The Iola register., 1901-12-27


was already under the surface. La
farge, somewhat pale, looked around at
them, while he gently moved the box
back and forth In the water.
II guess it's all right" he said at
last, withdrawing It and taking off the !
wrapper. ITS cigar box. That's
what they commonly use. don't see
any trick about the cover putting a
knife under 1t glngerly. "Therel It's q.
open. Why, upon my soul! What's
this? The confounded thing Is full of
cigarsW
He lifted some OF them, soaked and
sodden. Hale stepped quickly forward.
"The very Old Nick himself is in this
thingw he cried. I'VE haven't got 1t
yet. That is my box of cigars-my
Christmas present to you"
He turned and pounced upon the pile
of packages that lay beside him. This
time there was no mistake. His hand
was upon the one that Wallace had
brought. Kneelng beside it, he waved
Lafarge back.
"ln the midst OF all these absurdi-
ties" he said, 1--WE must not forget the
real danger, Donald. I believe in my
heart-somethlng seems to tell me-
that there is death In this little box.
Let me face II alone. Please, Donald, |
beg of your
II can't" said Lafarge. my soul
won't let me. Grace
lie pointed to the door, but the girl
would not obey. She stood wringing
her hands. Her face was perfectly
white, but its expression was resolute
and in strange contrast with her at
titude of abject terror.
II will not go while you stay here"
she said, looking at Donald. II want
to be with you, whatever happens"
Hale looked at her steadily as he
kneeled beside the package. His face
was haggard and drawn.
Suddenly he seized Donald's wrist
and dragged him down, so that, still
kneeiing, he could whisper in the 9TH
er's ear.
81 love herr he said. 81 always have,
ever since l first saw her. And she
loves you. Now, Is there any doubt
which one OF us can best afford to take
this chance? She won't go without
you. and she mustn't stay. Llstenl
This Internal thing Is ticking again.
The clockwork that was somehow in
terrupted in the office has begun to 20,
and you know what that means. Get
away! Get away, and take her with
you"
Lafarge Strengthened up.
Grace" said he. "Dr. Hale has just
told me something which makes it alb
solutely necessary that you should
leave this room and that l should
stay"
lie stepped up to her and took her
hand.
'If you love me-" he said "go"
81 do, do" she sobbed, clinging to
him. That's why | can't leave you.
want to run-I'm frightened to death
but I'd rather stay with you. Oh, can't
you throw this terrible thing out of the
Window"
"Listcnw said Lafargc.
There was a moment of silence, in
which the sound of children's voices
rose from the court beneath the win
dow. The voices ceased, and tho tick
ing of the Internal mechanism seemed
as loud as a drum.
Suddenly the measured clicking be-
came n whir. Hale crouched down,
placing his body directly over the box
between it and his friends. Lafarge
pushed the almost fainting girl toward
the door, shielding her behind himself.
And then n strange sound rose from
the boX-a queer, cracked melody, IA
miliar and trivial.
"Oh, l don't know; you're not so
warm~ 1t sang in a weird, uncanny
Hale faced about, his dark visage
slngularly pallid, yet for some strange
J reason looking almost handsome. His
eye met Lafarge's in a single glance.
Then he wrenched the wrapper off the
} box, which the next instant he burst
open with a blow of his clinched fist.
Wheels and springs flew out and scat
tered over the floor. In the midst Of
them was a large white card. Hale
picked 1t up and glanced at the writing
which it bore.
Our friend, the district attorney, al
ways was a practical JOKER" said he,
but don't believe he ever succeeded
quite so well before. He wishes you
merry Christmas, Lafarger
'If | had him herep' said the chemist
between his teeth.
The next moment Grace was laugh
ing and crying in his arms, while Hale,
upon one knee, in the attitude of one
who has been almost felled by blow,
looked up at them. He seemed to ex-
perence difficulty in getting to his
feet but once erect he stood sturdily.
ION second thought, Lafarge," said
he, "would you really do him any
harm? His agreeable jest has shown
you what you wished to see When he
and those other humorists that consort
with him We're fixing up this 10 cent
Emusic box and its clockwork attach
ments, they had no Idea what strange
measures we should tread to the tune
of 1t. l fancy that this is your best
4 aNv -.