The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-12-04

A Little MeIodrama Arranged for the
Benefit OF Florence.
and always will be. Perhaps I'm a bit
wicked but I rather like to prove my
theory that all men are weak. II
had daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than a young
mems drudge. I distrust every man l
know. l came to ask you and Susan
to 60 to the opera with me tonight
You will come to my apartments first.
You will Gomez"
TO be sure we will"
Simple little fool!" thought the
Russian on the way home. "She shall
see"
81 believe the countess is engaged
to be married" said Florence to
Jones.
Indeed, miss?"
Yes I 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 so to the opera with
her tonight. Will that be all right? 2"
Jones gazed abstracte6ly at the rug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to lind the SO ution in the deli
cate patterns of the Persian rugs. FL
nally he nodded. 81 see no reason
why you should not go. Only, watch
out"
Jones, there is one thing that will
make me brave and happy. Will Won
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, ali! 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
must telephone jim"
"Jim?" the butler murmured.
He caught the word which was not
intended for his ears. But for once
Jones had been startled out of him
self.
is it wrong for me to call Mr.. Nor
ton Jim?" she asked with a bit of
banter.
1t 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, or
grew up with him from childhood"
We'll, supposing 1 were engaged to
him?" haughtily.
THAT would be very grave affair.
What have you to prove that he may
not wish to marry you for your
money!"
why, Jones, you know that I
haven't a penny in the world I can
call my own! There is nothing to
prove, except your word, that am
Stanley Hargreave's daughter"
NO, there is nothing to prove that
you are his daughter. But hasn't it
ever occurred to you that there might
be purpose back of this? Might it
not be Of inestimable value that your
fathers enemies should be le"4 in
doubt? Might it not be a means of
holding them on the leash? There is
proof ample proof, my child; and
when the time comes these will be
shown you. But meantime put all
thought of marrying Mr.. Norton out
of your mind"
That I refuse to do" quietly sT
am at least mistress of my heart:
and no one shall dictate to me whom
| shall or shall not marry. l love Mr..
Norton and he loves me, knowing that
may not be an heiress after all. And
some day l shall marry him"
Jones bowed. This seemed to ap-
pear final to him, and nothing more
was to be said.
Norton did not return to his rooms
I'LL seven. He found the telephone
call and also a note in handwriting
unfamiliar. He tore off the envelope
and found the contents to be from the
Countess Perigoff.
Call at eight tonight" he read. "I
have an important news story for you.
Tell no one, as I cannot be involved
IN the case. Cordially, Olga, Countess
Perigoff."
Humph! Norton twiddled the note
IN his fingers and at length rolled it
INTO ball and threw it into the waste