The Washington times., 1909-03-27
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

gloves 1 was asking YOU to get me the
ether day?"
NO, it isn't gloves" replied HamiI-
ton, graveIy. 1t is something for vour
hand; but il is likely to prove nuch
more useful to you tl:aa gloves. [ SUD
pose you'd never guess what ii s. so I
might as well give it 10 you without
keeping YOU in suspense.
He thereupon produced from his
pocket q tiny revolver, with a mother
of-pearl handle, incased in a brown
leather holster. and handed it to the
girl
''Oh. dear" she exclaimed, regarding
the weapon with an air OF Gisappoint-
ment 1t is very pretty, of course.
quite the cutest little revolver l have
ever seem bur L am horribly afraid of
firearms and-isn't it rather a queer
present to give a girl, dsd?''
Wei, | guess it amt exactly usual to
give girl a revolver for a birthday
present" replied her father, grimly.
but after what occurred last week il
seems 10 me it is a very appropriate,
gift in your case.
Il shall feel "a whole cot easier about
you, my dear, knowing that you've got
this little article in your handbag ready
for use at any time.
And L want you to use 1t. too. Laura,
if you ever have cause. I want you tc.
be a brave little girl. and shoot to kill
If you ever find yourself in a situation
like YOU was in the other night.
If that whiSkered wretch ever both
ers you again, don't hesitate 10 put
daylight into his hide. You'd be fully
justified, legally and morally.
THAT little gun for all it is so small.
will serve you in good stead in a case
like that. 1t looks like a toy. but II
carries a 32-caliber bullet. which is big
enough to kill a horse, and Il shoots 81 <
times, without reloadlng. It's lit e
beaut. 1 bought 1t secondhand, at a
great bargain. i seemed 10 me Thu (
after what's happened you ought to be
armed
But I'd be afraid to carry it." pro-
tested the girl, eyeinS the weapon with
mistrust I'D be in constant Scar that
it might go off accidentally, dad
There's no danger OF that But to
make assurance doubly sure I'll fire on
the bullet in the first chamber
He went 70 the door and aiming at
distant tree pulled the trigger.
Now" he said, adjusting the cham
the girl, lit positively can't dc any
harm unless you want it 10. Even if
you pulled the trigger now, it wouldn't
shoot, because the hammer would come
down on the discharged cartridge. Dut
if you pull the trigger a second time It
VIII explode one OF the five good cart
ridges you've got left.
Remember that, Laura. When you
really want TO use il you've got 10 pull
the trigger twice. If you pull il only
once il won't shoot. That makes it alb
solutely safe"
''Wen, I'll take it if you wish,' said
the girl, but 1 really don't think it's
necessary, dad ! am very careful not
to venture out alone more than 1 can
help, and, as you know, Mr.. Arthur
harrington escorts me home from the
office every evening, as he promised
Yes. 1 know he does" rejoined Mr.
Hamilton. by the way, little girl.
want TO have talk with yoG about
him. How do you like him?"
As he asked this question he looked
at the girl keenly.
father" exclaimed the girl, with an en-
barrassed la1gn and a blush. "Of
course, ! like MIN very much. Why
shouldn't I? He's my employer, and.
besides, he's very nice to me-"
For a few seconds her father was
silent. Then he said very -earnestly:
Wei, I don't like him. Laura ! don't
like him at all. There's something
about the fellow which makes me think
that he's no good. 1 wish you didn't