The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18

=
confident also that the reason she
had not since heard from her was due
to Merridew's intervention.
II mustn't tell office secrets. Miss
Phrmentcr, but we have their records
at the Yard. PInl,ertons sent 1t to
U.s." and he went on to describe the
unofilcial System OF detective work,
Plinkerton's favored in the United
States.
IT was Ia sufficient confirmation OF
the truth Of yeimn's statene,,ta sa = :.
Olive told Film gf1l TINT had occurred.
But lie was sceptical. "of course
there are ouch gangs. olive: but our
system Ia So much better than that of
the States THAT they don't do much
here. That Girl must have been u bit
hystericnl after her narrow escape and
ns for what she hints about the For
sigh oflce"--he shook his head wifi. a
Confident sm.lc--.1et 'cm try 80
"But the rest of the new., jaciSGs
= "Do you believe it?' EzA :
~ am sure Selma Hammond wpSt1tA-
oere.''
"Then 1t proves one thing. You
mustn't attempt to fight such people
single -handed. and that means'--- BE
Dndod with u glance and ~ smile
II know what you mean. Of course.
"All roads lead to Rome. dear1e'
You'd better marry me-
But she shook her head. No, Jack.
Not yet, II ever. I feel that am go
Ing to find out everything: and when
rye done (. well see about that. MOI
before" !.
What adamant." he laughed.
shall never cease to poster you. ano
AI,- Il n n
may az well do 1t at once. Besides
hav. you thought OF thisr SHppos!ns
eli this girl told you ls true; supposin9
this Merridew Is the confounded scoun
hrel she describes. and surprising again
that you we're to be successful In bring
ing him to book; say. surprising all
tlis-and It's pretty big supposi;ion-
how would 1t disprore that marriage
at Sheffield"
"of course. don't see that yet
agreed Olive, readily. But II Will come
out OF It, Jack am as sure of thai
as am that-that-
THAT I love you?" he put In. taking
yes" she nodded brightly; "as sure
as am of that"
Then II you are so dead sure, what.
the need IT waiting?"
..All roads lead to Rome, as you said
don't they2 But I'm not so sure OF II
MS TO risk your future on It, my dear
an' most impatient Jack.
yes. 1 am impatient" lie replied
speaking with unusual seriousness
"and I'll tell you the reason. / tan'i
bear the Idea OF your being alone here
and taking on this big uphill fight
against these people. Your terrible
experience at Sheffield has thoroughly
frightened me. 1t shows to what fear
full lengths these people are ready tc
go, and. frankly. I am afraid-yes. hor-
ribly afraid-that they Will go or
echeming and plotting against you tin.
III they succeed. can't sleep at nigh,
when the thoughts take hold OF me
] wouldn't care so much IL you wers
In some place OF safety--say, with Mr.
Easement or Mrs. Taunton-where yot
could be properly protected and woult
have plenty OF people about you. sc
that these brutes couldn't get at you
But here alone you seem to be at their
mercy. oh. Olive, do put that pride Of
yours away and let us get married.
"All roads still leading
Don't joke about 1t. Olive. 1t
makes me wretched." he declared, ear
nestly.
IT won't jest. Jack. But what 20,
ask is really impossible. have pu
my hand to the work. and will neve
give In. am my fathers child IN tina
at any rate. II had to choose nov
between the risk OF even such deatl
as that which threatened me on tht
railway and abandoning this work,
would not faiter moment. ! declared
to you on mN0tonor I would rather
die than give in."
She spoke with such intense earnest
ness that he was silcnced. and for {
moment nothing more was said.
But IL you lay so much stress OF
my leaving here. I will see what car
do. Return to Mr.. Easements house Il
Put of the question. because l can de
nothing In such place as Frampton
Especially at time when ! have jus
made such discovery. But II yo,
IKE we will go and see Mrs. Taunton
and II / find that can carry on tht
work while at her house. and she still
wishes to have me. will go to her"
II wish to heaven you would.
know she'll do everything in her powe
to help you. She has said so dozen
of times to me. She did yesterday, in
iced. She was at the Foreign Office
She was curious to see the place, ant
[ showed her around"
Then let us go and see her to day,
said Olive. promptly.
And with that they started, littl,
dreaming Of all that such a propose
must mean.