The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-09-09

tho bar. and, as yet, briefs were Xix
angels visits.
One afternoon, about three weeks be
fore Christmas, l was seated in cham
bers reading the Life Of Lord Eldon,
when my clerk announced Mr.. Stehpel
Burcheli. I threw the book aside an,
aprang up to greet my old chum. 70
Stephen and l had been at Oxford to
gether.
MY dear Stephen. I'm delighted t
see you" l exclaimed, Selling his han
and drawing him into the room. 9TH
sight of you is as good as a day by tn
sea. 1t waY only today that / wa!
envying you the rich mans privilege t
do what he pleased"
Don't, old man." he said In a tone a.
IL 7 had hurt him. and threw himsel.
ligtlessly into a. chair.
my lear old chap" I exclaimed
drawing my chair nesrer to him, "what
IL the natter"
Tom" he said, "Milly has fitted me-
"Mi1ly Hardwicke!" / exclaimed, re,
Numbering the prettiest girl and most
daring h-orsewoman in the county;
why, it's only six months ago since
o told me you were engaged to her"
Yes" he answered gloomily, but
six months were long enough for her to
grow tired Of me. She tells me she
loves another man"
Money!"
"No. and that's to her credit-she
doesn't care about money" Stephen re-
turned. He's a man named Rtdway.
Lady Morton thinks q lot Of him."
What is the brute like7" I asked.
~Oh, he's good looking in the Italian
waiter style-pale face, regular feat
ures, and curly, black hair, and with
manners of the most Ill bred ease. l
don't know Via Milly sees In him, for
he can't ride for nuts"
"Has Milly any money!" I asked
quietly.
mo; that is to say. nothing to speak
Of" he answered with a rich mans in
difference.
How muchf"
"0h. about i've or six thousand, I be-
neve. You don't suppose-'
II don't suppose anything. What are
you doing tonight7"
We'll. I was going to ask you to dine
with me at the Carlton, II you're not
engaged"
"Al right. old man. TIL be there about.
eight"
When I met Stephen Burchsil at the
Carlton he looked at me with a visit
full eagerness.
Have you thought of a%nything7" he
asked ~anIiously.
"Yes, have thought of many
things" I answered In my most Judi
cial manner; but at present I want
only to ask you one or two questions.
Where Zoe this Ridway live?"
"At IL Highbury Mansions. Kensing-
bn.''
VIVA is his means of livelihood ?"
Il don't quite know, but I believe he's
}ome sort Of a professional singer.
What has that to do with it?" he said
mpatienrly.
rs he still In Norfolk7" I went on,
Ignoring his impatience.
NO, he isn't; at least, I don't think
he is. I believe he left two days ago,
but he's going back to spend Christ
mas with the Mortons. They're hay
ing some kim OF g musical party, and
he's to be the master Of ceremonies, or
the conductor, whatever they call 1t"
you got any letters from Milly
written while she was sngaged?"
Yes. hundreds; but what have they
got to do with itT"
"A good deal" I answered quietly.
did you ever hear OF damages for
breach OF promise Of marrtage7"
he glared at me as II he thought I
had taken leave Of my senses.
Good heavens" he cried; damages
you don't for a moment suppose
II suppose nothing, only that you do
not wish this Mr.. Ridway to marry
Miss Hardwtcke. presume I am right
in that?"
He nodded gloomily.
You mustn't forget, old chap he
Baid. that II he isn't a gentleman. I
am. and won't have any of your mean
legal tricks. I'll go straight, whatever
happens"
They do You very well here" I re-
piled, applying myself to the soup.
On the next day ! went down to the
nrm OF Jacob Isaacson & Sons. solicit
ors, ! n Lincoln Inn Fields. Young
Jacob had been at Oxford with me.
His frm had the reputation OF Knowing
everything about everybody, and in
swenty-four hours ! was in possession
was a musical artist, I ascertained, ex-
sravagant and licentious. There were
many judgment summonses against
him. and he was in danger OF commit
lal.
When I had obtained all the informa-
ton which the Arm could give con-
corning Mr.. Ridway I called a han
som. and, jumping in. bade the driver
take me to No. IL Highbury Mansions.
Remington.
BY the dim, evil-smelling lamp I
found the name Of Mr.. Arthur Ridway.
It was some little time before my sum
mons was answered. and I was about
to knock again when the door was
thrown open, and I caught sight Of Z
kHA A1O pAAlG BOWA ulIIlOE r4Dl0lT
across the passage.
Mr.. Ridway?" I asked.
Yes ! am Mr.. Railway. viii you
please come in 2"
MY host motioned me to a saddle-bag
chair by the fire.
Have you the writ" he said quite
amicably.
I burst out laughing. I. Thomas Fair
YAK. barrister at law, to be mistaken
pr q wTtt-server. It was too prcpos-
terous.
Well, what are your" Mr.. Ridway
asked, rather abashed.
I handed him my card. which he ex-
lmined carefully.
Wei, II you haven't rot a writ
what on earth DO you want with me /.
he exclaimed.
II snail tell you very quickly"
answered. ITO begin with. / am q
friend Of Mr.. Stephen Burchel, whom
think you know?
He nodded uneAsf1v