The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-05-21
CHAPTER XXI.
IContinued.l


baron STEPS into the little parlor Of the
spider. He sees luscious morsel there
and is tempted to devour it. Just then
his feet are entangled in the web and
he finds himself powerless. After
that he leaves the country on board
q sailing-vessel, to be landed perhaps
on desert island or conveyed to
South America. The chances are ten
TO one he will never care to indulge in
any more of these games in case he
lives to reach Russia again"
"Your idea is good one. OF course,
It must be understood that under no
circumstances will the hand of tn"
British authorities be seen in anything
we undertake"
That can be arranged easily enough.
Things are often done sub rosa, and
uethlng left to tell the tale"
"Ah! A thought strikes me; let Us
have It out while find it fresh on my
mind. You spoke Of an attractive
bait"
Mr.. Grimes bites his lips.
tThat was it, joe"
"You had something definite on your
mind when you spoke in that way:'
'I did for fact" watching his COM
panion out of the corner Of his eye.
Someone ! know, sir:"
ssNTell, I an free to confess it."
s s'Plainly, then. Mr.. Grimes, you had
reference to Miss Tanner"
'tTo be equally frank with you. I
aid. my boy. You frown. I under
stand your feelings to dot. You
have my sympathy. my dear fellow.
tf that will do you any good"
Mynheer Joe frowns savasely now.
I "Give up the idea, sir"
"Why so|'
because I put my foot down upon
g."
At this the other arches his eye
erows and pretends to be taken aback.
Not that he is at all convinced that
his plans must be. altered, for it
chances that Mr. Grimes is quite a
stubborn man in his way.
Pardon me, Mynheer Joe, but for
ence must decline to see your au-
thority. This young woman has
father, and he is one Of the party. I
( have had a talk with him. He gives
his consent to the plan sketched for
his benefit"
Confusion! Well, what If he does?
Because q foolish father agrees to en-
danger his child's happiness, her life
even, Is that any reason / should also
consent? Not for Joseph, sir. I come
down fiat-footed against the idea
And the traveller looks as though he
might annihilate the person who could
thus propose such thing to him.
'sThe young lady agrees to it." says
Grimes, In q most nonchalant manner.
'SWhat! You have spoken OF it 10
Molly?' flashes from Joe's lips. This
hot. shot really crumbles his last bu!-
wark away.
EYES. You remember we three were
left last night was about to retire.
as had O lame ankle and headache,
when native servant came with
message from Tanner. / hobbled to
his room and found Molly there.
-It struck me at once that there
was something in the wind. for while
the young lady's face looked serious.
that of the Illinois legislator was black
.as thunder-cloud. Before one word
had been spoken. was able to under
stand that trouble was in the air, and
could give shrewd guess as to who
was to blame In his own peculiar.
blunt way. the senator began to tel!
me, now and then calling upon bis
daughter to refresh his mind. Thus l
was soon in possession Of the whole
story.
|To be brief in telling you. 1t seems
that the audacious baron has gotten
ahead of you. Perhaps you noticed /"
native hand Miss Tanner a letter while
you we're admiring the great temple Of
.Mahaluxmee?'
-Jove! do recollect it! Heard hin:
say in good English: Read 1t when
alone, lady, and saw Molly mechaDi-
cally slip it into her bosom. Then /
forget all about it, you know says
Joe, somewhat eagerly. his curiosity
excited.
-sThat was a lost opportunity. my
dear boy. Had you asked Molly to
open it then and there, you could not
have failed to tell her your secret
MY secret, Mr.. Grimcs:' turning
pale.
Certainly. You love the girl and
dare not tell her. Good heavens. man:
The fact is patent to us all. Faint
heart never won fair lady I'm as
founded! You, as bold as a lion 10
everything else. to be laggard iE
love. Go Id and win. my boy. You've
got clear field, and the game is yours
II you only show nerve enough to put
out your hand and take it."