The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-20

What is it,"
1--WE read the story in the newspa-
per-" said the elder woman, her own
eyes filling with tears. "The poor
child! To have all her castles-in-air
tumble down like this! But what au-
thority have you to engage me?" SEN
sibly.
Jones produced a document. duly
signed by Hargreave and witnessed
and sealed by notary, in which 1t
was set forth that Henry Jones. but
Ter and valet to Stanley Hargreave,
had full powers of attorney in the
event of his (Hargreave's) disappear
ance; in the event of his death, till
Florence became Of legal age.
Said Jones as he put the document
back in his pocket: what is your
name?"
Susan Wane."
do you love this child"
with all my heart, the poor I'M
happy babel"
Thank you!"
Inside the home he conducted them
through the various rooms, at the
same time telling them what had ia
ken place during the preceding night.
"They have not found his body?"
asked Florence. my poor, poor faith
err"
mo"
Then he may be alive!"
please God that he may!" said the
butler, with genuine piety, for he had
loved the man who had gone forth in
to the night so bravely and so strange
ly. "This is your room. Your father
spent many happy hours here prepar-
ing 1t for you"
Tears came into the girls eyes
again, and discreetly Jones left the
two alone.
what shall do, Susan? Whatever
shall do?"
BE brave as you always are.
will never leave you till you find your
father"
Florence kissed her fervently.
What is your opinion of the butler?"
81 think we may both trust him alb
solutely."
Then Florence began exploring the
house. Susan followed her closely
Florence peered behind the mirrors,
the pictures, in the drawers OF the
desk, in the bookcases.
What are you hunting for, child?"
"A photograph of father" But she
found none. More, there we're no pho
tographs Of any kind to be found in
Stanley Hargreave's home.
When Norton awoke, he naturally
went to the door for the morning pa
pers which were always placed in a
neat pile before the sill. He yawned,
gathered up the bundle, was about to
climb back into bed, when a head
line caught his dull eyes. Twenty-one
minutes later, to be precise, he ran
up the steps of the Hargreave home
and rang the bell. He was admitted
by the taciturn Jones, to whom the
reporter had never paid any particu-
lar attention. Somehow Jones always
managed to stand in shadows.
Il can add nothing to what has al
ready appeared in the newspapers"
replied Jones, as Norton opened his
batteries OF inquiries
"Mr. Jones, have known your mas
ter several years, as you will recollect
There never was woman In this
house. not even among the servants.
There are two in the other room.
Who are they? And what are they
doing here?"
Jones shook his head.
WELL | can easily find out"
Jones barred his path, and for the
first time Norton gazed into the eyes
of the man servant. They we're as
hard as gun metal.
MY dear Mr. Jones, you ought to
know that sooner or later we report
ers find out what we seek"
Jones appeared to reflect. "Mr. Nor
ton, you claim to be friend of Mr.
Hargreave?"
81 do not claim. | am. More than
that do not believe he is dead. He
was deep. He had some relentless en-
emies-I don't know where from or
what kind-and he is pretending he's
dead till this blows over and is for
gotten"
You are not going to say that in
your newspaper" Jones was visibly
agitated.
Not If l can prove It,"
"If | tell you who those young la
dies are will you give me your word
of honor not to write about them till
give my permission"
Norton. having in mind the big
story at the end of this mystery tan
gle, agreed.
1.-THE elder is a teacher from a pri-
vate school; the other is Stanley Har-
greaves daughter"
Good Lord" gasped the astonished
reporter. "He never mentioned the
fact to me-" and we've been together
in some tight places"
''He never mentioned 1t to any one
but me-" Jones again seemed to re-
feet. At last he raised his glance to
the reporter. Are you willing to wait