The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-11-13


Benefit of Florence.
and always will be. Perhaps I'm a bit
wicked; but rather like 10 prove my
! theory that all men are weak IL
had a daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than a young
mans drudge. l distrust every man I
: know. l came to ask you and Susan
| to go to the opera with me tonight
! You will come to my apartments first
You will Gomez"
ITO be sure we Wilt"
Simple little fool" thought the
/ Russian on the way home. she shall
see."
Il believe the countess Is engaged
to be married." said Florence 20
Jones.
Indeed, miss?"
"Yss. I couldn't got anything def
mite out of her, but she had a beauti.
full ring on her finger. She wants
Susan and me to go to the opera with
her tonight VIII that be all right"
Jones gazed abstractedly az the aug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to find the so ltion In the deli
cate patterns OF the Persian rugs. 70.
| nally he nodded. Il see no reason
why you should not go. Only. watch
out"
Jones. there is one thing that viii
make me brave and happy. WIN you
tell me II you are in direct commu-
nication with my father?"
Eyes. Miss Florence" he answered
promptly. But do not breathe this
to a single soul, neither Susan nor
Norton"
Il promise that. But, an! hasten
the day when he can come 90 me
without fear"
THAT is my wish also"
''You need not call me miss. Why
should you?"
1T might not be wise to have any
one hear me call you thus Familiarity"
he objected gravely.
Please yourself about that Now 7
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 him.
self.
is it wrong for me to call Mr. Nor
ton Jim?" she asked with a BIT Of
banter.
'"It is not considered quite the prop.
er thing. Miss Florence. 70 call a
young man by his first name unless
you are engaged TO marry him. or
grew up with him from childhood
We'll. supposing we're engaged 20
him." haughtily.
THAT would be very grave affair
What have you to prove that he may
not wish to marry you for your
/, money"
why, Jones. you know that 7
haven't a penny in the world can
call my own! There is nothing 90
prove, except your word. that ] am
! Stanley Hargreave's daughter"
mo. there is nothing 20 prove that
you are his daughter But hasn't u
ever occurred to you that there might
be purpose back OF this? Might Il
not be of inestimable value that your
fathers enemies should be lee IN
doubt? Might 1t not be a means %
holding them on the leash? There Is
proof. ample proof. my child: and
when the time comes these win be
shown you. But meantime put al
thought of marrying Mr. Norton out
of your mind"
THAT I refuse 10 do" quietly. Il
am at least mistress OF my heart;
and no one shall dictate 20 me whom
l shall or shall not marry. love Mr..
Norton and he loves me. knowing that
I may not be an heiress after all. And
some day shall marry him"
Jones bowed. This seemed 90 ap-
pear final to him. and nothing more
was to be said.
Norton did not return 20 his rooms
till seven. He found the telephone
call and also a note in a handwriting
unfamiliar. He tore of the envelope
and found the contents 20 be from the
Countess Perigof.
Call at eight tonigh. he read. Il
have an important news story for you
Tell no one, as l cannot be involved
in the case. Cordially. Olga. Countess
Perigof"
Humph! Norton twiddled the note
in his fingers and at length rolled Il
into ball and threw il into the waste
basket. He. too. made a mistake: he
should have kept that note. lie
dressed, dined. and hurried OF % the
apartments OF the countess
He arrived ten minutes before Flor.
ence and Susan.
! And Jones did some rapid telephon-
ing.
How long, how long," the butler
murmured. Eow long would this