Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-09-18

aero is really in first rate shape Since
this will delay our final departure I
thought that perhaps you would ike
to drop line to your father. assuring
him of your health and contentment
OF course he will be anxious about
you, and the letter would be an agree
able surprise. l could post It, and 1t
would be received at least three days
before our return to New York
As Payton anticipated. the girl ca
geriy accepted the proposal ana i'm.
mediately sat down and wrote to her
father as follows:
My Own Dear Papa--I was awfuliy
disappointed over the accident that Kept
you and the Mitchens away after you
had got SO near It's g dreadful pity
that the delightful plan could not be car.
r!ed out 1t was 90 romantict But really
have enjoyed my part in II. and 1 shall
enjoy Il more since / now know that the
Whoie anafr had your approval 1 and
susan are In good health and spirits. and
Commodore. Brown Is so entertaining and
so attentive. ana 1 am 50 glad that you
Ike him and that you think that he has
great ability. l have never met q young
man with more elegant manners or more
Intelligent. and then he 10 an American.
and you know how 1 detest those foreign
dot hunters But l must stop for Mr.
Brown is waiting for me. ! send all love
ana nope to see you soon Your affec-
tiOnate daughter HELEN
P. ST. think that Agnes Mitchell is i'm.
pertinent. but truly Mr.. Brown 10 very
interesting His father must have been
a delightful person. 1 like such devoted
natures One OF the Indians Is here.
H.0.
Miss Grayman felt lonesome when
Payton had departed with the Chame-
leon, but she thought OF the pleasure
her letter would afford to her father.
She would have died OF modification
and rage If she had known that her
messenger was hardly out OF sight be-
fore he skillfuiIy opened the envelope
and read the letter, smiling as be saw
how completely it answered his wishes.
Then he carefully reclosed and sealed
IL.
Everything was playing into his
hands To obtain this letter had bees
the object of his forgery. and he could
not himself have written 1t more to his
mind This was the master card that
he had thought OF when he had MIR.
Grayman on the Chameleon. If he
could instin into the fathers mind the
thought that his daughter was begin
ming to be deeply interested in the sup
posed friend who had carried her OF
he calculated that the fear and anxiety
thus awakened would make him VIII
ing to come to any terms for her i'm
mediate release.
From his spies In Washington he
had learned all he needed to know
about the Mitchells. AS soon as Miss
Grayman's letter should be in her ia
theirs hands he would be ready for his
next stroke.
/ No pen can suggest the amazement.
perplexity. anger and despair OF the
Millionaire when he received Helen's
letter bearing the postmark Charlotte.
N. c.
Payton had gone far out of his way
to post the letter in order to give a.
false idea of the direction In which his
mysterious lodge lay.
Mr.. Grayman had all confidence In
laughter. but he knew her roman
lure, and now she was evidently
,,.i,Ietely deceived.
He recalled what Payton had told
him about Helen's deception concern
ing his name and character. and with
a sinking heart he remembered the Eel
lows handsome face and fascinating
speech and bearing. The bare thought
of his daughter taking an interest In
this unspeakable scoundrel drove MIN
wild.
But the next day came the climax
In opening his mail he found letter
posted at Wheeling. W. Va, which
read thus:
Aero Yacht Chameleon. in the Air
Mr.. William Grayman:
Dear Mr. Grayman-Since parted from
you in Central park after our delightful
ride together L have made good progress
in the esteem of your daughter Helen II
is q great qualification to me that, backed
by the powerful approval OF her father' l
find myself persona grata with the young
lady. and know that l shall grow rapid
ly in her favor. Indeed. / am become so
bold as to entertain hopes the fulhllrnent
OF which would give me a place in the
world and in society which could never
otherwise have expected to occupy am
aware that she has written to you. but
what she wrote of course l do not know,
but l have good reason to believe that II
L did know i should have no cause to feel
disappointed
/, Now, my dear Mr.. Grayman. II may &C.
cur to you that the only way in which you
can arrest the current is by keeping your
agreement and arranging for the payment
= of the ten millions. Only that sum could
COMPENSATE me for the defeat or hopes so
brilliant. l trust that you will turn this
matter over IN your mind with your GUS
tomary excellence of judgment. 1 shah
call you up and name a place of meeting
where we can quietly complete the trans
action and effect the transfer. Very re-
spectfully yours.
ALFONSO PAXTON.
IL is best to draw the curtain on
Mr.. Grayman's sanctum after be had
read this letter.
ITO be Continued