The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-08-15

an old mans darling than young
mans drudge. distrust every
man ! know. came 70 ask you
and Susan 10 60 10 the opera with
me tonight. You will come to my
apartments first. You will come ?"
TO be sure We Will"
Simple little fool" thought the
Russian on the way home. she
shall see
Il believe the countess IL engaged
10 be married" said Florence 20
Jones.
Indeed. niss7"
Yes. couldn't get anything
definite out OF her. but she had a
beautiful ring on her finger. She
wants Susan and me 10 40 TO the
opera with her tonight WIN that
be all right7"
Jones razed abstracsedIy NJ the
rug. Whenever a problem both
cred him he seemed TO find the
solution In tho delicate patterns OF
the Persian rugs. Finally he nodd-
ed. II see no reason why you
should not go. Only. watch out"
Jones. there IL one thing that
win make me brave and happy. VIII
you tell me n you are In direct
communication with my father?"
Yes. Miss Florence" he anSwered
promptly. But do not breathe this
to n single soul. neither Susan nor
Norton"
Il promise that. But. All hasten
the day when he can come 10 me
without fear"
That ~ my wish also"
You need not call me miss Why
should your
1T might not he wise 10 have any
one hear me call you thus famil-
larry" he objected gravely.
Please yourself about that Now
''Jim7' he murmured.
Jim" tho burmured.
lie caught the word which was
not intended for HIS ears. But for
once Jones had been startled out
OF himself
lis II wrong for me TO call Mr.
Norton JIM she asked with bit
OF banter.
1T Ia not considered quite the
proper thing, Miss Florence. TO call
n young man by his first name I'M
less yor are engaged 10 marry him.
or grew up with him from child.
hood"
well. supposing I were engaged
70 hint" haughtlly.
THAT would be a very grave az
fair. What have you TO prove that
he may not wish TO marry you for
your money!"
why. Jones. you know that I
haven't n penny in the world | can
call my own, There II nothing TO
prove. except your word, that | am
Stanley Hargreave's daughter"
mo, there Is nothing TO prove
that you are his daughter. But
hasn't II ever occurred TO you that
there might be purpose back of
this7 Might Il not be OF inestima-
BILE value that your fathers enemies
should be left In doubt7 Might II
not be n means OF holding them on
the ieash7 There is proof. ample
proof, my child: and when the time
comes these will be shown you. But
meantime put all thought OF marry
ing Mr. Norton out of your head"
THAT refuse to do" quietly. 81
am at least mistress of my heart:
and no one shall dictate to me
whom shall or shall not marry.
love Mr.. Norton and he loves me.
knowing that | may not be an
heiress after all. And some day
shall marry him"
Jones bowed. This seemed to ap-
pear final to him. and nothing more
was to be said.
Il have right to be happy" she
added, In defense of her attitude.
'No one denies that. Are we
not all of us striving that In the
end you may be happy? Have we
any other thought?"
I'VE are quite willing TO wait
TIL the snarl is untangled."
II am sorry that this has hap
penod. | do not consider II quite
honorable OF Mr.. Norton, when he
knows how really helpless you are.
But OF course | have no authority.
can only warn YOU He bowed
and walked toward the kitchens.
Florence flouted her head and re-
Joined Susan and forgot to tele-
phone Norton. Had she done SO
she would have saved many a
heartache. At any rate. she had
unburdoned her conscience and she
must tell Jim that the secret was
out. When. eventually, she did call