Putnam patriot., 1913-10-24

men Mary DuUnamS voice. clear and penetrating. rang through the halls:
 "Tryon. Tryoni Come quick Help, Help"
 AS if in answer to her call. the ele- vator shot up to the second floor. and Tryon Durham stepped out in time to see the two men snatch Mary's hands again and attempt to bind them behind her back.
 In an instant he had seized Richard by the collar and landed him on the hall carpet, while we'll directed blow sent the fiabby Irishman sprawling at the feet of the detective. who prompt | ly sat on him and pinioned his arms behind him.
 How dare you lay finger upon this lady?" said Tryon Dunham. as he stepped to the side of his wife and put. strong arm about her, where she stood white and frightened in the doorway
 No one had noticed the bell boy had come to the head of the stairs and re- ceived 8 quiet order from the detec- | tive.
 In sudden fear, the discounted Rich- ard arose and attempted to bluff the stranger who had so unwarrantly in- terfered just as his fingers were about to close over the golden treasure of htz cousins fortune.
 Indeed, sir. you wholly misundey> stand the situation" he sald to Dun ham. with an air of injured innocence, though perhaps you can scarcely be blamed. This girl is an escaped iuna- tic. We have been searching for her for days, and have just traced her It Is our business to take her back at once. Her friends are in great dis tress about her. Moreover. she Is dan gerous and a menace to every guest Tn this house. She has several times attempted to murder" Stop!" roared Durham, in a thun- derous voice Of righteous anger She is my wife. And you are her cousin. l know all about your plot to shut her up in an insane asylum and steal her fortune. have found you sooner than l expected, and I intend to see that the law takes it's full course with you"
 Two policemen now arrived on the scene, with number of eager bell boys and porters in their wake, ready to take part in the excitement
 Richard had turned deadly white at the words, She is my wife," It was the death knell of his hopes of secur- ing the fortune for which he had not hesitated to sacrifice every particle of moral principle. When he turned and saw impending retribution in the shape of the two stalwart representa- tives of the law, look of cunning came into his face, and with one swift motion he turned to flee up the stair case close at hand.
 Not much you don't. said an en- terprising bellboy fiinging himself in the way and tripping up the scoundrel in his flight.
 The policemen were upon him and had him handcuffed in an instant The lrishman now began to protest that he was but an innocent tool, hired to help discover the whereabouts of an escaped lunatic. as he supposed. He was walked off to the patrol wagon without further ceremony.
 It was all over in a few minutes. The elevator carried off the detective, the policemen and their two prisoners, the door closed behind Durham and his bride and the curious guests who had peered out, alarmed by the up- roar, saw nothing but a few bellboys standing in the hall, describing to one another the scene as they had wit. messed it.
 Dunham drew the trembling girl into his arms and tried to soothe her. The tears rained down the white cheeks as her head lay upon his breast, and he kissed them away.
 oh" she sobbed, shuddering If you had not come! It was terrible, terrible! I believe he would have killed me rather than have let me go again.
 Gradually his tender ministrations calmed her, but she turned troubled eyes to his face.
 You do not know yet that I am all I say. You have nothing to prove 1t Of course, by and by, when I can get to my guardians, and with your help perhaps make them understand, you wlli know, but I don't see how you can | trust me till then" For answer he brought his hand up ] in front of her face and turned the | flashing diamond-her diamond-so | that it's glory caught the single ray of setting sun that filtered into the hotel ! window.
 See, darling" he said. Tt is your ring. I have worn it ever since as an outward sign that I trusted you"
 You are taking me on trust though. in spite of all you say. and il ! is beautiful"
 He laid his lips against hers. Yes he said; it is beautiful. and it is best"
 It was very still in the room for a moment while she nestled close to him and his eyes drank in the sweet | ness of her face.
 See" said he, taking tiny velvet case from his pocket and touching the
 T1 G 7H