Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-19
g Cz7MI[UONU DOLLAR MYSTERY
m %x 5mn "----"-~-' ByHAROLD MAC GRAIH.--. m
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laughed" picking up his hat.
what horrid thing money is If hadn't
any money, nobody would bother me-"
"I would" he smiled. He wanted to kiss
her, but the eternal Jones might be watching
from the windows; and so he patted her hand
instead and walked down the graveled path to
the street.
1t was difficult work for Florence to play at
friendship. She was like her father: she dill
not bestow it on every one. She had given her
friendship to the Russian, the first real big
friendship in her life, and she had been roughly
disillusioned. But if the countess could act.
so could she; and of the two her acting was
the most consummate. She could smile and
laugh and jest all the while her heart was
burning with wrath.
One day, a week or so after her meeting
with Norton in the summer house, Olga ar
rived, beautifully gowned, handsome as ever
There was not the least touch of the adyen-
turess in her makeup. Florence had Just re-
ceived some mail, and she had dropped the let
ters on the library table to greet the countess.
She had opened them, but had not vet looked
az their contents.
They were chatting pleasantly about in
consequent things, when the maid came in and
asked Florence to come to Miss Susan's room
for moment Florence excused herself
wondering what Susan could want She for
got the mail.
As soon as she was gone the countess. GER
tain that Jones was not lurking about, picked
up the letters and calmly examined their CON
tents; and among them she found this re-
markable document: Dear daughter I have
never seen: 1 must turn the treasure over
to you. Meet me at 8 in the summer house
Tell no one as my life is in danger. Your
loving father"
The countess could have laughed aloud Sho
saw this man Paroff's hand; and here was
the chance to befool and humliate him and
send him off packing to his cold and mis-
cradle country. She had made up once as
Florence, and she could easily do SO again
The only thing that troubled her was the
fact that she did not know whether Florence
had read the letter or not Thus. she dis. cot
dare destroy it. She first thought of AG
ing the clock; then she concluded to drop tho
letter exactly where she had found it and
trust to luck.
When Florence returned she explained that
her absence had been due to some trifing
household affair.
Said the Russian: "I come primarily to
ask you to tea tomorrow, where they dance.
If you like, you may ask Mr.. Norton to GO
7 ~ Al.
rather fond of one another"
40. Mr.. Norton is just valuable friend"
returned Florence with smile that quite
deceived the other woman. al shall he glad
to 60 to the tea But shall not promise
to dance"
Not with Mr.. Norton?" archly.
Reporters never dance themselves; they
make others dance instead"
al shall have to tell that" declared tne
countess; and she laughed quite honestly.
I" Then I have said something witty?"
Indeed you have; and it is not only witty
but truthful. I'm afraid you're deeper thar
the rest of us nave any idea Of"
Perhaps I am" thought Florence; "at
least, deeper than you believe"
lmousine-Florence hated the sight of it
and drove away Florence remembered he1
letters And when sne came to the one pur.
porting to Be from her father she read il
carefully, bent her head in thought, and final
ly destroyed the missive, absolutely confident
that 1t was onlyfa trap, and not very we'll
conceived at that Norton had given her
plenty of reasons for believing all sucn let
ters to be forgeries. Her father, if he really
wished to see her, would enter the house; he
would not write. All, when would she see
tnat father Of hers, so mysterious, always
lowering near. always unseen?
1t must have been an amusing adventure
for the countess. To steal into the summer
house and wait there, not knowing If Flo
renee had advised Jones or the reporter If
caught, she had her excuses. Paroff. the
confident however, appeared shortly after
My child!" whispered the man.
And Olga stihed a laugh; but to him It
sounded like sob.
ct am worn out" he said, "I am tired
of, the game of hide and seek"
"You will not have to play the game long"
thought Olga.
The money Is hidden In my Office down
town. And we must go there at once. When
we return we will pack up and leave iSor
Europe. I've longed to see you sol"
"You poor fool And they sent you n
supersede Leol" sne mused.
She played out the farce to the very END.
She permitted herself to be pinioned and
logged; and for what unnecessary roughness
she suffered at the hands of Paroff he would
presently pay. He took her straight to the
executive chamber of the Black Hundred and
pushed her into the room. exclaiming tri-
umphantly;