The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-15

1lt OF lace In DOtn nandS, then OpeneI
hem. There were two handkerchief.
now-they were Identical.
Which is it, please?" she asked.
II Mr.. Grimm was disappointed
there was not a trace of it on his face
She laughed outright, gleefully, mock
ingly, then, demurely:
Pardon me, You see, it's absurd
The handkerchief the butler restored
TO me at dinner, after lost one in the
senor's Office, might have been either
of these, or one of ten other dupli
Gates in my room, all given to me by
her Maj mean" she corrected
| quickly, by friend in Europe" She
was silent for moment. rs that ALP
NO replied Mr.. Grimm gravely,
decisively. I'm not satisfied l shall
insist upon the return of the money,
and If it is not forthcoming dare say
Count di Rosini, the Italian ambassa-
dor, would be pleased to give his per-
sonal check rather than have the mat
! ter become public" She started to
interrupt; but he went on "In any
event you will be requested to leave
the country"
Then, and not until then, a decided
change came over Miss Thornes face.
A deeper color leaped to her cheeks,
the smile faded from her lips, and
there was a fash of uneasiness in her
eyes.
But if / am innocent?" she pro-
tested.
You must prove it," continued Mr.
Grimm mercilessly. Personally, / am
convinced, and Count di Rosini has
practically assured me that"
IT'S unjust!" she interrupted pas
sionately. IT'S - it's - you have
proved nothing. It's unheard Of! It's
beyond-!'
Suddenly she became silent. min
ute, two minutes, three minutes
passed; Mr.. Grimm waited patiently.
"Will you give me time and oppor
tunity to prove my innocence?" she
demanded finally. And If / do con-
vince you-?
81 should be delighted to believe
that ! have made mistake Mr.
Grimm assured her. How much time
One day? Two days?"
Il will let you know within an hour
at your Office" she told him.
Mr.. Grimm rose.
And meanwhile, in case of accident.
shall look to Count di Rosini for ad-
justment," he added pointedly. Good
morning"
One hour and ten minutes later he
received this note, unsigned:
CLOSED carriage will stop for you
at southeast corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Fourteenth Street tonight
at one"
He was there; the carriage was on
time; and my lady of mystery was in
side. He stepped in and they swung
out into Pennsylvania Avenue, noise |
lessly over the asphalt.
Should the gold be placed in your
hands now, within the hour" she |
oueried solicitously, would it be nee. |
essary for you to know who was the
the thief?'
1T would" Mr.. Grimm responded
without hesitation.
Even II It destroyed reputation n
she pleaded.
THE Secret Service rarely destroys
a reputation, Miss Thorne, although 1t
holds itself in readiness to do so.
dare say In this case there would be
no arrest or prosecution, because Of
of reasons which appear to be good"
There Wouldn't" and there was a
note OF eagerness in her voice. 1.-THE
IDENTITY of the guilty person would
never APPEAR"
1t would become matter of record
n our office. but beyond that think
not at least in this one instance"
Miss Thorne sat silent for block
Or more.
You'll admit, Mr.. Grimm. that you
iaye forced me into a most remark
'ble position. You seemed convinced
II my guilt, and, II you'll pardon me,
without reason; then you made 1t
upon me to establish my
innocence. The only way for me to
10 that was to find the guilty one. l
rave done 1t, and I'm sorry, because
is little tragedy"
Mr.. Grimm waited.
It's a girl high In diplomatic So
iety. Her fathers position is an hon
'rable rather than a lucrative one;
10 has no fortune. This girl moves
n certain set devoted to bridge, and
takes are high. She played and won,
nj played ana won, and on and on,
Until her winnings were about eight
thousand dollars. Then luck turned.
'he began to lose. Her money went,
nut she continued to play desperately.
finally some old family jewels were
'awned without her fathers knowl-
dge. and ultimately they were lost.
)ne day she awoke to the fact that
he owed some nine or ten thousand
collars in bridge debts. They were
'ressing and there was no way to
meet them. This meant exposure and
tier ruin, and women do strange
Kings, Mr.. Grimm, to postpone such
n ending to social aspirations. l
now this much is true. for she re-