The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1914-12-04

and always will be. Perhaps I'm bit
wicked; but I rather like to prove my
theory that all men are weak. If l
had a daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than a young
mans drudge. / distrust every man 1
know. came to ask you and Susan
to go to the opera with me tonight
You viii come to my apartments first.
You will Gomez"
ITO be sure we Will"
Simple little fool" thought the
Russian on the way home. "She shall
see."
q believe the countess is engaged
to be married." said Florence to
Jones.
Indeed, miss?"
yes couldn't get anything def
mite out of her, but she had a beauti-
full ring on her finger She wants
Susan and me to go to the opera with
her tonight. VIII that be all right?"
Jones gazed abstractedly at the rug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to find the solution in the deli
cate patterns of the Persian rugs. FL
nally he nodded. Il see no reason
why you should not go. Only, watch
out"
Zones, there is one thing that will
make me brave and happy. WIN you
tell me If you are in direct commu'
nication with my father?'
yes, Miss Florence" he answered
promptly. "But do not breathe this
to a single soul, neither Susan nor
Norton"
Il promise that But, ahl hasten
the day when he can come to me
without fear"
THAT is my wish also"
you need not call me miss. Why
should your"
1T might not be wise to have any
one hear me call you thus Familiarity"
he objected gravely.
please yourself about that. Now I
must telephone jim"
! "Jim?" the butler murmured.
He caught the word which was not
Z intended for his ears. But for once
Jones had been startled out of him
self
| rs It wrong for me to call Mr.. Nor
ton Jim?" she asked with a bit of
banter.
at is not considered quite the prop
er thing, Miss Florence, to call a
young man by his first name unless
you are engaged to marry him, OF
grew up with him from childhood"
well, supposing I were engaged to
: him?" haughtily.
"That would be a very grave affair
. What have you to prove that he may
not wish to marry you for your
: money!"
why, Jones, you know that
. haven't a penny in the world 1 car
: call my ownl There is nothing II
prove, except your word, that l an
! Stanley Hargreaves daughter"
= mo, there is nothing to prove tha'
u you are his daughter But hasn't i
ever occurred to you that there nigh
: be a purpose back of this? Might 4
not be of inestimable value that you
fathers enemies should be lesa II
= doubt? Might it not be a means o
% holding them on the leash? There 4
= proof, ample proof, my child; ant
- when the time comes these will b
y shown you. But meantime put al
- thought of marrying Mr. Norton GU
. of your mind"
- That I refuse to do" quietly.
D am at least mistress of my heart
70 and no one shall dictate to me whor
~ l shall or shall not marry. love MI
Norton and he loves me, knowing tina
o may not be an heiress after all. An
70 some day shall marry him."
~ Jones bowed. This seemed to al
= pear final to him, and nothing NOR
y was to be said
- Norton did not return to his room
TIL seven. He found the telephon
u call and also a note in a handwritin
a. unfamiliar. He tore off the envelop
u and found the contents to be from tn
Is Countess Perigoff.
III Call at eight tonighU," he read.
a. have an important news story for 70,
u Tell no one, as I cannot be involve
IN the case. Cordially, Olga, Counties
Perigon."
n Humphi Norton twiddled the not
ID In his fingers and at length rolled
ne into ball and threw it into the vast
basket. He, toe, made a mistake; b
gu should have kept that note. H
dressed, dined, and hurried off to tn
apartments Of the countess.
He arrived ten minutes before Flo
en- ence and Susan.
And Jones did some rapid telephol
tn ing
40 How long, how longl" the butte
murmured- How long would tn
y. strange combat last? The strain We
ra | tarrlhIa Ia Giant hut llilIa a.,..I..