The Paonia newspaper., 1911-03-24
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Dignified Mrs. Slade
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary PressD
By EFFIE STEVENS

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
ishing stunt" Warren Clagett de-
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 as much as
his job was worth, and he could not
afford to lose that while he was nego-
tiating for. and had almost secured.
higher salaried position with the
rival firm of Smith & Tullary, for
these gentlemen would certainly have
nothing more to say TO a young man
who had been fired. And his marriage
with Clara depended upon his becom-
ing Independent 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 father
forgiving them. But It is one thing to
say one must get out OF the way and
another thing to do It.
The young couple was having a
stolen interview In the upper story OF
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 a flight OF stairs leading up
through trapdoor in the floor
II was useless for Warren to at
tempt an exit by way of the stairs un-
less he wished TO run into the arms of
his employer. so he turned his atten-
ton to the windows The building
was low. and he thought he should be
able to scramble from some window
to the ground. Alas! One glance re-
vealed the fact that the room con-
tanned no windows which would not
be in full view of the approaching Mr.
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 dt ection. too. his hopes
seemed futile. The whole place did
not contain SO much as cupboard.
And in the way OF furnishings Clara
had affected an almost masculine sim
plicity Across the blank rear wall of
the room were rough shelves loaded
with books and papers. but the cur
tains. behind which as slender a per-
son as Warren might have fattened
himself, had been omitted. The only
article of furniture large enough to
have concealed any one was the roll
top desk. but unfortunately this occu-
pied the middle OF the room. and Of
fered no secure protection.
Warren gave Clara a look OF comi-
cal despair.
Guess I've got to face the music.
all right he grinned.
But Clara's wits had been working.
She knew how much depended upon
warren's not being discovered there
by her father.
With a finger on her lips-for Mr..
Horton could be heard ascending the
steps OF the ummer-house-she tip
toed to the opposite side of the room
and took down some garments of her
own which were hanging upon a con-
venient nail.
Warren did not refuse to allow him
self to be helped into the long. loose
motoring coat and close. gay little
bonnet Goggles and a thick veil,
wrapped about the lower part of his
lean. smooth shaven face. completed
the disguise. Fortunately Warren was
a slender youth while Clara was de-
cidedly tall for a girl. and the gar
ments were fair At.
The task was completed not a mo-
ment too soon. The conspirators had
barely seated themselves when Mr.
Horton stepped into the room.
why. father. aren't you home
early?" Clara asked with well simu-
lated unconcern.
"Oh, / had to return after some
papers I'd forgotten" Mr.. Horton ex-
planned briskly. I'm going right back.
Thought I'd run In for moments
chat
Then catching sight OF the stranger
he added: Excuse me. didn't know
you had company"
Warren trembled lest his employer
recognize his daughters apparel when
he felt that gentleman's keen eyes
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