Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-07
only waiting for the servant to disap'
pear he advanced to where the music
box was still playing and gently lifted

and know that I am here"
There was a folded paper lying on
! the table where the music box had
rested. Taking it quickly up he re.
placed the box and then turned to the
window to read the communication he
had found. 1t was like her last note.
without signature and without address
and ran thus:
J ut is you that are in danger, not l.
If, therefore, you prize your life and
nv peace leave this spot. You will
take my heart with you, but this must
not cause you to hesitate. When the
! day comes that I can receive you with
safety l will send you word. TIL then
| I will gauge your devotion and your
trust by the attention you pay to my
wishes"
The paper shook in his hands, the
words danced before his eyes. Leave
her while she acknowledged that her
heart was his! Never, He surely
must have read the lines amiss. He
must re-read them, and see if, in his
agitation and surprise, he had not mis-
construed their meaning.
But as he lifted his eye to the top
of the page he was met by a sudden
burst Of fragrance. and wheeling i'm
petuously about encountered close at
his back q man in whose shifting gaze
he Immediately detected the fact that
the words lie had just read had not
been cOnned by himself alone.
! Blinded with ragc--for the spy was
no other than his rivals man, whom
he had seen with the signorina in the
ravinc-hc shot one glance Mt the has
ket of hot house flowers which the fell
low carried and then leaped like fash
| at his throat. But the other slipped
aside In time and an encounter was
prevented.
DO not forget yourself" exclaimed
| the valet "The ladies will be coming
in minute. IF you have anything to
say to me you will find me in the cir.
| Gle of hemlocks. But first let me put
these flowers on the window seat.
where | was told to leave them"
The artist, mute and Inundated,
walked directly out of the house. He
! had not needed to read the card at
tached to the flowers to know that
they were for the sgnorina.
The valet, contrary to his cXpccta-
tions. did not disappoint him. He
came directly to the circlet of trees, to.
ward which the artist had mcchani-
cally hastencd, and halting respect
fully at the entrance took off his hat.
Mr.. Degraw eyed him with contempt.
"You scoundrol" was his greeting,
"by what right did you presume to
read a letter of mine over my back
The other, battling him still by an as.
! pect which was Mt once strange and
vet vaguely familiar, answered him
solely by sly smile.
Exasperated the artist cried:
"Where have | seen you? Your face
Is not new to me. Are you New
York man, or do you simply look like
| some other coward / have known"
A broad laugh finished the smile
that vet distorted the others swarthy
count cnancc
"If have disguised myself rs poorly
rs all this shall not receive very high
commentator from the chief was his
! final response. you saw me at police
Headquarters, sir. ! am an officer In
| Disguise
The artist recC,led OF course: why
had he not thought Of this before.
Had not Mr.. Byrd warned him that
detective would be found in Miss Ro%-
crs' vicinity? His equanmity returned
with a bound He even seconded the
others smile.
81 beg your pardon" said he. II was
told that you were Mr.. Dcgraw's man
and being
Il am Mr.. Degraw's man. How else
could | be useful? l came with him
here from New York. | watch over
him and | watch over her, and pardon
me. have just been watching over
you"
THE last seems unnecessary dryly
remarked the artist. Il am at least
competent to take care of myself
"No." the others look seemed to say.
"You ovcrrate your power and under
rate your danger
what do you mean" inquired tie
artist Miss Rogers speaks OF pciil.
but, then, woman is easily alarmed
"rhat is true" allowed The other,
"but, then, in this ease think she Is
justified. My master. Mr.. Dr@raw,
has some diaholical scheme on hand.
What it is have not yet been able TO
determine. but that it is Of an impor-
tancc which will brock no interference
| have many reasons to know. Aon
stand in his way; if You continue 20 90
this he will endaayor to suppress YOU.
| know this by words have overheard
him mutter. SO If Miss Rogers shows
apprehension you perceive she has rca'
sons for it,"
Docs Miss Rogers know that we are
protected by detective"
"No, sir
"Yet saw you talking with her yes.
terday"
"In the ravine?"
! ayes"
~ am glad it was you, sir, who saw
| us, ana uDL lily HldStei vi oiS VI ''c
young ladies. I had something to say
TO her, and followed her to quiet
spot. 1t was a dangerous thing to do.
/ but we have to take risks sometimes.
wanted her to know what have just
; told you"
; $50 this IS how Miss Rogers is &C.
ouainted with my danger?'
"Ycs. sir"
"And you did not tell her you were
[ detectlveW
"No, sir; did not consider 1t ncccs-