The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-12-04
prepare to pay up! When will you see

Tomorrow night there will be
masquerade at the Milligans," renued
Pedro. "She is to be there"
Then tell her" Hill began
But Pedro stopped him, for ever
moment was bringing them nearer tc
the city, and he had not yet finished.
Il WILL" said he. "But listen now
to my own part of the story. You peo
pie know nothing about me. Well,
am-but no, shall not say that until
I have to. But this I must tell you.
By some strange circumstance, the
character Of which / have not yet
solved, my mother is in New York in
company with Rowe. whose real name
Is Ricardo Valdez. an ex-minister OF
the Venezuela government. He is az
much villain as my dear mother, my
lovely girl-mother. is an angel! Until
few days ago imagined her safe in
her own home, and now discover her
here. and with that man! Some rea.
son that seems good to her must have
brought her, but what it is, I cannot
even guess. But this / know-what-
eve$ Of evil Valdez Is engaged in, she
IL isxaccent, and to you must confide
hss interests. and beg that you allow
no hMym to touch her."
"aa& why don't you look after her
ydNssss1?" gasped Hill In amazement.
II eannot!" cried Pedro, his eyes
fun Of distress. "You see, I ran away
oh. long, long ago, because she
would have forced me to-oh! 1 can
not explain! But If she once saw me,
she might betray me to that Valdez
gang-for my own good, as she thinks
and then would have to go of to
far country, and take up job loathe
that would kill me, that would stop
my being a painter! And even for my
mother, could not submit to that"
"But how the devil can she make
you go against your will?" demanded
Sam. "And why did you leave her in
the first place? It's all very mysteri-
ous!"
yes, know it sounds strange" re-
piled Pedro. "but 1 can only explain a
little. You might take her side. In
deed, almost every one does, except
Old Nita. They seem to think that to
be rich and powerful Oh, they
do not understand. They have given
me too much freedom for their pur-
pose, and now they cannot tie me
down. :. As for having left her,
it was really she who left me. had
a little escapade-very harmless mis-
chief it really was-but afterward Val
dez told me that my mother would not
receive me any longer. I gave him a
relent, but she never answered it, nor
my others. Were it not for my love
of her, 1t would be relief to have
severed my connection with my past,
because of the different life would
lead should l go back, and now that l
have begun to paint, to lead my own
life. -. But, please. beg Of you,
as have served you. promise to pro-
tect her, and ask me no more. Some
day may be able to tell you every
thing, but not now."
'rvery WELL" assented Hill reluctant
ly. But 1 may call upon you to get
her out of difficulty if it should prove
absolutely necessary to do so?"
YES" returned Pedro. "But remem-
Der that for me to take any active
part in the matter would have terribly
serious results for me. Now tell me
about Mr. Vanderpool."
Il don't know much to tell" replied
Hill. "He recognized me. allowed him
self to be persuaded that 1 should be
locked up till this damned boat had
reached its port, whatever it was, and
grye orders that was not to be hurt
Then he went off before could get
word in edgewise, and l haven't seen
him since"
The ferryDoat had reached its slip,
and they aroused their sleeping COM
panions.
will you go to the studio?" Pedro
asked when they had landed.
Hill considered for moment.
mo-" he said, 'T shall go back to
Jones street with Beau-Jean and the
bear. I'm going to get at the bottom
Of this business before tomorrow-that
Is, today-is over. have not yet de-
cided on a plan of action, but in all
probability, 1 shall be better able to
work from the stratum Of the tene-
ments than as myself In the mean
time, thanks, and good night, and God
bless you for \this!" He tapped the
breast pocket wherein lay the promis.
sorry note signed by Iris.
CTO BE CONTINUED)