The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-16


wish to throw her arms about the re
porter's neck and kiss him.
CHAPTER lN.
The Safe In the Lonely Warehouse
The princess did not remain Ion,
after the departure Of the police witt
the bogus detectives. It had been
very difficult corner to wriggle out Of
all because Braine had added to HI
plans after she had left the apart
ment. But for the advent Of the med
ding reporter tho coup would have
succeeded, herself apparently perfect
" innocent Of completely. That mus
be the keynote Of all her plans: to az
pear quite innocent and leave no trai
behind her. She had gained the con
hdence Of Florence and her compar
lon. And she was rather certain tha
she had impressed this lazy-eyed re
porter and the stolid butler. She ha'
told nothing but the truth regarding
her relationship. They would find tha
out. She was Katrina Pushkin's cousin
But blood with her counted as naught
She had room In her heart but for tw
things, Braine and money to spend O
her caprices.
How long has your highness know
Mr.. Braine~ asked the reporter idly
as he smoothed away all signs Of hf
recent conflict
20, the better part OF year. N,
Hargreave did not recognize me- tn
other night. That vas quite e1cus
able, for when be last saw me wa
not more than twelve. My child" sh
said to Florence, build no hopes II
garding your mother. She Is doub'
less dead. Upon some trivial matte
/ do not know what It was-she wa
confined to the fortress. That wa
seventeen years ago. When you ente
the fortress at St Petersburg, 20
cease to be"
"That is true enough"
Il did not recall myself TO your q
ther. I did not care at that momen
to shock him with the remembrance
the past. Is not M. Braine n
narkable mani" All this in her charn
ing broken English
"He Is. indeed" affirmed Morton
Hes a superb hnguist, knows every
body and has travelled everywhere
No matter what subject you bring u
he seems well informed"
"Come often" urged Florence
"J shall, my child. And any tim
you need me, call for me. After all,
! an nearly your aunt You Will I'm
life In the city far different from tha
which you have been accustomed to.
She limped down to her limousine
In tripping up Norton he had steppe
upon her foot heavily.
"She is lovely!" cried Florence
well, must be on my way, also,
said Norton. II am a worldly-wis
man, Miss Florence. So Is Jones here
Never 90 any place without lett1n
him know; not even to the corne
drug store. I am going to find you
father. Some one was rescued. IN
going to find out whether It was tn
aviator or Nj. Hargreave"
Jones drew In q deep breath and nj
eyes closed for g moment. At tn
door he spoke to the reporter.
what do you think Of that Won
am"
II believe that she told the truth
She is charming"
"She is. But for ell her charm an'
truth I cannot help distrusting her.
have an idea I shall call up your OF
fee at the end Of each day. II da!
comes without call. you will know
that something Is wrong"
"A very good idea" Norton shool
hands with everyone aad departed.
what a brave, pleasant youn,
mani" murmured Susan.
Il Ike him, too; and ia Hike hin
for q friend" said the gutleless girl
1T Is very good to have frien'
like Mr. Norton" added Jones; ant
passed out into the kitchen. All tn
help had been discharged and upoI
his shoulders lay the burden Of thu
cooking till such time when he coult
reinstate the cook.
There was q stormy scene betweeI
Braine and the princess that night.
Are you in your dotage" she asket
vehemently.
There, there; bring your voice
down a bit. Where's the girl?'
In her home. Where did you sup
pose she would be, after that botch
work of letting me 80 to do one thing
while you had in mind another? Ant
an ordinary pair Of cutthroats, al
that"
"The thought came to me- after yor
left. knew you'd recognize the mel
and understand. I see no reason why
1t didn't work"
It would have been all right II yos
had consulted q clsirvoyant"
What the deuce do You mean es
eAat?" Braine demanded roughly.
It mean that then you would have
learned your friend the reporter wa
to arrive upon the scene at its most
vital moment"
What, Norton9"
"Yes. The trouble Is With 700. ~
CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE.