The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1914-12-02
CHAPTER XIX.
A Blank Sheet of Paper.

Florence was a fortnight In recOV
ering from the shock of her expert
ence at the masked ball of the Prin
cess Parlova, who, by the way, disap
peared from New York shortly after
the fire, no doubt because of her feaI
of the Black Hundred. The fire did
not destroy the house, but most OF
the furnishings were, so thoroughly
drenched by water that they were
practically ruined. Her coming and
going were a nine days wonder, and
then the public found something else
to talk about.
Norton was a constant visitor at the
Hargreave place. There was to him a
new interest in that mysterious house,
with its hidden panels, its false floors,
its secret tunnels; but he treated
Jones upon the same basis as hitherto.
One thing, however: He felt a sense
Of security in regard to Florence such
as he had not felt before. So. between
assignments, he ran out to Riverdale
and did what he could to amuse his
sweetheart. Later, they took short
rides in the runabout, and at length
she became as lively as she had ever
been.
But often she would catch Norton
brooding.
What makes you frown like that?''
WAS 1 frowning?" innocently
enough.
Il find you this way a dozen times
in an afternoon. What is the matter?
Are they after>you again?"
Heavens, mol I'm only vague is
sue They will not bother me so long
as 1 do not bother them. 1t has
dwindled into a game of truce"
do you think SOP" eying him curl
ously.
why, yes"
Whats the use of trying to fool
me. Jim? If they haven't been after
you, you are sensing presage of evil.
I'm not a child any longer. Haven't
1 been through enough to make me
woman? Sometimes 1 feel very old"
ITO me you are the most charming
in all this wide world. No, you're not
a child any longer. You are a woman,
brave and patient; and 1 know that l
could trust you with any secret have
or own. But sometimes person may
have a secret which is not his and
which he hasn't any right to dis
close"
She became silent for awhile. 81
hate money" she said. Il hate it,
hate it,"
TITS mighty comfortable to have 1t
around sometimes" he countered.
GAS in my case. for instance. If I
were poor and had to work no one
would bother me-"
Il would" he declared, laughing.
into town for tea at the Rose Garden;
and if you feel strong enough well
trip the light fantastic"
They had been gone from the house
less than an hour when a man ran
up the steps of the veranda and rang
the bell. Jones being busy at the rear
of the house, the maid came to the
door.
els Miss Hargreave in?" the stran-
ger asked.
mo-" abruptly. The door began to
close ever so slowly.
do you know where 1 can find
herr"
The maid eyed him with covert keen
ness; then, remembering that the re-
porter was with Florence, said: Il
believe she is at the Rose Garden this
afternoon"
THAT is in town."
Eyes"
Thanks" The man turned abruptly
ra- d0rur cfopc
The maid ran back to Jones.
"Why didn't you call me?" he de-
manded impatiently.
There wasn't time"
did you tell him where she WASP"
Yes. But shouldn't have told him
If Mr.. Norton had not been with Miss
Florence"
Jones ran to the front, dashed out,
eyed the back of the man fastening
down the street, smiled, and returned
to his work, OF, rather, to the maid.
He took her by the shoulder, whirled
her about, and shot look into her
eyes that quailed her.
Always call me hereafter, no mat
ter what I'm doing. That man has
never laid eyes on Florence and has
no idea what she looks like. Why did
you drug my coffee the night of that
ball?"
She stepped back.
"ADd how much did they pay you
for letting that doctor send Florence
to Atlantic City? l know everything.
Hereafter, walk straight. If you play
another trick I'll kill you with these
two hands. And listen and tell this
to your confederates: / always know
every move they make; that is why no
one is missing from this house. There
is traitor. Let them find him if they
can VIII you walk straight, or will
you 1eave?"
II viii walk straight" she fall
tered. "The money was too big
did they give it to your"
Eyes. And more to stay here. But
this is the first bit of dishonest work
ever did"
We'll, remember what l have said.
Another misstep and I'll make an end
to you. Don't think I'm trying to
scare you. You've witnessed enough
to know that it's life and death in
this house Now run along"
At the czrden Jim and Florence
sauntered among the crowd. not hav-
TO BE CONTINUED