The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-31

hands happily, noting the change IT
Bob and arguing good from IL
Phil 100, was pleased at the new
manner of lis cousin and the four eX-
utes.
Excuse me- said Alice, shortly, i
want ~ read my letter. Funny. 1
found it under the door as we came IN.
Bob expressed mild curiosity ana the
glri turned away TO read the mote mote,
" lille she was thus occupied the uncle
proposed Ehat the game continue ana
Phil Joined them.
Everybody was happy, the old bond
Joining the three men seemed TO have nave
beer renewed and strengthened. The
quarrel apparently had been forgotten;
suddenly q short gasp from the gifi
startled them. Turning, they saw her
HaVer and the letter she had received
uCttered from Ter hand.
Phil was at her side in second. He
helred her TO chair and she sat down
weakly, pressing handkerchief to her
Bob stopped and picked up the letter.
handing il back to her She held 1t
nstlesSly for a few minutes and then
gave it TO Uncle Jack, VINO had watched
the whole performance with excited IN
terest.
He took the note and read:
MY Dear Miss Arlington:
l want to worn you against Phil
Daring. lie does not love you. His
uncle has offered $4,000 to him If he
n;2rrleS you and ne is working for
that He is a good actor but beware.
IT is a large sum OF money. Enough
10 tempt any man.
A SINCERE FIR END.
looked sharply from one TO the other
of the trio
What's this?'' he demanded.
rs II true2' demanded the girl.
1t is true that / offered that amount
TO either of the boys that would marry
gil Ike YOU" Uncle Jack replied,
without thinking.
Then it is true" The girl hung her
head in shame, her lips parted uncon-
sciOusly. and she murmured. And I
was 50 happy. To think thaI it should
have happened tonight"
Phil seized the letter and devoured it.
live that, Alice?"
Did you know about the money!
asked the girl calmly.
1es, but I-yOu see He tried TO
ind his footing. but slipped back into
Miss Arlington Miss Arlington
cried Bob, entering the gap to support
ms cousin surely you wouldn't be-
as rot the person who wrote it knew
absolutely nothing about it,"
But, she protested, both Phil and
Mr.; Stevens have admitted the truth
bowed to her decision
But Uncle Jack took It up.
1T shall be an right vet. Miss Ar
nnston! ne cried II hereby with
draw my offer of $4,000
Bob looked stunned. Pills eyes
Mashed eagerly. He ioowed down at
/ the girl lmplOringly to see If she would
not change her mind a t this.
But how does that alter ms tiers
should think that be had deceived
me, protested Alice "Oh let ms 20
TO my room! ] must leave here. in tie
morning This is awful, aw-"
The door opened abruptly, and Eben
"What is it. Eben?" snapped Johr
| stevens, slightly resenting the spoiled
/ old fellows intrusion.
| THE medicine, sir. ] Just got back
with il from the drug store
Bob went white as he saw Eber
| hand the bottle TO Uncle Jack, and
/ noted that It was still wrapped in the
paper that Eben had picked up in his
| room.
Good! III take some of this now
| said Stevens, pulling off the wrapper
! He was about to uncork the bottle
when a scrap of writing on the paper
attracted his attention. He looked al
lit closely. A strange light came int
/ his eyes. In a second he had suatcheC
| up the anonymous note and compared
| the handwriting.
] Then he looked quickly around the
room. Bob tried to retain his front
/ but did so only with a great effort.
| Eben was just leaving.
"Eben" called Uncle Jack.
/. what is it," querfed the servant
| Where did you find this paper?'
In young Mr.. Stevens room, STRIP
| Bob, do you know anything aboU
| this?" cried the irate uncle.
! ono, sir" lied the other, quickly
| averting his eyes
| "I beg your pardon" put in EbeT
| but he does. There were other scraps
of the same kind near it, and 1 saw
| him cover up one when ] went int,
/ the room Besides, he tried to &c
| this piece of paper back, ID theT
| told me 1t didn't make any difference
/ That made me suspicious, sir, and
I serving you, and not him, I b-ough