Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-12-25
ats the Excitement of Getting 1t and
Coming Away Unscathed."


mere was never any need Ulu now.
Eight years ago. Certain powers that
be worked toward my escape. But
was never to return. You will recol-
lect that have always remained this
side. Enough. What 1 did does not
matter. l will say this much: my
crime was in being found out. One
venture into New York and out to sea
again; they will not have chance. I
doubt if any could recall the circum-
stances of my meteoric career. You
will observe that am keyed for any,
thing. Let us get to work. 1t doesn't
matter, anyhow"
"You did not -" Mrs. Ched-
soye hesitated.
"Blood?" reading her thought. mo,
Gioconda; my hands are guiltless, at
least they were till his Bagdad affair;
and 1 am not sure there. 1 was a
trusted clerk; 1 gambled; l took
money that did not belong to me. And
here am, room number 20S."
ut doesn't matter. Come, Kate;
don't stare at Hoddy as if he were a
the ends of his moustache. This con-
fessicn will be good for his SOUL"
Eyes, Gioconda; I feel easier now.
I am heart and soul in this affair. I
need excitement, too. Lord, yes.
When went to Bagdad, 1 had no idea
that I should ever lay eyes upon that
rug. But I did. And there's the
emeralds, too, major"
The major rubbed his hands pleas
urably. 'Yes, yes; the emeralds; 1
had not forgotten them. One hundred
lovely green stones, worth not penny
under thirty thousand. A fine collec-
ton. But another idea has taken pos
session Of this teeming brain of mine.
Have you noticed how this fellow
Jones hovers about Fortune? He's
worth q million, if he's worth a cent.
I am sure, in pure gratitude, she
would see to it that her loved ones
were well taken care of in their old
age"
st am going to marry Fortune my
SELF" said Ryanne blandly.
'You?" The major was nonpiussed.-
Wallace shuffled his feet uneasily
This blond companion of his was al
ways showing kinks in his nature,
kinks that rarely ever Strengthened
out
eyes. And why not? What is she
to either you or her mother? Moth
ing. Affection you have never given
her, being unable. It surprises you;
but, nevertheless, l love her, and I
am going to marry her"
Really" said Mrs Chedsoye.
even So"
''You are a fool, Horacel' with ris-
fng fury. So then, the child had not
jibed her in a moment Of pique?
''Men in love generaTv orc fools
rye never spoken before, because you
never absolutely needed me till now
There's my cards, pat"
Mrs. Chedsoye's fury deepened, but
not visibly. You are welcome to her,
if she will have you"
yes" supplemented the major; ''if
she will have you, my friend, take her,
and our benedictions."
Ryanne's shoulders stirred sugges-
lively.
"Of course, 1 expect to have the
final word to say on the subject She
is my daughter" said Mrs. Chedsoye.
"a trifiing accident, my dear Clio
conda," smiled Ryannel merely
that"
Just little oil, just a little oil"
the major pleaded anxiously. dash
it all, this is no time for a row of this
silly order. But it's always the way"
irritably "A big enterprise, demand
ing a single purpose, and trife like
this to upset 1t ALI"
II am ready for business at any mo-
ment"
And you. Kate?"
CTO BE CONTINUED