The Washington times., 1909-03-26
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

mysterious photograph which he had
found in the library book.
fou are sure of il. Steve?r incurred
Wilbur eagerly.
absolutely positive. II is a perfect
likeness, except that. as you said the
other day the original is ever so much
OeIIeF looking tnan the photograph rep
| ieSeu's her 10 be. That dainty color
ing ana the liquid brightness of those
beautiful eyes were, of course, entirely
lost on the camera. By the way, VIII
our you are looking pretty blue. Any
thing wrong, old .nan?''
Yes. / am feeling pretty blue. so it
Is no wonder if l look that way" re-
spOnded the other. with a sigh. .TU
tel you all about it later, Steve I
can't talk about it here. We might be
overheard
Are you going to escort Miss Ham
hton home this evening"" inquired Clay
ton.
"Hush' For heavens sake don't talk
50 loud, No, am not going to see her
nome She has discarded me for an
other escort" replied Wilbur bitterly.
Al little hitch in your love af-
fair. eh? J. is that which makes you
look so peevish, III wager. Who IS
your hated rival. old chap?'
Arthur Barrington!" replied the other
savagely. Don't Jest about il. Steve.
1 assure you it isn't any laughing mat
ter. ! flatter myself that was making
great headway with her until the junior
partner started into making love to
Eer-cOnfound him. / can see right
now that he is going 20 cut me out.
What chance do 1 stand with him for a
rlval?''
Pooh. Don't despair so readily my
boy. The fair lady may prefer you 10
harrington. Don't be GOV ard enough
TO give up the struggle just because
your competitor happens to be your
boss. Put up a good fight and no doubt
you will win
Wilbur shook his head sadly and
sighed.
mo, / won't. J haven't any show.
Arthur harrington has an irresistible
way with the other sex. And besides,
he's a member Of the firm. That
counts for a whoie lot. Naturally the
girl feels hattered by the fact that the
boss should pay her attention. Any girl
in her position would be. You see, there
fore, it isn't fair contest. I am sadly
Handicapped at the start
"Humph! Do you think that Bar
rington's attentions are really serious
concerning her, Wilbur? He has a Tepu-
tation of being pretty much Of a fiirt.
hasn't he2 I think you told me once
that he had made love to every type
writer girl ever employed here"
Yes. That's true. But he appears
to be really in earnest this time. His
attitude toward this girl isn't the same
as it was toward the others"
In what respect does it differ2" in
quired Clayton.
We'll, he treats her with a great
deal more respect. He is much more
careful in what ne says to her. His
behavior is entirely different. I can't
exactly explain why, but somehow 1
can see plainly that he is really serious
this time. It isn't a mere hlrtatiou.'
You think he is really in love with
her, them"
Well I don't know about that. OIL
course. ne may not really bs in love
With her, but ne certainly is trying to
make her believe that he is. and he
seems determined TO make her fall in !
love with him.
His motive may be sinister, Steve |
That's what's worrying me. I think /
] could stand losing the girl If 1 thought /
that Arthur Darlington was on the level /
concerning her. But his relations with 4
that vinainOus-faced italian, and the
queer actions Of both Of them regard |
ing that mysterious photograph make /
l.
danger tc the girl
Clayton nodded his head vigorously.
Yes ] agree with you. old man. /
There IS villainy at the bottom Of Ar \
thur BarringtOn's courtship. We must /
prevent MIN from winning her-not only /
for your sake. but for hers"
Hush whispered Wilbur hurriedly
Not another word on the subject.
Here she comes now. Don't let her
suspect we've been talking about her"
Miss Hamilton, who had been in the
private office taking letter from Frank
Barrington's dictation, came into the
outer room and resumed her seat at the
typewriter.
The two friends began 10 discuss the
weather and other equally trivial top
les with apparent zest, Clayton at fire.
ouent intervals stealing furftive glances
at the girl seated at the machine.
Did you say Arthur Darlington is
going 20 see her home this EVENING""
he whispered at length
Wilbur nodded gIoomiIy.
Where is he now?'
He went out half an hour ago. bur |
| heard MIN tell her that he'd be back
by closing time Wilbur replied in q /
whisper.
Let's follow them" suggested Claw
ton eagerly.
Follow them Where2"
Wherever they go, Of course. Let's