Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-06-03

ANSWERED SOFTLY.
financial credit was now a negative
quality.
Line busy" called central.
Glad of It," returned Hugh, re-
lieved. Il mean never mind. III call
again"
Then he took out his deliberately
monogrammed bin fold and spread all
his worldly wealth before him-a soli-
tary ten dollar bill.
But was he not to hang out his sign
as lawyer next week: Why. his
office was all engaged He could still
afford to indulge in one sentimental
luxury
AS he stood outside the florists win
dow, studiously contemplating the lay,
ish display within, the duke alighted
jauntily from his motor, or, rather.
from the Van Sickle motor. and passed
into the shop. Hugh followed cautious
ly and from n palm screened corner
watched with keen interest the dukes
fastidious choice.
Five dozen Bride roses. Very clever
of him." murmured Hugh.
lone dozen American Beauties" or
dered Hugh as soon as the duke had
disappeared THE best YOU have"
Then, handing over his card, on which
he had written a few words, he left
the shop light heartedly His mind
was made up. He was going to the
dance
Festivities were in full swing when
he entered the drawing room. He had
purposely planned late arrival. For
few minutes he wandered aimleSsly
about, glanclng at his watch now and
then, and finally stopped short before
n huge mass OF magnificent Bride roses
placed suggcstively near full length
portrait of Marion Van Sickle
AS he stood lost in admiration before
It his friend Rogers clapped him sud
denly on the shoulder.
"Ho, no, Stoddard," was the familiar
greeting. Looks as though we were
out of the running. doesn't it? Those
are the roses Miss Van Sickle is wear
ing tonight-Brlde roses. you notice
Can't guess who sent 'em, s'pose?"
Stoddard. affecting a good natured
Indifference, glanced at his watch again
and pleaded an engagement
With fcverish haste he then made
his way toward the music room. ut the
extreme end OF the house Would
Marian be there? 1t was just 11:4J
the hour he had written on his card.
AS he neared the heavy portieres
which separated the room from the
hall he was sure he heard womaus
stlhcd cry. Cautiously and silently he
peercd through the curtains The sight
that met his eyes made his heart stand
still.
Leaning against the piano was Mari
an, more beautiful far than her por-
trait, hut pale as death. In front Of
her a masked man held a revolver close
to her forehead; behind her Il second
masked man was unclasping the dia
mond necklace from her white throat.
Hardly knowing what he did. Stod-
dard knocked over Il chair by way of
warning and then rushed into the mu-
sic room. In a flash the burglars had
darted out of the open window at the
end of the room. Hugh turned to
Marian.
Sobbng and shuddering. she had
sunk down into Il big armchair-a
pathetic, frightened little heap.
Marian. dear" Hugh murmured
tenderly, putting his strong, protecting
arm about her. ITS all right now
Just you cry awhile, though. It will
do you good. You were terribly
plucky. And you haven't even lost
your necklace. They dropped it. See?
There" he said, patting her wet lashes
with his own big handkerchief. shall
l go get you some brandy or some
thing to steady your nerves"
But Marian shook her head and
clung to him all the closer. She could
not yet trust herself to speak. At
length, growing calmer, she looked up
at him and smiled family.
"You see" she said slowly, Il came
and | wore one of your roses, but you
were late, Hugh. l came at exactly
half past H." she added. with some