Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-12-09

very well. That is where I stood,
with the only means to accomplishing
the end the condition that be married
before midnight"
Then, sir" She hesitated. Her
eyes were fastened on & spot IN the
rug. he waited, feeling his heart beat
ing, and wondering why. moment,
and she added: ut shall be done"
Madam"
Don't speak to me, please" she said,
lifting her hand without raising her
eyes. II am only q woman, and there
are reasons why this touches me deep |
er than wish. know of one who will |
serve your purpose perfectly. You con |
trust her. She viii neither fail nor de- |
ceive you; but know that there is n
condition she viii require. Give me
your promise that you will accept it,
and 1 will send her to you"
what is it7" Stanton asked.
Il cannot rightly put it for her. She
will have to tell you for herself after
she has performed her part"
but suppose it were something
that"
81 will be responsible that you can
easily perform Il, without embarrass-
ment, and that it shall I'm no way touch
your pride, your name, your home, or
| your fortune"
THAT is more than L ask, madam
| However, / agree to accept the condi-
| ton. and will see to it, also, that my
| obligations are properly met"
Never mind; just write down what
| you will need to know Her name is
Esther Thorndike. She was never mar
i ried. She was born of honest American
| parents in Albecco, Col, December 1,
1867. Her good name is without blem-
ish. She will meet you at this main en-
trance to this building at nine O'Clock
tonight You can trust her"
How much later Stanton never knew,
he started like one waking from q
dream.
He knew that she was gone. lie had
seen her go. She left the room by tht
private door opening on the corridor;
yet he read again the paper lying on his
desk to convince himself that it waS mo-
all a dream.
: Esther Thorndike," he repeated
.'Squint-eyed, one-legged, bunch bacKe<
something of the sort, suppose; bu
I what does. it matter? It's rather gooG
1
The most remarkable woman j evs
met. She must have come for this rs
Their Thorndike at the start. IL hadn'
been fool l should have known tina
she never came on such an eErand 70
4 herself"
lie he looked at his watch with an e1
clamation of surprise, caught up hi
" hat and coat and hurried toward til
door, bethought him of word to b
ofice-boy, turned quickly and opene
at the other door, then started back wit
a a veritable gasp, and stood shaking.
The boy had tilted his chair again'
the door, the better to protect the e.
'e, trance to his masters sanctum viii
OF waiting for the sound of the bell. IT
sudden opening of the door sent hi
headlong into the private Office.
er Stanton did not notice it, but
speechless, nerveless considerable
Sc stood looking across the room, whel
to against the wall, in the order of the
be coming, the boy had arranged a doz
re- applicants.
They were young and old, white a
as there was one black one among the
nd At the head of the line stood a
dizened duchess from back Of Gre
ge- street. She was SCARED and bral
the veteran. At the other end stood a you
ont girl, her eyes on the floor and
cheeks flushed with shame as
of crouched away from the rest.
In Good morn'in', Mr. Malcolm" s
the duchess, stepping forward You
les, got a good show TO pick from, ;
you'd best be about it, for her tn
ort- to be merred the day orter be get
her togs on P.D.Q."
Ladies'" Stanton gasped, and I
e a he stopped 20 shudder.
He would have begun in almost
other way, but he remembered
ting they were all there upon his inv
n to ton; there as his guests; there to
will | suit with him about becoming his Y
turn He was too recently under the ph,
ophv of his first caller not to apprec
far the situation.
Ladies" he said again, ''you mus
vom- euse me. / have already made m.
ye of lection And IN the simple instin
ange ! self-preservation he pushed the do
and locked it, for the duchess,
her" clinched fists and purple face, wa
wing preaching him. Having locked
18th a door, be turned and fed.
d liv- Going down in the elevator, he
?'' heard a whispered conversation
des- tween the operator and neigh
as he slice boy.
mt is DI nm nm, "a a. -
with On snow ~ ,s Go
er for Sonie 0h - - %,
= - 'S'pose he jay, ter hook hi
e. name to a gag like dat? He's h
de same, an don'tcher furgit-
80 but de gang o doves I've took al
A. Stanton left the elevator almos
ro,ns run, and pushed into the crowd, b
boy seemed still following him. I
sure his eyes were fixed on hir
10 al knew his feet were close behin'