The Clio messenger., 1914-12-18

the Deslnnlng OF q new snowstorm was
filling the air with white petals.
"And why, in the name of the gra-
cious Madonna, we're you locked upT'
inquired Pedro. II cannot understand
it."
There Is some mysterious illegal
business afoot among that crowd" said
Hill thoughtfully. They have got that
boat chock full of ammunition and
arms. and all under cover of being
pianos, and such stuff It's against the
law, you know. They sail the day aft
er tomorrow, at dawn. and as had ac-
cidentally stumbled upon their tricks,
they decided to keep me safe until
they got away. I've no doubt they
would have let me go liter that, with
out any fuss, but 1t was beastly un-
pleasant being locked up that way"
You must give the information to
the authorities" said Pedro.
Sam seemed to be In some doubt
about this, but at last he decided that
an explanation was due to these good
friends who had risked so much for
him.
"You see," he began, there is some
body-that is to say, somebody's near
relation-mixed up in this, and +
well, damn it all! I can't very well
give him away!"
Instantly a thousand conjectures
sprang to Pedro's mind.
rs it's it Iris father?" he said
hesitatingly.
| Hill stared at him in amazement, a
doughnut arrested halfway to his
mouth.
Great Scott How did you know?"
he exclaimed.
"Because-well. I'll tell you later.
come and look for you," he answered.
You'll excuse u.s." he added to Love
Joy, but it's q private affair, about a
lady"
Il will indeed" responded the fat
man, "ah! ladies, ladies!"
1--WE must talk this over at once!"
exclaimed Hill, glancing at the clock,
which showed that the hour was al.
most a. m. Come, let US go!"
The three arose, and with many ex.
pressions of gratitude to their host,
took their departure, and were soon
settled upon the dingy benches of the
north-bound ferry. They were almost
the only passengers on board, and
lulled by the warmth of the cabin
Beau-Jean fell asleep, using Mr.. Jones
for a pillow, and the bear, also glad OF
the rest, followed suit Here, then, was
an excellent opportunity for talk, and
the other two Immediately proceeded
to take advantage Of 1t.
Pedro spoke first, and related the
story Of his acquaintance with Iris and
her request for his help in the matter
Of her fathers secret trouble. From
this narrative he omitted nothing ex
cept her infatuation for himself, and
at the end, came to the little paper on
which she had written her promise
At this point Pedro began to mix fic
tion and fact.
II could not undertake to help her,
he said, because / soon discovered
that some one dear to me would be in
volved. and would in turn involve me
but, more of that later. then sug
gested that you be called upon, but she
was unwilling-you have had little
quarrel. eh?"
The speaker watched Hills eager
face closely, to note the effect of this
remark. The result was confirmatory
to his own deductions.
"Yes," said the elder man, "it was G
silly quarrel about nothing"
"Aha!" said Pedro, $50 felt sure
But she-ah! she thought you would
not come to her aid. knew different
ly, and so told her. Then she wrote
this little paper Che spread 1t out upon
his knee) and set out to find you and
give 1t to you"
Hill took the fiuttering bit Of white
and read. with glad incredulous eyes
hereby promise to marry you on the
day you can tell me my father Is not be
Ing subjected to danger, or has beer
rescued from that,.i any, which now i'm
perils him. And I furthermore agree tc
overcome any debatable objections yor
may have to the marriage.
IRIS VANDERPooL.
For mel" said Hill tensely. "She
sent 1t to mel"
There was an instants pause, ant
then Pedro lied manfully.
'Yes!" said he.
Hill let out such q whoop at this
that Beau-Jean and Mr.. Jones woke uy
long enough to shift their positions.
Tell her that l shall claim the re
ward within the week!" Hill ex
claimed exultingly; so che had better
prepare to pay up! When will you see
herY
Tomorrow night there will be 9
masquerade at the Milligans," replied
Pedro. "She is to be there"
Then tell her" Hill began.
But Pedro stopped him, for every
moment was bringing them nearer Il
the city. and he had not yet finished.
Il WILL" said he. But listen nov
to my own part Of the story. You peo
pie know nothing about me. Well,
am-but no, l shall not say that unit
have to. But this I must tell you