The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-12

lent, but he did not snow II. no mer0
" suggested, suavely: London, as
you are aware, is not all England. IN
truth, it is no part of England at all
to anybody seeking quiet and rest
True enough. But it is the CEN
trail information bureau when 1t comes
to cleaning news about anybody that
is anybody. wherever they may be IN
the United Kingdom-or out OF 1t. TOR
that matter"
Mr.. jenkins laugh was Of nature
to disarm resentment and invite con-
fdences.
Come, Mr.. Van Vechten," he con-
tinued brightly, you can be franker
with me and not bring about any dis
astrous results-can't you? You will
II you pause to consider my point of
view. Here it is.
Miss Carew's social position is the |
very highest; she is a distinguished
figure not only in New York. but her
beauty and charm and talent-her
genius, l might say-have been her
aided all over the country. For a
week or more cablegrams were fred
in to the papers dilating upon her
brilliant performances as q musician
Next 1t is announced that she is to
come homo shortly-an event even for
New York. And then-dead silence.
When society-the publio-has such
4 keen but respectful interest in her,
It's not fair for her to hide herself
away.
Don't you think" he concluded by
asking. that you ought to tell me
where she is?"
II am sorry" said Rudolph, that l
am not in q position to accommodate
you, but must respect Miss Carew's
desire for seclusion." He spoke
trife stihly, which was not his habit
1t all, and felt decidedly uncomfort-
able.
Then came the one dreaded query:
DO you know where she Isl"
He was nettled.
Really" he returned, you appear
to be attaching undue importance to
very commonplace situation-indeed
without any warrant whatever, l as
sure you. Regardless of my cousins
position, she is as much entitled to
privacy as anybody else. I repeat
that l respect her desires, and must
insist that you do SO too."
Jenkins pressed him no further.
The cab had now arrived opposite
Washington Place. and the reporter
asked to be dropped.
When he was once more alone. Van
Vechten was annoyed at the extent
to which the interview had disturbed
him; feeling which he sought to
relieve by mentally upbraiding his
cousin and promising himself ample
revenge in the days to come.
wait till l see her." he assured
himself, IT l don't give her pleae-
ant quarter Of an hour! Paige has a
devil Of temper, and l can make
1t hurt"
However, on his arrival at the Pow.
hatan he was to be still further dis
turbed. He found Mr.. Flint waiting
for him, who, as soon as he entered
! the lounging-room, drew him off into
corner
The detective produced from his
pocket gold.mash purse, which he
handed to Van Vechten.
Did you ever see that before" he
quietly asked.
1t looked very familiar, very like
one he had given Paige her last birth.
day. But there were thousands Of
imil9r purses, and the circumstance
sisEi;ed nothing.
=. II it," said Mr.. Flint.
| The young man obeyed mechanic.
ally. His nostrils were assailed by
delicate, familiar fragrance; still
! ne was not consciously apprehensive.
He perceived pair of gloves, small
gold vanitybox, few hairpins and
an old-fashioned silver card-case. He
viewed this latter with a shock OF
! surprise; next instant he had it open
! and one of the cards in his hand.
To his utter amazement, the card
, bore his cousins name.
All doubt and uncertainty respect
ing the ownership of the purse were
/, now removed: he knew it to be his
cousins. He had known it, he ad
mitted freely to himself, from the in
slant Flint laid it in his hand.
One thought alone chung persistent
iy in his mind: Paige was in England
and here was her purse in New York
1t might have left her possession only
within the hour, too; the faint, swee
perfume was so much an intimat,
!, part OF herself, so typical of her ex
: quisite femininity, of her individual
ity, that her presence here in tn,
a room with him was almost certainl,
e indicated.
No wonder that he was dumfound
ed. No wonder that he remained star
I ing blankly at the glittering objec
y until the detectives voice arouse,
t him.
Mr.. Van Vechten," said Mr.. Flint
do you know where Miss Paige Ca
&C.,