Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-10-13
CHAPTER xv.-(continued.)

"But Judge Butler has already
vouched for that man." she said quick
uy, so he must be all right"
Kerr inclined his head to her with
a smile.
Butler is easily taken in" said
Harry calmly. Under the direct, the
insolent meaning of his look Flora
felt her face grow hot-her hands
cold. Harry could sit there haunting
this man, hitting him over another
mans back, and Kerr could not resent
it. He could only sit-his head a lit
tie canted forward-looking at Harry
with the traces Of a dry smile upon
his lips.
She thought the next moment every
thing would be declared. She sprang
up, and, with an impulse for rescue,
went to the door Of the smoking-room.
Judge Butler" she called.
There was a sudden cessation OF
talk; a movement of forms dimly seen
in the thick blue element; and then
through wreaths OF smoke, the judges
face dawned upon her like a sun
through fog.
well, well, Miss Flora" he wanted
to know, "to what bad action OF mine
do I owe this good %fortune?"
She retreated, beckoning him to the
middle Of the room. you owe 1t to
the bad action Of another" she said
gayly. "Your friends r being SLAM
-dered."
Harry made a movement as II he
would have stopped her, and the ex-
preston of his face, in its alarm, was
comic. But she paid no heed. She
lat her hand on Harry's arm. "Mr.
Kerr is Just about to accuse us OF be-
ing impostors," she announced. She
had robbed the situation of its peril
by gayly turning it exactly inside out.
The Judge blinked, puzzled at this
extraordinary statement. Harry was
disconnected; but Kerr showed an as
constituent that amazed her-a con
Germ that she could not understand,
He turned at her. Then he laughed
rather shakily as he turned to her
with q mock gallant bow.
"All women impose upon us, ma
dam. And as for Mr.. Cressy"-he
fixed Harry with a look-'T could moi
ecu him Of being an impostor since
we have met in the sacred limits Of
st. James,"
The two glances that crossed be
fore Flors's watchful eyes were keer
as thrust and parry Of rapiers. Harry
bowed stifly.
Il believe, for a fact, we did mo-
meet, but / think | saw you there
once-at some embassy ball."
The words rang, to F1ora's ears, al
If they had been shouted from the
housetops. In the speaking pause tina
followed there was audible an I'm
known hortatory voice from the smo
king room.
Il tell you it's a damn-fool way II
manage it! What's the good Of TWEEN
ty thousand dollars rewards" Flor;
clutched nervously at the back Of he.
chair. She seemed to see the DANCE
of discovery piling up above Kerr lik'
d mountain.
The Judge chuckled. you see wha
you saved me from. They've been a
1t hammer and tongs all the ever
ing. Every man in town has his ide,
on that subject"
"For instance, what is that one?
Kerr's casual voice was in contrast t
his guarded eyes,
The Judge looked pleased. "Tha
ono? why, that's my own-was, q
least, half an hour ago. You see
about that twenty-thousand-dolla
proposition" They moved nearer t
him. They stood, the four, around tn
red velvetrcoyered table, like peopl
waiting to be served. THE trouble |
right here" said the Judge emphasii
ing with blunt forefnger. "The croo
has a pal. That's probable, isn't 1t?
Harry nodded. Flora felt Kerr
eyes upon her, but she could not loo
at him.
"And we see the thing is at a deaf
lock, don't we? Well, now,' the judg
went on triumphantly, I'VE know
any one person had the whole rim
It would be turned In by this tim
That Is the weak spot In the rewar
~. .LN LMI.L A.