The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-23
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

nIiIgnty useful. I don't Iike-that fellows
LOOKS at all. and / am determined not
20 rose tEat photograph, even if 1 have
roe COiIIiIiII murder in order to retain
possession of IL.
lie IT wouldn't be murder. 1t would be
y GGSt'ilaDle homicide" the other assured
mn W., as they entered the store.
W lIour purchased a revolver and some
81 tIluseS and loading the weapon
turned 10 his friend with a grim smile
Lnat Fellow had better not try any
u ms tLlckS on me now" he remarked.
+,l DuI wren they emerged from the store
Iii en- itailan was nowhere in sight
., 81 maps ne saw you buying that gun
IILOuSu me store window. and was
9Sdl[ed. Clayton suggested. However,
nm l don't suppose a fellow with a
lace IKE that is in deadly fear OF a
IsNoINeT- He's probably got one Of his
ONh. LOOK out for yourself on your
way nome tonight. old chap
- keep a sharp lookout" replied
nour, and the two friends parted.
clayton promising 10 visit Leslie AT his
nome that evening
When Wilbur returned to the office a
surprise awaited him.
Inc lock of his desk had been forced
curing ms absence. The contents Of the
desk had been scattered as though
somebody had been conducting a hasty
search.
BewiIdered. he turned to Danny. the
eIraEd boy, who had been out all morn
at lunch.
How long have you been back. Dan
N.Y., he inquired
About half an hour" replied the boy.
Have you been mOnkeying with my
DESK while I was away" demanded
Wilbur, sternly.
Ne? No. sir. OF course. 1 amt, -
was the indignant reply
Did YOU see anybody at my deSkT'
NORDdV PXcPDf the boss -
(Which boss?'' demanded Wilbur.
eagerly.
mir. Arthur, He was sitting there
What was he doing here. Danny?
Did yod notice."
NO. I didn't get no chance to no
tice. As soon as I came into the office
Mr.. Arthur sent me out TO get him
package OF cigarettes. When I came
back he was gone. He didn't even wait
for the smokes. He amt been back
since.
"Ahr' exclaimed Wilbur, and scowIed
as a suspicion Of the truth dawned upon
him.
.'This sort Of thing has got 20 stop"
he muttered. I've had about as much
of il as ! intend TO stand / haven't
any doubt that Arthur Darlington Is
responsible for this outrage. I sup
pose he had an idea that I was fool
enough TO lock that picture in my desk
and that's why he forced 1t open.
He and his friend Of the evil coun-
tenance certainly must want that pho
tograph mighty badly. I wonder what
their game can be- 7 wonder il that
beautiful girl is in danger. L wonder
if I am going to have the good fortune
TO meet her2'
His reverie was interrupted by the
sound Of footsteps in the outside cor
ridor The footsteps halted outside the
office door The door opened very
slowly. a. though moved by somebody
ar h.4Gi a
Then something surprising happened
-sometning which caused Wilbur TO
utter a sharp cry OF establishment and
fall back limp in his chair, blinking
lis ewes like man who rashly tries
to stare at the sun.
4 young girl entered the Office-I
tall slender. graceful young girl, with
large black eyes and the most beautiful
face Wilbur had ever gazed upon.
He die not have 20 consult the picture
he had found in the library book to
know that this was the girl OF his
.dreams-s>e original OF the photograph
surrounding which there was SO mUCh
mystery
The Continuation of This story VIII
he Found i'm TOmOrrOw's
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