty" Carson said with
touching effect, after he had wrung Ce-
ellis hand in gratitude But it is
hard on her, poor little girl. this hiding
in miserable hovels when she might be
IN n palace-and you see that even she
is in danger. II they didn't follow so
close | could get out and sell one of
the mines. and with the money fix
everything all right. Either mine is
enough for me anyhow-worth q mil
lion
Lord Cecil heanf but vaguely. HIS
eyes had been fixed on Betty with
look that had caused her TO turn quick
~ away. suddenly shamed and con.
fused. but with a strange happiness
dawning i'm her heart. Moreover. he
was ponderiug great idea. and it ex-
ploded in words.
BY Jove, | have it, I'll buy one OF
the mines, y know. If | have enough
money!
It was with difficulty that Carson
concealed his elation. Betty half start
ed from her chair. protest upon her
lips, but at CarSons look of stern
reproaeh she sank back speechless.
The amount which Cecil could pay ap-
peared q great disappointment to Mr..
Carson. but ten minutes later he had,
in return for check for $4,000 prop
erly indorsed. handed over the entire
capital stock OF the Golden Hone"
mine. Within half an hour after Ce-
cil's departure the check had been
cashed.
Very early the following morning
Mr.. Monte Carson. in whose pocket
there nestled thick packet OF yellow
bills. and Betty. in whose heart was
an aching pain. and from whose eyes
the smile had gone. leaving only the
wiStfulness. boarded a train destined
for the far west
Later in the same day Lord Cecil.
with somewhat rueful expression, read
tue following concise epistle:
Brown & Co. Mining Stock Brokers New
York
Lord Cecil. sir-Telegraphi inquiry de-
velops the fact that the Golden Hope
mine is worthless We can. therefore.
secure no loan on your stock. Very truly.
BROWN & CO.
Cecil put aside the letter and lighted
cigarette. AS he smoked he ponder
ed and Il great light seemed suddenly
to break upon him,