Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-01-20
Somewhat at
Fault
00
BY T. B. ANDERSON

AAGltbl NuAhG Nao NAO ANAAobfN
standby OF old Mark Seaton. but Hal
Preble was his fayorIte. They were
cousins, close and affectlonate as own
brothers, but were direct opposltes.
warne was staid. dependable, Of rath-
er serious turn Of mind. Hal was
naturally rover loved changes.
81 want to have a talk with you,
Hector" said Mr.. Seaton one day. IL
have heard from Hal. He is at Cres-
son and / fear X In love again."
Hector smiled quantity. Hal was In
love, and always with a new object
Of choice, half dozen times a year.
~ have always feared that some
schemlng adventures would get hold
of HAL" continued Mr.. Seaton. IL
have been making some Inquiries and
learn that for a month past he has
been regularly calling upon a Miss
Deverll, who lives a few miles from
Cresson."
"And she is the siren you dreadi"
81 don't know Il for q fact" replied
the uncle, but | want to know and
intend to- That is why am going to
ask you to sort of look Hal up at
Cresson, and particularly TO go to
R0xbury and find out what kind OF n
girl this new fame Of his is"
II don't like the task" said Hector
quickly. playing the spy is not In
my line"
mo, but you think enough Of Hal
to Join me in striving to protect him,
don't your" and Hector bowed silently
and two days later reached Cresson.
lie kept himself completely out OF
the way Of Hal, but learned that his
cousin had a suite of rooms at the
best hotel, was n gentleman OF leisure
complete, usually spent his week-ends
ut Roxbury and to that picturesque
little town Hector transferred his
abode. Judging from the information
Hector received Miss Deveril was en-
tlrely worthy Of the choice Of any
man.
She was the daughter Of one Of the
most reputable and fayorably known
residents Of Rox0ury, Judge Joshua
Dcveril. The latter was quite promi-
nent in the public eye. Roxbury had
It's bad quarter In which a full com
pllment Of the dlssolute and criminal
lived. He had been stern and exact
ing In striving to wipe out this black
spot I'm the community by severe court
sentences, and this had brought 10
him the enmity and hatred Of the vi
cous element. He was possessed OF
considerable wealth and his daughter
was a popular social favorite.
From q distance his first Saturday
evening in Roxbury Hector saw the
pair together. Never In his life had
he gazed upon young lady who In
face and bearing so attracted him.
The next day the pair were Joined by
another young lady, a dark, flashing
beauty, with whom Hal seemed to
[ divide his attentions. Hector learned
that this was Miss Marcia Lowell
from the city and close girl friend
OF Miss Deverll.
Upon Monday morning Hal took
the train for Cresson ard Hector had
| clear field for investigation. Sew
| eral times he passed Miss Deveril upon
| the street and returned to his hotel ia
dream about this paragon Of grace and
beauty, secretly envylng his cousin
! his great fortune.
BY the middle of that week Hector
had made up his mind that a report
was due his anxious uncle. He wrote
letter stating that the latter need
| have no apprehension as to the ellgi'
( bllty of Miss Deveril as a niece-in'
| law.
That evening Hector decided he
would not prolong his stay. He, how
| ever, coveted one last glimpse OF Lois
Deverll. It was after dark when he
strolled by the Deverll mansion. He
sklrted the lawn and posted himself
behind bush. Peerlng past 1t hC
could see the object Of his interest
seated at the piano. Then Hector
Warne saw something else that
| thrilled him into vivid action. A mar
stealthily approached the side Of the
house. He carried a round, sinister
looking object from which tralled
fuse. He lit this, placed II under 9
veranda and started to leave the spot
In a flash Hector comprehended that
he must be some of the criminal enc
mics of Judge Deverll. He rushed for
ward, seized the squirting end Of Tho
fuse and jerked It loose. There was
flare, the sharp snap Of percussion
/ the man dealt him a blow with
cudgel and Hector went down like {
/ shot.
Hector opened his eyes to find him
self lying on a comfortable couch II
the Deverll home. Two men wer'
standing near, one of them palpably I
physician, for he was saying: "A
painful burn on the arm and thu
shock, but that will soon pass by
The other advanced to the couch. HI
was Hal Preble.
WELT wellw he rallied. Beer
playing the hero7 The good people
I I L.. T.