The Argosy, April 1912 — page 115: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SHIFTING “Qh, that’s all right. I am the sheriff, you know, and I have to do such things. It’s my business.”’ “T’ll remember your assistance in a more substantial way as soon as my lawyer ar- rives,’ said Mrs. Temple. “TI don’t want any reward,” retorted Border. ‘“ That’s as bad as asking for a ransom.’ “Oh, no,” said the mother, “it isn’t the same at all. A ransom would have been enforced. This will be a gift presented with pleasure.” The sheriff stammered some unintelligible words as Huntly placed his arm about Mil- dred’s waist. “You didn’t think we would see our little girl so soon, did you, mother?” he asked. Mrs. ‘Temple smiled at the sound of the word “ mother.” “Tt won’t be long before I am really ‘mother’ to you, will it, Ned?” she asked. “Tt will be a good thing to have a strong man in the family. I never realized this so much until last night.” “There will be no danger from now on,’ said Huntly. ‘“T hope not,” said Border. ‘“ You ought to be able to take the best of care of the young lady, Mr. Huntly. Anybody who can kill a bear the way you did ought to be able to keep off kidnapers.”’ Mrs. Temple was then told about the bear and the other details of the rescue. Mildred also broke the news to her that she had decided not to marry Huntly until the next day. Just then the sheriff declared that he must be on his way. “Why not stay to dinner, Mr. Border?” asked Mrs. ‘Temple. “Because I am going to hunt for the man in the black mask,” replied the sheriff. “You mean that you are going to run him down?” asked Huntly, in unfeigned surprise. “You can depend on me for that!” de- clared Border. ‘“ You didn’t think I in- tended to let the matter drop here, did your” Before Huntly could reply, Mary an- nounced: “Mr. Eldridge, from New York.” A tall, handsome young man entered the room. Mrs. Temple rushed forward to greet him. SUSPECTS. 101 “Mr. Eldridge,” she exclaimed, holding out both hands in an enthusiastic manner, “this is such a pleasure to see you! ” “It’s quite mutual, I assure you,” re- plied the visitor, with a smile and a warm return of the hand-clasp. Turning to Mildred, he said: ‘And how is the bride?” Miss Temple blushed prettily and looked down on the floor. “I trust I am in time for the wedding,” remarked Eldridge. “Oh, yes, there’s plenty of time,” said Mrs. Temple. “It has been postponed until to-morrow.” “To-morrow?” repeated Eldridge, surprise. “ May I inquire why?” “T will tell you all about that later,” sald the mother. “Our reasons are excel- lent ones. Have you met Mr. Huntly, Mr. Eldridge? This is the Mr. Huntly,” she added, with an affectionate pat on his shoulder. “Mr. Huntly is a very fortunate man,” observed Eldridge, with a smile. ‘I consider myself so,” politely replied Huntly. Each man instinctively knew that he had met a clever adversary, one who was not to be caught by polite phrases—one who knew how to play the game. “One day is not so very long to wait— for such a prize,’ added Eldridge, as his eyes rested in admiration on Mildred. “Well, after what has happened—’’ be- gan Huntly. “I don’t understand,” and Eldridge looked blankly from one to the other. “Surely you have heard, Mr. Eldridge,” said Mrs. Temple. ‘No. Heard what?” asked the lawyer. ‘““T have only just arrived. I came straight here. What is the matter? I trust nothing serious has occurred.”’ “I know you will scarcely credit what I have to tell you,” said Mrs. Temple, “but Mildred was kidnaped last night, and only returned a short time ago. It’s strange that you heard nothing about it, for surely by this time it must be the talk of the town. And we have tried to live so quietly here, too,” she added. “ Kidnaped!” “ Impossible.” ‘‘T assure you it is only too true.” Mrs. Temple then related the details of the affair. “Naturally, the poor child is worn out. in exclaimed the lawyer. CONMUC NOOLK CO