The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-12

He caught ths word which was not intendeo
for his ears. But for once Jones had ben
startled out Of himself.
sIs It wrong for me to cali Mr.. Nortoa
Jim3" shs asked with bit Of banter.
.It l. not considered quite the proper ding.
Miss Florence, to call young man BY his
first name unless you are engaged to maszA
him. or grew up with him from childhood"
well. supposing were engaged to hint"
haushtily.
That would be very grave affair. What
have you to prove that he may not wish -
marry you for your money!"
Why, Jones, you know that haven't Q
penny In the world can call my own! There
h nothing to prove. except your word. that
am Stanley Hargreave's daughter.'
No, there h nothing to prove that you are
mis- daughter. But hasn't it ever occurred to
you that there might be . purpose back Of
this7 Might it not be Of inestimable value
that your fathers enemies should be left in
doubtf Might It not be means of holding
them ON the leash There Il proof, ample
proof my child: and when the time comes
these will Be shown you. But meantime put
al thought Of marrying Mr.. Norton out Of
your head"
That 1 refuse to do" quietly. Il am at
least mistress Of my heart; and no one shall
dictate to mo whom 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 nnal
to him. and nothing more was to be said.
Norton did not return to his rooms till Z.
He found the telephone call and also q note
in handwriting unfamiliar. He tore Of the
envelope and found the contents to be from
the Countess PerigoG.
Call at 8 tonight" he read. I have IA
important news story for you. Tell no one,
~ cannot be involved in the case. Cordially,
Olga, Countess Perigof."
Humphl Norton twiddled the note in his
fingers and at length rolled 1t into . ball and
threw it into the wastebasket. He. too, made
. mistake: he should have kept that note. He
dressed, dined, and hurried OF to the apart
ments of the countess.
He arrived ton minutes before Florence and
Susan.
And Jones did some rapid telephonins.
How long, how long!" the butler muir
INJURED How long would this strange combat
lasttraThs strain was terrific. He slept but
little during the nights. for his ears were
always waiting foe sounds. He had cast the
chest into the sea, and It would take dosen
expert divers to locate it. And now, atop q
all these worries, the child must fall in love
with the first conner! 1t was heartbreakins.
Norton, 30 far as he had learned, was cool
~s.d g.
n the husband of Stanley Harsreave's daueh-
And he must devise some means of putting .
stop to It, but
But he was saved that trouble.
Mongoose and cobra. that was the game b.
ing played; the cunning Of the one against
the deadly venom of the other. II he forced
matters he would only lay himself open to the
strike of the snake. He must have patience.
Gradually they were breaking the oryanisar
ton. looping on q branch here and there, but
the peace Of the future depended upon getting
4 grip on the spine Of the cobra himself.
The trick was simple. The countess had
news; trust her for that. She exhibited .
cablegram, dated At Gibraltar. in which the
British authorities stated definitely that NO
such . person q william Orts, aviator, had
arrived at Gibraltar. And then, - he rose
she rose also and gently predpitated herself
into his arms, just at the moment Florence
appeared in the doorway.
Very simple, indeed When . woman falls
toward . man there II nothing for him to do
but extend his arms to prevent her from fall
ing. Outwardly, however. 10 H. eye which
saw only the picture and compfshsnded not
the cause, 1t had an the hallmarks Of a
ahectionate embrace.
Florence stood perfectly stin for moment.
then turned away.
I beg your pardon!" said the countssA
but sudden faintins spell seized me. Ny
heart ID BIT weak"
Don't mention it." replied the gallant Noe.
ton He was - innocent - . babe ~ to what
had really taken placs.
Florence went hack home. She wrote I
brief note to Norton and ineloosd the rina
which she had secretly worn attached to Z
little chain around her nsek.
When Norton came the next day sbe refusoa
to zee him. 1t was al over. SIZE never viehea
In aoe him a9aau