Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-08-15

lie was not really afraid of death, but he
did abhor the thought Of is coming mp
from behind. Except for the cigarets they
were all "accidents = he could not have
proved anything before a jury of his in
innate friends.
lie never catered an elevator without
s~crupulous care. lie never passed under
coverings over the sidewalks where con-
was going ON. Still, careful as
he was, death confronted him once more.
Ii was his habit 10 have his coffee and rolls
he rarely ate anything more for hi
breakfast-set down outside his door every
morning. The coffee, being in a silver
thermos bottle, kept its heat for hours.
When he took the stopper ont and poured
forth a cup il looked oddly black, discolor-
Ii j. quite probable that had there
been no series of "accidents" he would
have drunk "A cup-and died IN mortal
agony. II contained bichloride Of mer-
curry.
Very quietly he set about to make in
This was really becoming serious.
In the kitchen downstairs nothing could be
The maid had set the thermos
bottle before the door at 10 80. Norton
had opened the door at l :3O-three hours
The outlook was not the cheer
fullest. He knew perfectly well why all
these things happened i he had interfered
with the plans Of the scrounjrels who were
every possible moe to kidnap
Florence Hargreavc.
One afternoon he paid Florence a visit.
OF course he told her nothing. They had
secretly engaged the day after be
had rescued her from the auto bandits.
They were secretly engaged because Flor
ence wanted il 20. For once Jones sus-
pccted nothing. Why should hes He had
troubles enough. A a matter Of fact, Nor
ton was afraid of Jones. lie was afraid
Of hin in the same sense as a boy IS afraid
Of a policeman.
But on this day, when the time came, he
the butler and drew him into the
"Jones, they are after me now
"Yons Explain"
Norton briefly rccounteC the deliberate
attempts against his life.
"You see, I'm not liar enough to say that
I'm not worried. | am, devilishly worried.
not worth any ransom. lin in the way,
and they seem determined 90 put me out Of
ITO any other man | would say travel.
to You | say when You leave your
rooms don't 20 where YOU first thought YOU
would. That l., some usual haunt. THEY'LL
be- everywhere, near your restaurants, vour
clubs, your Office. You're a m~ethodiral
Young man; become %crratic. Keep away
here al least three drss. but always
call me up BY telephone some time during
The day. Never under any circumstance.
unless ] send for you, come here nj night.
Only one man now watches the house dur
inc the day. but five are prowling around
after dark. They might have instructions,
to shoot YOU on sight. | v-n't spare YOU
lust at present, Mr.. Norton. You've been
a g%odsend; and II it seems that sometimes
did not trust you fully ii vas because |
dad not care TO drag you in too Deep
Deep! Norton thought of Florence and
smiled nwardly. Could anybody be in
than he waSg Once il was ON the
M "a his tongue to confess his love for
Florence, but the gravity Of Jones coun-
'enance was am obstacle tc such move: II
lid not invite it.
To be sure, Jones had no real authority
y Say what Florence should or should not
~ with her heart. Still, from all points Of
II was better to keep the affair under
ne rose tall there came a more propitious
lour m which to make the disclosure.
Love. m the midst of ali these alarmsl
sharp, desperate rpgncs on n side. mil
ions on the other, and yet love could enter
scene serencly. like an .ctor who had
Missed his cue and came ON zoo soon
Oddly enough, there was no real love
making such n Won often read about. A
PRESSURE of the hand. a g;a nee from the
there was seldom ever more. Only
'nce-that memorable day on the river
he kissed her. No one word az
pVe had been spoken on either side. In
Wild moment all conve.:t ionalities had
disappeared like smoke in the wind. There
al been neither past nor future, only the
resent ~ which they knew that they loved.
WITH her he was happy. toi Ne had M time
. plan over the future. AWAY from her
q saw The inevitable barriers providing
Sain>i the marriage between a poor Young
lan and q very rich Young woman. A man
no ha> any respect wants always 10 NJ
q equal terms with hi wife. financially
lore than IN any other thing. It's the WAY
~ peculiar organization called Society
a. written down it, ruIc~. Doubtless 4
nlir q the stone aye, when Alb went out
nth his club to seek a wife and drag ner
y the hair to his den and there to care