The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-23


tain the money. "Good-by and many
thanks"
Don't mention it."
Norton left the slip and proceeded to
the Office Of the warehouse. He ap'
| preached the managers desk.
Hello, Grannis, old top"
The man looked up from his work
surlily. Then his face frightened.
Morton? What's brought you here7
o, yes: that balloon business. Sit
down"
What kind of man is the captain
OF that old hooker in the snp?'
"Shifty in gun running, but other
wise as square as a die. Looks funny
to see an old tub like that fixed up
with wireless; but that has saved his
neck dozen times when he was run
ming it into moose. Not going to in
terview me, are your"
mo. I'm going to ask you to do me
little favor"
They always say that. But spin
her out. If it doesn't cost me my job.
it's yours"
"Well, there will be a person max
| Ing inquiries about the mysterious
aeronant- All I want you to say is,
that he left packet with you, that
you've put It in that safe till he calls
to claim it."
Grannis nibbled the end Of his pen.
Suppose some one should come and
demand that open the safe and de-
hver%
IAN you've got to do is to tell them
to show the receipt signed by you"
The warehouse manager laughed.
''Got lot Of sense in that ivory dome
Of yours. All right. But II anything
happens you've got to come around
| and back me up. What's 1t about?"
"That I dare not tell you. This
| much, I'm laying q trap and I waat
some one don't know to fall into It. !"
"On your way, James. But If you
don't send me some prize fight tickets
next week for this, I'll never do you
another favor"
In reply Norton took from his pocket
two bits Of pasteboard and laid then
| On the desk. II knew you'd be want
ing something like this"
"Ringside!" cried Grannis. "You re-
porters are lucky deyils!"
'I'd go myself If there was any
earthly chance Of real scrap. Xsn
make me laugh, Gran. You're alws
going, always hoping the next one VIII
be a real one. But it's all bunk. Tie
pugs are the biggest takers on top the
sod. They've got US newspaper men
done to a frazzle."
"I guess you're right. Well, count
on me regarding that mysterious
bun die In the safe"
"kt three o'clock this afternoon I
want you to call me up. II no one has
called, why the game Is up. But II
some one does come around and make
inquiries, don't fail TO let me know"
"I'll be here till five. I'd better call
you up then"
Then Norton returned home and
idled about till afternoon. He went
| over to Riverdale. Five times he
walked up and down the front Of the
Hargreave place, finally plucked up
his courage and walked to the door.
After all, he was lucky mortal. He
| had good excuse to visit this house
every day in the week. And there was
something tan.alizing in the risk he
took. Besides, he wanted to prove to
himself whether it was passing fancy
| or something deeper. That's the way
| with humans; We never see sign
Fresh Paint" that We don't have TO
prove it.
He chatted with Florence for a
while and found that for all she might
be guileless to the world. she was
good hnguist. a fine musician, aud
talked with remarkable keenness
about books and arts. But unless he
reused her, the sadness Of her position
always laNwritten in her face. Itwas
not difficult for him to conjure up her
dreams in coming to the city and the
blow which, like bolt Of lightning
from clear sky, had shattered them
ruthlessly.
You must come every day and tell
me how you have progressed" she
said.
-I1l obey that order gladly. when
ever can possibly do It My visits
will always be short"
THAT is not necessary"
NO. said Norton In his heart, bat
IL is WISE
Always he found Jones waiting Tor
him at the door, always In the shadow.
"Weil?" the butler whispered.
81 have laid q neat trap. Whether
this balloon wes the one that left the
top OF this house don't know. But II
there were two men In 1t, one Of them
, hes at the bottom Of the sea-"
"And the man found?" The butleTs
voice was tense.
1T was not Hargreave. ! met Orts
but once, and as he wore beard then.
the captains description did not tally
with your recollection"
Thank God! But what Is this trap~
Il propose to find out by 1t who ts
back OF all this, who Hargreave's READ
enemies are"
Norton returned to his rooms. there
20 await the call from Grannis. He,
was sorry. but il Jones would not take
him into his fullest confidence, hs
| must hold himself to blame for a&S
btunder he (Norton) made. OF course;
he could readily understand Jones'
angle Of vision. He knew nothing Of
the general run Of reporters; he bad
heard Of them by rumor and distrusted
them. He was not aware Of the fact
that the average reporter carries more
secrets In his head than prime min
tsteY. It was, then, up to him to set