Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-16

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help me with my indian stuff. Just
ring for Thomas, will you, Alec?
Thank you. Don't blame your moth
er for tattling. will you? Don't grudge
me my diversions"
Indeed, sir, I shan't." =
Alec turned in the doorway to see
his father twinkling, with a finger
Don't let your Yankee cousin cut
you out, that's all"
Alec half started. Whatever was
selfish and primitive in his nature re-
scented this notion of a rival in the
field. He might not low Claire, but
he had thought Of making her his
wife, and he would brook no other
dog in the Manager.
Alec took, the letters to his own
room downstairs to answs them.
Rapidly he tore open the letter from
the money-lender, and read it. Yes
J lit was an appeal &c the earl, In at
i 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 waste-paper basket. But its
closing words persistently shouted
themselves in his ears. THE law will
be duly invoked unless we receive
complete satisfaction and that I'm
spared the painful necessity Of giving
! this matter publicity, and rely upon
F; your lordship to take prompt action
accordingly"
The eject 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
the people who an1iously loved him.
fear of losing by hesitation a prize
within his grasp, n the pressing an
xiety OF his unconfessed debts began
so to torment the poor fellow that
work became In impossibility.2 He sat
with his elbows on the desk, long
hand propping his face, the other
pnicking meaningless p~en-patterns or
the plotting pad. :
/. Was there no one to whom he could
turn for advice or help? Things were
with fiasco in every direction. How
about consulting Sir Geofirey Brooke?
He was level-headedkand understand
ing. But Alec stood in awe of him;
| Sir Geofrey, he felt, would call for
a very full and complete accounting,
on other subjects than that OF fin
Ance, before he would raise hand
to release him from the immediate
predicament OF this Unterberg.
Or Rufus fremont? Alec hadsa
up with him y e their pipes last
ed American had led him on to talk
of himself and his affairs, so that
his listener had obtained a pretty
clear view .of the perjury Of the heir
sof Breeme. Alec was impressed by
Tremont'si quick mentality and re-
sourcefulness, and evidently the man
had money. With characteristic hope
fulness Alec rehearsed imagtnery con-
~versations with his American "cous-
In, leading to q successful outcome,
And yet,SShe was a guest; had not been
with them for twenty-four hours! Al
least 1t couldn't jbe done just yet ~. /.
Alec started to design pen-patterns
on another corner OF the blotter.
Then Humphrey, outside III the
! passage, shouted, IT say Miss Aline,
let q fellow go!" and there came Z
little laugh from Aline, and q bang
Ing of naughty heels upon the apan-
, els OF the door.
Alec. starting up. flung it open
The rebel turlbled I'm upon him in a
, struggling heap Aline barely recoy-
ering herselfs from ike disaster.
and Alec caught up HIS step -brother
and gave him IA smart cuff.
I Hold your noise, young sun,'s said
he sternlN and do. as you're bid.
What:sup? Cant you manage him,
Humphreys half-laughing scream
had dtssolveda into II nheartsbroken
tears He turned to Aline.s buryine
his hot Cheeks In her skirt. Her
cheeks, too, were hot. 49,
ALEC! how could you7 II was ha.i
fun.
THAT will teach him to keep hi
fun In the ntraery, where 1t belongs.
He's getting = bit beyand you, Alines.'
ssNothtng. Of the SOFT. I ! man
age him without blows. I didn,t
know you yer here.
1T usually here Ct this time n
Come, Humphrey" raid Aline.
s~Tslls Alec you.fe sorry you DISTURBED
him, and we'll 20 back, shall wefsss.as
Humphrey ruefully 0beyed, look
Ing np for his apology With such
round, grteved eyes that Alec; III on
edgetas he was. felt something iike
You'll set over IL, Mid he gruf15y.
rubbing Humphrey,s cufis. Than
[wtstfuliy. What are you doing,
Aifne May come toO7v
She hesttated, the flush coniiuE and
EoinE 81 her thin young facs.
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