Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-01-26

| Ill
and then, again, no seems to net rs
though in an unnatural manner. How
ever. I suppose 1t is, II anybody Mt all.
some one | mot in Paris in the days OF
long ago. Any way, there Is no reason
why we should watch him; your interest
in him is only slight and have mono
whatever. So let us move on" With
these words they moved away.
An hour later they were back in the
same spot, and rs they sat talking the
gentleman whom they had watched
earlier In tho evening came toward
them and stood beside their chairs al
most before they had noticed him.
Good evening, Miss NARROW. Where
have you been hiding yourself OF late?
Your presence has not graccd the ball
room during the entire evening"
mo, I have been TOO weary to dance.
Tho hard society work Of the past few
wcclss has almost Frustrated me. But
pardon me-Mr. limerick, allow mo to
introduce Mr. Lowell"
The two gentlemen exchanged gree t.
ings, and tho elder one remarked: Our
charming young friend Miss NARROW is
in great demand among tho gentlemen
of our circle here. viii you not both
Join us In the ball-room?"
II fear you have mistaken the lady's
NAME" said Percy, looking his listener
straight in the face; "her name IL not
NARROW, but Dclaro."
Tho stranger seemed confused, appar.
entity on account OF his blunder, but he
quickly recovered his polite composure
and profuscly apologiscd to Armida.
II hope you will allow that II was
quite natural mistake" he said. 81
trust am pardoncd; the fact Is that q
pistol shot was fired near to my left ear
when was quite young which dcafcncd
me, and as ] stood to tho right Of tho
lady who introduced me to Miss Delaro,
tho mistake is accounted for. Am /
pardoncd?' he asked. turning to Ar.
mida.
Certainly" was tho reply.
The tall stranger did not remain long
in their company after that A few or
binary civilities were passed and he
loft them, ostensibly to return to the
ballroom. but Armida afterwards re-
marked TO Percy that he lad not done
so.
Il share ycar dislike for the affable
gentleman" said Percy, rs he and Ar
mida returned TO their rooms.
Late that night whom nearly every
lody had gone to bed Percy went to Mr..
/ l,ilcox's room to have few words with
that worthy individual.
Wont YOU smoke a cigar, Percy?"
the old man asked.
! Percy accepted one. and when he had
| lit Il he threw himself back in his chair
and opened Up quietly by saying:
MIR Wilcox"
well, my boy" for he still called
Percy boy, II am all attention;
what's in The wind, another clew?"
mo. not this time. We are called
upon to protect and not to prosecute. :"
said Percy
"Who claims our protcction? asked
his friend and counsellor.
"Armida Dolaro," was the reply.
"Who has" designs on that sweet
creature?' asked the millionaire. Then
Percy told all he had seen and heard
that night.
This mysterious man Is undoubtcd-
~ bestowmg his attentions on Armiia
for purpose OF his own, and rs 1t only
dislrcsses her We must stopit."
"You seem very much afraid that
Armida is falling into danger in that
mans presence, but don't you think that
she Is able to care for hersclf?"
THAT may be-" said Percy. "but II |
mistake not, that man Ia q designing
old villain, and tho less no sees Of
Armidh the better. ! do not like his
looks and he reminds mo too much Of
tho man we are looking for.
At these words Mr.. Wilcox sat bolt
upright in his chair. Io was full Of in
terest now.
"How do you mean? Does this fellow
resemble him in features?' he asked.
''As | never had much opportunity
nor was ever sufficiently interested in
Velasquoz' features to examine them
can not positively say. but II this man
looks like him he certainly does not
walk like him, for Velasqucz stopped q
little end this man is upright almost to
absurdity. No, what ] mean is that
his character and method OF action is
not such us should imagine Velasaucz'
to he. Ioaly wish he had been velas-
quez."
Guess I'll havo to take good look
at that gent in the morning and see
what no looks like. II won't do to havo
any suspicious characters buzzing
around Armida, even II they arc ship
owners"
"Armida says no has invited her and
her mother to take q few days sail in
his yacht"
Ibid she accept?"
mo, she gave q quiet but very posi-
tive denial. lie also told her some story
about buryinga wife years ago In Italy,
and altogether has been quite commu-
NEGATIVE with her." said Percy. between
the puffs at his cigar
"Well. we can make II impossible for
him to get another chance OF annoying
her during the remainder Of our stay
here, and when we get back to New
York 1t Is hardly possible that he will
meet u.s."
zone good thing abou, It is that our
address is not yot settled upon, SO we
can not give 1t to him." was Percy's last
remark. Then the subject changed q
little. although Armida was still the
ono discussed
Mr. Wilcox leaned on the table. and
with pleasant smile on his face be
looked across ut the man seated oppo-
site 10 him
percy" be said, you are good
deal older than Armida, but tell me
now. like man. don't you love her9"
The question was 50 sudden that Per
/ 80 a,rna nnn-nluraod Ha bluahod