Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-30

CORE
He was surprised. Who could this
girl be who dined with Prime Mini
sters, and who was, apparently, bel>---
the scenes of Balkan politics?
"And you fear lest the same fate
should befall Maud Why?" he asked.
Because the opposition has a motive
"a strong motive
For the secret assassination of the
daughter of the man who has made
Servia what she isl" he exclaimed.
Eyes Maud Is in peril
And for that reason, l suppose, is
living incognito?"
Possibly she answered, not with
out hesitation. There is, l believe, a
second reason"
What is that?"
II scarcely like to tell you, Mr..
Rolfe. We are strangers, you and L.
| But do tell me. am very anxious
to know. If she is your friend, she
has, no doubt, told you Of our love-
well, she wishes to avoid you"
Avoid me-why?"
Because acquaintance with you in
crease her peril"
How absurd" he cried How can
her love for me affect her fathers
political opponents in Servia?"
( II am ignorant Of the reasons. l
only know the broad facts
But the Doctor had retired from
active political life long ago! He told
me one day how tired he was of the
eternal chickering's of the Skuptschlna."
"Of course he had obstensibly re-
tired, but he secretly directed the
policy of the present Government. In
all serious matters King Peter still
consults him.
"And that Is why you have brought
me into the privacy of these gardens,
Miss Lorena-to tell me this!" he
| laughed, bending to her and drawing
semi-circle in the gravel with the point
of his stick.
NO" she replied sharply, with just
a little frown Of displeasure. you do
not understand me, Mr.. Rolfe. Have
l not said, few moment ago, that
wanted to be your fr1end?"
You are most delightful little
friend" was his courteous reply.
"Ah! I see. You treat me as a
child was her rather impatient re-
ply. You are not serious"
Il am most serious" he declared,
with solemn face. Indeed, I was
never more serious in my life than
am at this moment"
She burst out laughing-a peal of
light, merry irresponsible, girlish
| laughter.
And before l met you" she said. 81
thought you most terribly austere
person."
$50 | am-at times. I have to be,
Miss Lorena I'm secretary to a very
serious old gentleman, remember"
Eyes. And that was the very reason
why l threw the convenances to the
winds-if there are any in the Anglo
French circle in Paris-and spoke to
you-a perfect stranger"
You spoke because l was Mr.. Stat
hams secretary" he asked, some
what puzzled
Eyes. wanted to speak with you
privately"
well, nobody can overhear US
here" he said glancing around, and
noticing only fat bonnie wheeling a
puny child in a gaudily-trapped per
ambulator.
II wanted to speak to you regarding
Mr.. Statham," she said, after long
pause. 81 ascertained you were coming
you
"Why?" he asked, much surprised.
The refusal of her name, her determi-
nation to conceal her identity, her
friendship for Maud, and her intimate
acquaintance with things Servian, all
combined to puzzle him to the verge
of distraction. Who was she? What
was she?
The mystery of the Doctor and his
daughter was an increasing one. His
pretended ignorance of certain facts
had been unmasked by her in a manner
which showed that she was aware OF
the actual truth. Was she really a
secret messenger from the girl he
loved so devotedly-the girl with
whom he had last walked and talked
with in the quietness of the London
shutdown in Nevern Square?
He glanced again at her pretty but
. mysterious face. She was lady-re
fined, we'll educated, with tiny white
hands and well-shod feet. There was
nothing of the artificial chic of the
Parisienne about her, but quiet dig
!. nifty which seemed almost incongruous
in one SO young. Indeed, he wonder
ed that she was allowed about in the
streets of Paris alone, without chap
erone.
: Her piquante manner, and her uttel
disregard of all convention atty
amused him. True, she was older thar
!, Maud but most possibly her bosom
: friend. If SO, Maud was probably il
!, hiding in Paris, and this pretty CIR
= had been sent to him as Cupid's mes
senger.
!. 81 wanted to see you On matte
+ which closely concerns Mr.. Statham.
+ Anything that concerns Mr.. Stat
\ ham concernes myself, Miss Lorena,
+ he said. 81 am his confidential secre
J. tary."
e 81 have ascertained that, otherwis
l would not have dared to speak t
: you. l want to warn YOU"
"Of what?"
= 'Of a deeply laid conspiracy t
: wreck Mr.. Statham's life she sale
,, There have arisen recently two me
{ who are now determined to lay bar
= the secret Of the millionaire's past, i
| ~,