Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-10-16

hind them. Miss Carter sat I'D straight
who is itT' she cried sharply. "Wh,
Is therer'
Polly. Polly" said chuckling. wa
vering voice. pretty, pretty Polly"
Then deeper voice doomed beyond
the bushes.
lis that you. Miss Carter? I an
looking for Miss Pierce's parrot"
II can't even propose to you without
his butting In" Denton complained the
next night when he had Miss Carter ts
himself nor a moment In q corner OF
the dark porch. Say yea before he
hnds us here. princess, AND
How do you know Miss Carriers
voice trembled through the darkness.
Il do not know" he said softly. 81
can only hope
As he reached out his hand to take
hers his fingers touched something
warm and velvety.
"Purr-urr-up." came a confidins
feline murmur just as Nesselrode's
numbering figure doomed near the steps
did Miss Pierce's pussy cat come
over here. Denton? I've been sent to
look her up"
That night burglar entered Miss
Carriers house. Denton was the Hrst
to give the alarm, and he showed the
family silver piled up In the middle OF
the table In the dining room, with the
corners Of the cloth twisted over 1t.
Il saw light" he Said, "and 1 came
and suppose he was scared away.
l had not been to bed
Miss Carter. very beautiful In a rosy
dressing gown, examined the silver. 81
think everything Is here" she said.
You are sure that nothing Is gone
from your roomr" Denton asked. HE
might have gone there first"
Miss Carter few upstairs, with the
six old ladies at her heels. When she
came down she was as white as chalk.
My pearl necklace is gone" she said.
Denton turned to Nesselrode. "Per.
haps IL you took your automobile and
followed the man you might get the
pearls
But Nesselrode protested.
There ARE no butts In the service Of
lady," Denton reminded him gravely.
And after Nesselrode had whizzed
away, and the six old ladies had re-
tired to their rooms to talk It over,
Denton detained Miss Carter.
And when he had pulled down the
shades OF every window. and when he
had closed the door, he put his hand
In his pocket and pulled out the pearl
necklace
"All's fair" he said. 'in love-
But she gasped.
There wns no burglar" Denton de-
clared. 81 found the pearls on the
porch after you went In. and that gave
me the idea, and / unused up the
things on the table. 1t was the only
way that could get to see you again
tonight. and / couldn't stand another
day of Nesselrode's monopolizing''-
Slowly smile curved Miss Carriers
lips.
ANY one would know you were a
writer of stories." she said, there were
SO many easier ways"
II couldn't think. or any," Denton
said. 80 tried this"
He went toward her. "Nesselrode
VIII be back presentely. We must be
quick oh. princess, Is 1t 'yesr"
Her cheeks We're as rosy as her
pretty gown.
"Of course when the prince storms
the castle the princess surrenders."
AS he kissed her they heard the
"chug-chug" OF the returning automo-
bile.
Nesselrode came In. putting. "Not a
sign he began and stopped. The
two people by the table were smiling
radiantly.
Il am SO sorry." Miss Carter said
as she held out her hand, In which
glfmmered little heap of milk white
beads. II am so sorry that you had
your drive for nothing. Mr. Nesselrode.
but'-she hesitated and then went on
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Mr.. Denton found
the pearlsv'