The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-27

OF Information! so Florence Hargrcave was
going to have new father in day or so?
There were some clever rosues among this
band Of theirs: bat their eIereraess was well
offset by m equal number of fools
Yes, there were some clever rogues, and to
prove this assertion Braine secured taxicab
and drove furiously away, his destination the
home of his ancient enemy. lie dropped the
cab block or two away and presently slowed
himself away in the summer house at the left
of the lawn 1t would Lave been a capital
idea--that is, If the other man had not thought
a public pay station telephone; and Brainc
waited in vain waited till the lights in the
IIargreaye house went out one hy one and it
became wrapped in darkness within and
moonshine without.
Braine was a philosopher. He returned to
his waiting taxicab, drove home, paid the bill.
smiling grimly, and went to bed. 1t was going
to be wonderful game Of blind mans buff,
Parof blunder into pit.
The next afternoon florence and Norton sat
In the summer house talking Of the future.
Lovers are prone to talk of that. As if any
thing else in the world ever equals the present,
They talked Of nice little apartments and vaca
tons in the summer and how much they would
save out of his salary, and thousand and one
other things which would not interest you at
all il recounted them in detail. But they
did love each other. and they were going to be
married: you may be certain Of that They
dill not care snap of the finger what Jones
thought. They were going to be married, and
that was an there was to it. OF course, Flor
ence couklnt touch a penny Of her fathers
money. II he. Norton. couldn't take care of
her without help, why, he wouldn't be worth
the powder to blow him up with
But, my dear, you must be very careful"
b. said Jones and / will always be about
somewhere. II they really get hold OF you
once. God alone knows what win happen. IL
is not you, it h your poo- father they want to
bring out into the open. IF they knew where
he was they would not bother you in the least"
Have I really = father7 Sometimes
doubt Why couldn't he steal into the house
and BEE me, just onceT
Perhaps he dares not This house is al
ways watched, night and Jag though You'll
look In vain to discover any one. Your father
knows best what he is doing, my dear girl.
You see, met him years ago in China: and
when be started out to do certain thing he
generally did it. He never botched any OF his
plans. So We all must wait Only I'm going
to marry you all the same, whether he likes it
or not The rogues will try to impose upon
You again; hut do not pay any attention to
notes or personals in the papers. You've been
through enough. And it was lucky thing
that l was on that frcishter that picked you
up 1t sea. I shall always wonder how that
yacht took fire."
So shall l." replied Florence. her brows
drawing together in puxzlement Sometimes
think mu& have done it. You know, peo-
pie out Of tAsir heads do strange things.
seem to 80 nyseR A. in a dream. And this
man Braine is . scoundrel!''
Yes: and nose than that, he is the dear
friend Of IL csnntess. But understand, you
must never ~ ~ dream or suspect that you
know. BY 1nlling her into overconfdence some
day she win naturally grow careless, ani then
WIN have dam M. think understand
what your fatheTb idea is not to have them
arrested for blackrnail. but practically 70 ex-
terminate them. put them In prison for such
terms Of yea1 that they'll die therA When
yoa - snaks. . poisonous one. dun't 1t It
GET away. kin it. Wen. l must Be oR 70
work"
And ycu b careful, too. You are II more