The midland journal., 1904-06-17
CHAPTER XXI.
[Continued.l

ranged later, is something like this;
We will arrange matters so that the
baron steps into the little parlor of the
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
a sailing-vessel, to be landed perhaps
on a desert island or conveyed to
South America. The chances are teo
to one he will never care to indulge iu
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 nc
circumstances will the hand of the
British authorities be seen in anything
we undertake"
''That can be arranged easily enough.
Things are often done sub rosa. and
nothing 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.
"That was it. joe"
: "Yoa had something definite on your
mind when you spoke in that way:"
81 did for a fact" watching his CON-
panion out Of the corner of his eye
Someone l know, sir?'
"Wcll, l an free to confess it."
.Plainly. then. Mr.. Grimes, you had
reference to Miss Tanner"
''To be equally frank with you, l
did. my boy You frown. I under
stand your feelings to dot. You
have my sympathy. my dear fellow.
if that will do YOU any good"
Mynheer Joe frowns savagely now.
"Give up the idea. sir"
"Why so:'
because put my foot down upon
It."
At this. the other arches his eye
brows and pretends to be taken aback
Not that he is at all convinced that
his plans must be altered, for il
chances that Mr.. Grimes is quite
stubborn man in his way.
Pardon me, Mynheer Joe, but foi
once I must decline to see your au-
thority. This young woman has a
father, and he is one of the party.
have had a talk with him. He gives
his consent to the plan sketched fol-
his benefit"
Confusion! Well, what If he doesi
Because a foolish father agrees to en-
danger his child's happiness. her life
even, is that any reason l should also
consent? Not for Joseph. sir. 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.
''The young lady agrees to it." says
Grimes, in most nonchalant manner.
"What! You have spoken Of it to
Molly" flashes from Joe's lips. This
hetshot really crumbles his last bul.
wark away.
"Yes. You remember we three were
left last night. l was about to retire,
as |. had lame ankle and headache,
w u
message from Tanner. l hobbled to
his room and found Molly there.
1T 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 a 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 tell
me, now and then calling upon his
daughter to refresh his mind. Thus
was soon in possession of the whole
story.
''To be brief in telling you, it seems
that the audacious baron has gotter
ahead of you. Perhaps you noticed g
native hand Miss Tanner letter while
you were admiring the great temple OF
Mahaluxmee?"
"Jove! do recollect it. Heard him
say in good English: Read it when
alone. lady, and saw Molly mechant
cally slip it into her bosom. Then
forgot all about it, you know" says
Joe, somewhat eagerly. his curiosity
excited.
THAT was a lost opportunity, my
dear boy. Had you asked Molly tc
open it then and there, you could moi
have failed to tell her your secret"
"My secret, Mr.. Grimes" 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 In
everything else to- be- a laggard- IL
love. Go in and win. my boy. You've
got clear field, and the game is yours
If you only show nerve enough to put
out your hand aud take 1t"
''Do you think so, my friend?"
'Why should you doubt it?'
81 will tell you, frankly: Ever sincC
Molly learned that l was Joe Minei