The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-08-27
Choose. STR" I said to Mr.. Smalley,

tyranny and nothing less. Like other
fyrants, carried my poiEt. Mr.. Small
ley chose his alternative without u mo-
edly and gave up the name Of his
client-Mr. Godfrey A%blewhite.
That was enough for mel wanted
TO know no more.
Let me state, then, in the fewest
possible words that Rachel Verinder
had nothing but u life interest in the
property. Her mothers excellent sense
and my long experience had combined
to relieve her Of all responsibility and
10 guard her from all danger of becom-
ing the victim in the future Of some
needy and INSCRIPTIONS a Neither
she nor her husband, if she married,
could raise siXpence, either on the
property in land or OH the property in
money. They would have the houses
in London and in Yorkshire to live in,
and they would have the handsome in
come-and that was all.
The first consideration which now
naturally occurred to me was this:
Would Mr.. Godfrey Ab]ewhite hold to
his engagement. after what his lawyer
had discovered for him?
1t depended entirely on his pecuni-
airy position, of which I knew nothing.
If That position was not IL desperate
one it would lie well worth his while
to marry Miss Nerinder for her income
alone. If, en- the other hand. he stood
in urgent heel of realizing a large sum
by Il given time. then Lady Verinder's
Will would exactly meet the case and
would preserve her daughter from fall
Ing into Il scoundrel's hands.
In the latter event there would be
no need for me to distress Miss Rachel
In the first days of her mourning for
her mother by an immediate revelation
OF the truth. In the former event, If
remained silent, l should be conniv-
ing at Il marriage which would make
her miserable for life.
When l actually saw her my mind
was made up directly. come what
might of it, to tell her the truth.
found my opportunity when I was
out walking with her.
May l speak to you," I asked,
about your marriage engagements"
YES" she said indifferently, IF you
nave nothing more interesting to talk
about
will YOU forgive an Old friend and
servant of your family, Miss Rachel,
II | venture on asking whether your
heart is set on this marriage"
"Mr. Bruff," she said, you have
something to tell me about Godfrey
A4blewhite. Tell it."
l told it. When I had done she still
kept silence. Her head dropped a lit
tie, and she walked by my side, un-
conscious of my presence, unconscious
Of everything about her.
We had walked on for nearly /. mile
l should think before Rachel reused
herself.
II much already to your kind
ness" she said. ".And l feel more
deeply indebted to it now than ever
If you hear any rumors of my mar
rage when you go back to London
contradict them at once Oh my author
ity."
Have you resolved to break your
engagement l asked.
Can You doubt it," she returned
proudly, after what you have told
me!'
On the evening of my return, before
it was possible for me to receive my
promised letter, l was surprised by a
visit from Mr.. Ablewhite the elder,
and was Informed that Mr.. Godfrey
had got his li~smissal-and had accept
ed it-that very day. l have only to
add-in completion of her narrative
that Miss Nerinder found a quiet and
repose which she sadly needed, poor
thing, in my house at Hampstead. She
honored us by making a long stay. My
wife and daughters We're charmed with
her, and, when the executors decided
OH the appointment Of a new guardian,
l feel sincere pride and pleasure in
recording that my guest and my family
parted like old friends, on either side.
About Il week or ten days after Miss
Verinder had left us, one of my clerks
entered the private room at my office,
with a card in his hand, and informed
me that a gentleman was below who
wanted to speak to me.
l looked at the card. There was a
foreign name written on it, which has
escaped my memory. 1t was followed
by a line written in English at the bot
tom of the card, which l remember
perfectly we'll:
Recommended by Mr.. Septimus
Luker."
The moment my mysterious client
was shown in l felt an inner conviction
that l was in the presence of II of
the three Indians-probably of the
chief. He was carefully dressed in
European costume. But his swarthy
complexion, his long 1.-the figure and
his grave and graceful politeness of
manner. We're enough to betray his
lNe sA