The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1914-11-10

why do you shake your head like
that?" he asked.
Did shake my head?" Her heart
huttered wildly. Il was not conscious
Of it,"
Are you going to keep your prom
ise?"
What promise?"
Never to leave this house without
Jones or myself being with you"
Il couldn't If | wanted to- III wal
ger Jones is out there in the hall
this minute I know; it is all for
my sake. But it bothers me-"
Jones was indeed ia the hall, and
when he sensed the pctalance in her
voice his shoulders sank despondently
and he sighed doeily If silently.
At a quarter to eight Florence, being
alone for a minute. set fire to a veil
and stuffed II down the register.
Jones'" she called excitedly, 81
smell something burningi"
Jones dashed into the room, shifted,
and dashed out again. heading for the
cellar door. His FIST thought was
naturally that the devils incarnate had
set fire to the house. When he re-
turned, having. OF course, discovered
no fire. he found Florence gone. He
rushed into the hall Her hat was
missing. He made Tor the hall door
with a speed which seemed incredible
to the bewildered Susan's eyes. Out
into the street, up and down which
he looked. Far away he discovered a
dwindling taxicab. The child was
gone.
In the house Susan was answering
the telephone, talking incoherently.
who is III" Jones whispered. his
lips white and dry
"The princess. =" began Susan.
He took the receiver from her
roughly.
Hello. who is it?"
This is Olga Perigoff. Is Florence
there?"
mo. madam. She has just stepped
out for a moment. Shall l tell her
to call you when she returns?"
Yes, please. ! want her and SUI
san and Mr.. Norton to come to tea
tomorrow. Good-by"
Jones hung up the receiver, sank
into a chair near by and buried his
face in his hands.
What is it?" cried Susan. terrified
by the haggardness Of his face.
She's gonel My God, those
wretches have got herl They've got
herl"
Florence was whirled away at top
speed. Her fatherl She was actually
on the way to her father. whom she
had always loved in dreams, yet never
seen.
Number rs Grove street was not an
attractive place, but when she ar
rived she was too highly keyed to
take note of it's sordidness. She was
rather out OF breath when she reached
the door of the third fiat. She knocked
timidly. The door was instantly
opened by man who woro a black
mask. She would have turned then
and there and flown but for the swift
picture she had Of a well.dressed man
at table. He lay with his head upon
his arms.
'Fatherl" she whispered.
The man raised his careworn face,
30 very well done that only the closest
scrutiny would have betrayed the
paste Of the theater, He arose and
staggered toward her with out
stretched arms. But the moment they
closed about her Florence experienced,
peculiar shiver
MY child" murmured the broken
man. "They caught me when l was
about to come to you. have given
up the fight" A sob choked him.
What was it? wondered the child,
her heart burning with the misery Of
The thought that she was sad instead
Of glad. Over his shoulder she sent |
glance about the room. There was
sofa, a table, some chairs and an
enormous clock, the face of which was
dcnted and the hands hopelessly tan
gled Why at such a moment. she
should note such details disturbed
her. Then she CHANGED to look into
he cracked mirror. In it she saw
several faces, all masked. These men
we're peering at her through the half
closed door behind her.
you must return home and bring /
me the money" went on the wretch
who dared to perpetrate such a mock
cry. 1T is all that stands between
me and DEATH"
Then she knew! The insistent daily
warnings came home to her. She I'M
derstocd now. She had deliberately
walked into the spiders net. But in
stead Of terror an extraordinary calm;
fell upon her
Very WELL father. l will 20 and
get it," Gently she released herself
from those horrible arms.
wait. my child. till l see If they
will let you go. They may wish to
hold you as hostage"
When he was gone she tried the
doors. They we're locked. Then she
crossed over to the window and looked
out. A leap from there would kill her.
She turned her gaze toward the lamp.