Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-16
The Pauper of Park Lane
WILLIAM E oUEUx
Copyright 1908, by William Queux
vntered at rights reserved
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUx

ing the safety of the doctor, who was
such dear friend of mine.
But why are you so anxious, MAXI"
she asked
Because if-well, if there had not
been foul play, should have heard
from the doctor before this?" he said
seriously.
Foul play" she gasped, starting
forward do you suspect some-some
tragedy, them"
Eyes, Marion,' was his low, earnest
reply. 81 do
But why" she queried. Remember
the doctor was a diplomat and a
statesman. In Servia politics are very
complex, as they are, am told, in ev-
cry young nation. Our own English
history was strange and exciting one
when we were at the present age Of
Servia. The people killed King Alex
ander, it is true; but did not we kill
King Cbarles?"
"Then you think that some political
undercurrent is responsible for this
disappearance" he suggested.
| THAT has more than once crossed
my mind
"Yet would he not have sent word
to me in secret?'
mo. He might fear spies. You your
self have told me how secret agents
swarm in Balkan countries, and that
espionage is as bad there as in Rus
STA
But we are in London-not in Ser
via
There are surely secret agents of
the Servian Opposition party here in
London." she said "You were telling
me something about them once
some facts which the doctor had re.
4 vealed to YOU
eyes, | remember" he remarked
thoughtfully, feeling that in her argu
ment there was much truth. "Yet
had kind of intuition of the occur
renee of some tragedy, Marion" he
added, recolecting how her brothe,
had stolen in secret from that denud
ed house.
"Well, think. dear. that your fears
are quite groundless" she declared
III know how the affair is worrying
you, and how much you respected the
dear old doctor. But, if l were you,
would wait in patience. He will sure
ly send you word some Gay from some
remote corner Of the earth Suppose
or South Africa, for instance? Their
would have been no time for him t
write to you from his hiding place
!, Then he is in hiding-eh?" asket
Max, eager to sieZe any word Of her
; that might afford a clue TO the strang
statement Of Maud.
.He may be-
SIS that your opinion?"
81 suspect as much"
) "Then you do not believe there ha
been tragedy"
81 believe only in what l know" re
d piled the girl with wisdom.
h "And you know there has not bee
< a tragedy?"
e "Ah! no. There you are quite mil
taken. have no knowledge whatst
ever
It "Oniy surmise?"
d "Only surmise."
BASED upon what Maud tod You
e. eh?" he asked at last bringing til
L. conversation to the point.
l. "What Maud tod me had nothin
e whatever to do with my surmise," VIZ
her quick reply. at is a surmise, pul
V, and simple
and WOW have no foundation
II. fact for 90
| ''None, dear"
D. Max was disappointed He sat smo
ing. staring straight before him.
re the tables around beneath the tree
| well .dressed people were chatting al
ut laughing in the dim light, While II
m military band opposite played the ne
d. est waltz. But he heard it not. T
was only thinking of how he cou
= clear ND the mystery of the stran!
disappearance of his dearest frien
He glanced at the soft face of Il
IL, sweet girl at his side, that was so fl
mt of affection and vet so sphnXike.
via She would tell him nothing Aga
nd and again she bad refused to betr;
ale the confidence of her friend.
id For the thousandth time he reflect
mt upon that curious and startling in
X dent which he had seen with his oy