Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-16
BREEME HOUSE
By KATHERINE NEWLIN BURT
BY KATHERINE NEWLIN BURT

MI. fremont Is. waiting downstairs to
help me With, my Indian stuff. Just
ring Tor Thomas, will you, Alec?
Thank you. Don't blame your moth
er for tattliag, viii you? Don't grudge
me my d~iversions."
Indeed. sir, ! shan't."
Alec turned in the doorway to see
his father twtnkling, with q finger
up.
Don't let your Yankee cousin cut
you out, that's ALL
Alec half started. WhateveS was
selfish. and primitive IN his mature re-
sented this notion of a rival in the
field. Hs-might not love Claire. but
he had thought Of making her his
wife, and he would brook no other
dog in the manger.
Alec took the letters to his own
room downstairs to answer them.
the money-lender, and read It, Yes
1t vas an appeal to thesieari, an al
tempt at exposure of Alec coupled
with a threat Of publicity II the loan
were not promptly repaid. The bully
ing tone of it made Alec cold with
mingled anger and fear. In exasper-
alton he tore It to bits and threw it
into the W~aste-paper basket. But its
closing words persistently shouted
S1IFbhoClSSS Ill Ills sShIa. luG law Wall
be duly invoked unless we receive
complete satisfaction and that inn
Mediately: We should be glad to be
spared the painful necessity Of giving
his matter publicity. and rely upon
your lordship to takr prompt action
The effect OF this threat of immi-
nent disclosure and the interview
with his father was cumulative. Sore
ness OF heart. a sensation of being
trapped, a mighty desire to please
fear of losing by hesitation a prize
within his grasp, and the pressing an
xiety of his -u~nconfessed debts began
50 to torment the poor fellow that
work became ar tmp0ssibility. He sat
with his elbows on the desk, one long
hand propping his face, the other
pricking meaningless pen-patterns on
he b~lotting-pad.
Was there no one to whom he could
closing in on him, threatening him
with fiaseo in every direction. How
about consulting Sir Godfrey Brooke?
He was level-headed and understand
Ing. But Alec stood in awe Of him;
Sir Godfrey, he felt, would call for
q very full and complete accounting.
other subjects than that OF fi.r-
apSs, before he would raise a hand
70 eelease, him from the immediate
predominant of this Upterberg.
Or. Rufus Tremont7 ~Alec had sat
up with him over their pipes last
nikht, and somehow the keen-mind-
ed American had led him on to talk
OF, himself and. his affairs, SO that
his listener had obtained q pretty
clear view of ~ths>lpsnuFy of the heir
Of Breeme: Alec was Impressed by
Trsm0nts quick mentality and re-
sourcefulness. and evidently the man
had money. With characteristic hope
fulness Alec rehearsed imaginery COM
in" leading to q successful outcome.
ADD yet he WIS asguest; had not Been
with them for twenty-four hours! At
least 1t couldn't be done just yet.
Alec started to design pen-patterns
on another corner Of the biotter.
Then Humphrey, outside Ia the
passage, shouted, 81 say. Miss Aline,
Yet . fellow gog and there came q
little laugh from Aiipe, and q bang
Ing Of naughty heels upon the pan
els-of the door.
Alec. starting up, lung Ii open.
The rebel tumbied in upon him in a
strnggling heap, Aitne barely recov.
erfng herself from q Ike disaster,
and Alec caught up his step-brother
And gave him q smart Gun.
ssHlSld your noise young 'un,"" aids
he sternIy. and DO ass you're bid.
What's vaa uD2 Cant 2 manage him,
Humphreys half-laushing scream
had dissolved = into sileart-broken
tears. He+ turned to:-Altne. burying
his hot cheeks In her skirt. Her.
cheeks, too we're hot.
sAiscs bow could your II was hat
That will teach him to keep his
fun in the nursery. whers II belongs.
HIS Eettifig a BIZ beyond yon. AiiBs,.
Nothing Of the sort I can man
age him without blows, didn't
know you were here"
I'm usually here at this time III
the morning
Come. Humphrey. said Alina.
= Alec you're worry you disturbed
hin. and we'll 50 batk, shall we9r
Humphrey Fuefulfy obeyed. look
inE up Tor Ms apology With such
round, grjeved leyeG that Alec. ell on
. re : fsit scmsthins IKE
You'll set over Ii. ssid hs srufrly.
rnbkings Hpmphrexe cGris. Then
wletfu1}ys What aFe you doing.
Aims Nay / coSne to-?
= he1tteted. tia flush oonine and
going IN her thin yonng facs.