The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-03
By EFfTE STEVENS.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated
Ylxnro rv prauaA

Copyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press.)
ats father" Clara Horton an
nounced In CONSERVATION. as the
crunch. crunch Of approaching foot
steps on the gravel walk below was
distinctly heard.
Then It's up to me to do the van
clared. "He simply must not find me
here after having forbidden me the
premises"
Like many another poor young
man. Warren Clagett had made bold
to love his employers daughter. with
the usual result--he had brought
down that employers wrath upon his
erring head. He knew that discovery
at the present moment would be az
much as his job was worth. and he
could not afford to lose that while
he was negotiating for, and had al
most secured. q higher saiaried posi-
ton with the rival firm OF Smith q
Tullar. for these gentlemen would
certainly have nothing more to say
TO young man who had been fired.
And his marriage with Clara de-
pended upon his becoming independ-
ent of her father.
He was too honorable to ask the
girl to cast in her lot with his. trust
ing to the slight prospect of her ia
Their forgiving them. But 1t " one
thing to say one must get out of the
way and another thing to do IL.
The young couple were having a
stolen interview in the upper story OF
q little building In the grounds of Mr..
Horizons suburban home. the lower
story of which was nothing more or
less than an open summer house. The
upper room. which Clara, who dab
bled . trifie In literature. used for a
warm-weather study. was reached
only by q flight OF stairs leading up
through a trapdoor In the floor.
1t was useless for Warren to at
tempt an exit by way of the stairs I'M
less he wished to run into the arms of
his employer, 30 he turned his atten-
ton to the windows. The building
able to scramble from some window
10 the ground. Alas. One glance re-
veaied the fact that the room con-
tanned no windows which would not
be In full view OF the approaching
MIR. Horton.
Seeing that escape was impossible,
the young man looked about him
wildly In search Of a spot. however
small. in which he could hide until
Mr.. Horton had taken his departure.
But In this direction. too, his hopes
seemed futile. The whole place did
not contain so much as a cupboard.
And In the way CT furnishings Clara
had affected an almost masculine
simplicity. Across the blank rear
wall OF the room were rough shelves
loaded with books and papers. but the
curtains, behind which as slender q
person as Warren might have fiat
tened himself. had been omitted
The only article OF furniture large
n fAA
was the roll-top desk. but unforsu-
nately this occupied the middle Of the
room. and offered no secure protec-
ton.
Warren gave Clara a look Of conf
cal despair.
Guess I've got to face the music,
all right" he grinned.
But Ciara.s wits had been working.
She knew how much depended upon
War ms not being discovered there
by her father.
with a finger on her iips--for Mr..
Horton could be ard ascending the
steps OF the summer house-she tip
toeo the opposite side OF the room
and took down some garments of her
own which were hanging upon con-
venient nall.
Warren did not refuse to allow
himself TO be helped into the long.
loose motoring coat and close. gay
little bonnet Goggles and thick
VEIL wrapped about the lower part
OF his lean. smooth shaver face. COM
pleted the disguise. Fortunately War
rem was slender youth. while Clara
was decidedly tall for girl. and the
garments were fair fit.
The task was completed not a mo-
ment too soon. The conspfrators had
barely seated themselves when Mr..
Horton stepped into The rossri $50
why, father. aren't you home
early?'' Clara asked with well simu-
lated unconcern.
oh. I had to return after some
papers I'd forgotten" Mr.. Horton ex-
plains hriskly. I'm going right
back. Thought I'd run In for a mo-
ment's chat"
Then catching sight OF the stran-
ger he added, Excuse me. l didn't
know you had company"
Warren trembled LEST his employer
recognize his daughters apparel when
he felt that gentlsman's keen eyes
nxed upon him: but Nd. Horton
proved himself as Indifferent to the
details OF feminine attire as the ave-