Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-12

peated, tell him III pay any price he
may ask.
That is a pretty large promise NJ.
Grantley. smiled the locksmith. lie
didn't know how father hates 10 he
thNaried.
ell. ! take il fer granted Your in
ventor is not robber, and ! am willing
TO pay him anything within reason TO 81
that safe open tonight.
Very Well. Ill do my best, repeated
the locksmith. In a very few minutes IL
vas speeding 10 the station in father S
own runabout auto. and father was some
what Gained as he was filled with new
hope
If he has good luck in finding the
scamp who invented this Internal ma
chine. Sue, he ought 10 bring him back 81
the DO, he said. Have some supper
prepared. That may put him in good
h,imor."
We ate our dinner hurriedly, with the
Uniformed idea in minds that our
haste might hurry the locksmith in his
quest.
Father smoked and fumeo lWo hours
afterward. during which time | tried 10
screw my courage 10 the point where
could bring up the subject Of Harold.
hated to have father go away angry Vt
Harold and unreconciled 10 the fact II
our love. which he pretended TO ignore
But feared that if ! asked him 70
yield to wishes il might simply result
in his reiterating and increasing the -
verify of his refusal So | sat silent and
unhappy while father restlessly paced the
floor of the study. every once in a while
stopping 10 examine the unyieldine lock
the safe. NJ last We heard the puff
puff Of the automobile. and both ran
Out on the veranda
The locksmth jumped fairly out Of the
runabout and behind him came Harold,
The porch light fell full on his face. or |
should have thought | was mistaken. so
surprised was l.
We'll, | captured our man., said the
locksmith, genally.
That's good, answered father. and
then. suddenly recognizing Harold said
What are YOU doing here. I'd Ike .
know" Didn't | make myself understood
when minated that your presence at
Hilltop was not desired"
Father very angry and trembled
words and say something that would en-
rage him still further. But | need not
have worried Harold had no desire %
provoke father. He laughed little in his
pleasant way.
Why, Mr.. Grantley YOU sent for me.
lie said, most respectfully. .or / should
not, of course, have taken the liberty of
coming.
lnnl- mo
much mystified. when l exclaimed. "Oh,
father. Mr.. Thompkins must be the in
Ncntor of your lock-
of course he is miss. said the lock-
smith. and we'll have the safe open nov
in jffy.
Yes, admitted Harold Il did get up
that little lock"
The deuce You did," growled father,
and then. realizing that he was at iii"
mercy OF Harold, he said, more amiablv.
Well as YOU probably know, | am ex-
tremely anxious to get into my safe
Please name your price and 90 to work at
once"
Il think there is no need of telling YOU
. Mr.. Grantley, that | don't desire any
money in payment for the little service |
am about 10 perform. | wish something
far more precious than all the money III
the world, but whether YOU see fit TO give
me that or not, | am very happy To help
you out of your present difficulties
Dear old daddy looked anything but
pleased this magnanmity. He had al
avs liked Harold. and he found il most
displeaSing to have him behave in man
ner that he could only admire, and h
silently led the way into tie study. In 4
very short time Harold lad deftly pick ed
his own lock. and fathers precious papers
We're lying in his hands
II greatly indebted to YOU, Mr.