The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-27

q. :s>s1 ing to make hundred aft
davits, careless of their
truth, counting it virtue to
deceive anyone connected with the and his gov.
eminent The memory of the wrongs they had
wrought on him and his burned in his mind Not
in all the years that had elapsed had he forgotten
them But he had begun to remember Olga's
rights No matter whose daughter she might be,
matter what rlghtful enmity he bore against her
father, she herself dear to him. Now that it
came to the point, he could not bring himself ia
throw away her rights without consulting her: GER
talnly not without serious consideration. He would
give no affidavit at the moment.
yet If he refused. Demidrof would keep him in
suspense about his daughter. Well, he could bear
IT; he had been separated from her for twenty years.
surely he could wait a little longer.
:. But what excuse to give What plea could he Of
fer for refusing to bear witness to a state of affairs
which he had already admitted.
WHILE still he hesitated Demidroff who had been
watching him with rising suspicion of he knew
not what, struck in: Il believe justified profess
sor ne remarked suavely, lin telling you that your
daughter is suspected OF utilization with the terror.
ists, and is being sought by the authorities In
formation has recently reached me that she is in
hlGlng in nearby town and is liable to be arrested
any moment. The charges against her very
serious, however, and shall be glad to quash them
if have reason to believe that you friendly to
me- This is only by the way, however. The press
ins business in hand is that affidavit"
The old man flushed red then white: he had
opened his lips to speak, to defy his who was
hooking him, when Florence burst in
The show girl had been watching the old man
narrowly and had guessed very accurately what
was passing in his mind. She felt that it was high
time for her to speak.
Father" she exclaimed anxiousy "For will
still call you father Do not forget obligations
to me-
Florence Obviously she hoped that he would let
the deception go on; obviously she had fostered it,
even II she had not been responsible for it, plainly
she was little cheat, who ought to be exposed
Yet after ALL he himself partly responsible for
her deceit: he had palmed her off Olga, and even
if she had gone beyond his instructions he felt If
fO hor
Indeed he had promised her much in New York
Slowly he raised his tremulous eyes. Il will not
Florence drew long breath She resolved to
dare everything. Say! she exclaimed. "Tll put it
to you straight. When pepper died-the Grand Duke
Ivan, mean-when pepper died he left lot of
money that was to come to me if ever turned up
He left it in the hands of Count Strogoff as trustee
Now Now what the counts done to it is plenty He
thnRs 1T his and he won't give it up till he's made
to. He amt gutter. He'll fight for all he's worth
and amt going to leave any walkover for the
stakes. Not on your tin type. But the baron here
believes in me- He says he and can win out if we
do good team work. He to marry me and
make play for the money. Nobody else could
Win. If l was married already for nstance"-Flor-
ence spoke slowly and pontedly-"my name would
be Dennis, for the baron holds all the cards and
wouldn't back the game unless he stood pull down
something worth while. You see that don't YOU?
Now, if you'll just give the + that affidavit we'll
tour round to the embassy and get a sure 'nuf
preacher. III marry the baron again any way he
says later on, but I've got to be married by some.
body know thing about first. | amt taking
any chances on an illustrated postcard priest Now
father, what do you say?"
The professor had listened intently The girls
words carried conviction. He had heard of Count
Strogoff and could guess how that parsonage would
fight to retain possession of fortune he had once
gotten ms hands on Decidedly, the game was not
worth the candle so far the real Olga was con
cefned 1t was her happiness that he wished for
not to unsette her life. SC happily begun, by dan
gng before her dream of wealth that however it
ended could not bring her greater conentment than
was hers at present If Florence wanted TO take
the risks OF the game let her. He owed nothing to
Demldrof or to any other Russian
Very Welt" he declared, turning to the baron