The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-08-13
By
Harold
MdCCrdth

sagely.
"It is nothing serious. Just fancy.
/ shall never marry again. Men are
gay dcceivers; they always have been
and always will be. Perhaps I'm bit
wicked; but / rather like to prove my
theory that all men are weak. II |
had a daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than young
mans drudge. / dixrlrst every man
know. came to ask you and Susan
to 20 TO the opera with me tonight.
You will come to my apartments first
You will Gomez"
ITO be sure We Will"
Simple little fool" thought the
Russian on the way home. "She shall
see"
81 believe the countess is engaged to
be married" said Florence to Jones.
Indeed, misss"
"Yes, l couldn't get anything defin-
tie out of her. but she had beautiful
] ring on her finger. She wants Susan
and me TO 60 to the opera with her
tonight. VIII that be all right?"
Jones gazed abstractedly at the rug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to find the solution in the
dChtdtC PhttcIus VI Tue
Finally he nodded 81 see no reason
why you should not go. Only. watch
out /"
Jones. there is one thing that will
make me brave and happy. Will you
tell me II you are m direct communica-
ton with my father"
"Yes. Miss Florence" he answered
promptly. "But do not breathe this to
a single soul. neither Susan nor Nor
ton"
| Il promise that. But. ah! hasten the
day when he can come to me without
fear."s
That is my wish also"
| you need not call me miss. Why
should your"
| 1T might not be wise to have any
one hear me call you thus Familiarity"
he objected gravely.
| Please yourself about that. Now I
must telephone jim"
"Jim?" the butler murmured.
He caught the word which was not
intended for his ears. But for once
Jones had been startled out of himself.
rs II wrong for me to call Mr.. Nor.
ton Jim? she asked with bit OF
banter.
ut Is not considered quite the proper
| thing, Miss Florence, to call q young
man by his first name unless you are
engaged to marry him, or grew up
with him from childhood"
We'll. supposing were engaged to
him." haughtily.
That would be a very grave affair.
What have you to prove that he may
not wish to marry you for your mon.
ey%
why. Jones, you know that I
haven't penny in the world I can call
my own! There Is nothing to prove,
except your word, that I am Stanley
Hargreave's daughter"
mo. there is nothing to prove that
you are his daughter. But hasn't Il
ever occurred TO you that there might
be a purpose back Of this? Might Il
not be OF inestimable value that your
fathers enemies should he left In
doubt? Might Il not be a means OF
holding them on the leash? There IL
proof, ample proof, my child; and
when the time comes these win be
shown you. But meantime put all
thought OF marrying Mr.. Norton out
Of your head" 81
That refuse to do" quietly. II
am at least mistress Of my heart; and
no one shall dictate to me whom I
shall or shall not marry. I 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 appear
final to him, and nothing more was to
be said.
Il have right to be happy" she
added, In defense Of her attitude.
mo one denies that. Are we not all
OF US striving that In the end you may
Thought"
I'VE are quite willing to wait till the
snarl Is untangled."
| II am sorry that this has happened
I do not consider II quite honorable
( OF Mr.. Norton, when he knows how
really helpless you are. But Of course
Y I have no authority. can only warn
you" He bowed and walked towards
the kitchens.
Florence fiouted her head and re
Joined Susan and forgot to telephone
Norton. Had she done 30 she would
have been saved many a heartache
At any rate, she had unburdened hel
conscience and she must tell jim
that the secret was out. When, even
tually, she did call him up he was moi
to be found. She left word, however
for him to call after the opera and
escort her home.
Norton did not return to his rooms
till z. He found the telephone cal
and also a note In handwriting un
familiar. He tore of the envelope
and found the contents to be from the
Countess Perigofr
Call at tonight" he read. 81
have an important news story for you
Tell no one. as cannot be involved
In the case. Cordially, Olga, Coun
tess Perigoff."
Humphl Norton twiddled the note
In his fingers and at length rolled II
into a ball and threw II into the
wastebasket. He, too, made O mis-
take: he should have kept that note.
He dressed. dined, and hurried on TO
the apartments OF the countess.
He arrived ten minutes before
Florence and Susan.
And Jones did some rapid telephon-
ing.
How long, how long!" the butler
mnrmared. How long would this
strange combat last? The strain was
terrific. He slept but little during
the nights, for his ears were always
waiting for sounds. He had cast the
chest into the sea, and II would take
J a dozen expert divers to locate n
And now, atop OF all these worries.