Evening star., 1917-05-27

ard"
eyes and voice full of sympathy.
I'VE have had no news of him for more
than a year" she went on. Mr.. Kane.
report says you know South Africa like
Rick
There was a wealth of yearning in her
tones. such as Kane would have liked to
see evoked on his own account.
Dysart." he rejoined. Where was your
brother when you last heard from him!'
at Kimberley. think
"Ah. l suppose he went by his own
name?" he ventured. and then. in answer
to her glance of surprise implying that
no Dysart would stoop to travel under an
alias. because. you know. lots OF new
chums out there do drop their civilized
Of them In consequence.
Il don't know. ! am sure" she replied.
doubtingly. Rick never said anything
about it."
You may be certain that if I had
ever heard your name out there. Miss
Dysart. recent events would prove an
undoubted reminder. But am morally
sure l never met your brother. Tell me
all you care to- may be able to help
you"
And. thus invited. she briefly outlined
for him the story of Rick's exile.
ITS a common enough story, said
men leave the old country with no bet
ter excuse and no better prospects than
he had. and after few ups and downs
become successful in one Of dozen
ways open to men Of courage and con-
viction. Take my own case" he con-
Her looks Frightened. and his CHEEKY
words seemed to give her renewed con-
fidence.
Gould you show me his picturef" he
continued. IT never forget face. and
II we have ever met 1 can tell you III
an instant"
''The only photograph I have was
taken long before Rick left England.
memory. Mr.. Kane. But Miss Churchill
has one which was done in South
Africa less than two years ago. I should
think"
purpose riding over to Gatewood. and
will let you know the result"
'I-we-shall be so grateful to you:
Mr.. Kane. for any news or encourage
about the cape 1t seems as IL Rick were
not SO far away after all!' And she
flashed him a dazzling smile through
tears which would flow all unbidden at
the memory of the exile.
Kane rose as II to go and Stella rose
too. He had started for Denecroft that
morning of set purpose to propose to
the girl. but the conversation was TAX
ing turn that he had not foreSeen, and
one which might or might not form a
propitious prelude to what he wanted
to say.
However. he was not the man to
shrink from a slight obstacle. and to
leave Denecroft without having spoken
his rede would seem too much like a
repulse or a defeat. So he determined
to make it now or never. But he must
not be too precipitate.
Despite his supreme confidence In his
lucky star, Kane knew perfectly well
that in thus raising his eyes to an alli-
ance with an English girl of rank and
fortune the chances were dead against
him. year ago her world did not
know his name. Had they met two
years ago he shuddered to think of
what their relative positions would
have been. He knew very well that II
was his wealth alone which now ena-
bled him to meet her on even terms.
and he realized clearly that unless he
could impress his personality and his
manhood upon her mere money would
profit him nothing.
Could he make himself indispensable
to this gentle and high-born English
the erstwhile adventurer
and outcast? AT least. he could try, IT
should be the fight of his life, If the
way to Stella's heart lay through her
regard for the absent and. long lost
brother. why. Rossiter Kane could be
counted upon to play the sympathetic
part desired. So he deftly took his cue.
saying in answer to her last words:
ITO say that am highly honored by
your confluence bEL family expresses