The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-13


assuming that you are already sufti-
ciently my friend to permit my making
such a request of you; but remember
that l owe you a rescue and that we
have come together instantly on the
same plane without any of the usual
preamble. Perhaps Indebtedness al
ready incurred is scarcely ground
for claiming further help; but you will
Understandable, you must, for am in
great distress and trouble, and there
is no one to whom I can go with my
difficulty"
Pedro, who had been examining a
vase, turned to her with surprise. Ever
ready with sympathy, he put out his
hand with a single expressive gesture.
Madonna" he exclaimed you
know would willingly serve you. If
it is in my power to help, surely you
must know that would not hesitate" ;"
Very we'll, then," she said gravely.
''It is this: My father is a strong
man, a brave man, / am sure, and one
who is not easily daunted or disturbed.
You noticed how he acted today? Why,
he was scarcely civil to you. Such
rudeness, believe me, is far from his
customary habit, and there is only one
explanation for 1t. He must be deeply
troubled about something. and for it to
disturb him so. that thing Is very
serious matter; otherwise he would
throw it off, or, at worst, conceal 1t.
Have you no idea of what this
trouble is?" he asked.
Il have tried to get him to tell me-"
she replied, "but it has been a useless
effort. My father and are close
friends, but he persists in saying there
is nothing wrong, which simply means
that something is very wrong indeed;
so much so that he is unwilling to tell
me-
81 am sorry" said Pedro. but how
can help?"
'The case is just this!" she cried,
rising in her excitement: II have
good reason to believe that he is be-
ing either defrauded by a pack Of
scoundrels who have managed to de-
ceive him into some questionable un-
dertaking, or that he is being black.
mailed. Could you-oh, do you think
that you could in any way find out If
he is being deceived, imposed upon,
and help him, or at least set my dis
turbed mind at rest?"
1T is curious request" said Pedro
slowly. Il to help your father! Why,
he is a great mana wonderfully sue
cessful person. Surely you cannot
really believe could serve him!"
You do not yet understand" she
urged. "He is strong and capable, but
he is almost ridiculously sensitive on
lines which touch his honor, and is
quite susceptible to being worked and
tormented by INSCRIPTIONS people.
And I have some real proof that this
is happening, although cannot actual
ly show it to you at this moment Do
you remember my saying that l car
ried papers of value the day you res
cued me with your bear? Well, the
sight of them excited my father great
ly, and ever since, he has been receiv-
ing letters which have nothing to do
with his regular business or his social
correspondence. I know 1t for a fact,
because I stumbled upon them acci-
dentally, in a secret drawer Of his
desk. They are in a foreign language
Spanish, think-and he keeps them
all with great secrecy. Oh, am sure
he is being harried by some mysteri-
GUS people. Why, that note he received
at luncheon was directed in that same
fine foreign handwriting in which the
others are written. Now won't you
help me? Don't you see that it is an
exquisitely delicate matter with which
J. cannot go to every one?"
Have you no relations whom this
would concern?" he asked.
NO" said she, I'VE have only some
distant cousins whom we seldom see
and who would not do at ALL"
Then" said Pedro, Il will help you.
1t Is a position of questionable honor,
almost, which you require for this
spying and l cannot go about it delib-
erately. Yet, IL you sometime can give
me definite task in the matter, will
make sure to perform it; or should
chance throw me any information, l
shall not fail to use it and follow it
up, and l shall be on the watchout for
any such. Still, it is not likely that
such thing will cross my path"
Thank you!" she exclaimed in real
gratitude. ut is a relief to know that
may call upon you if necessary. Then
the matter can rest between us two
There is nothing at present that / can
ask you to do, but If a clue should
arise I shall let you know"
And l will respond Immediately"
said he, arising to take his departure.
Il have friends-ay, good friends
who are more likely to hear rumors of
plotting than [. They probably know
most of the sub rosa doings of the
town by now, or else they have failed
in their habit of other cities! But even
SO, am afraid that there's not very
great chance OF their stumbling upon
the particular information we need
And now, Madonna, must leave. Will
you pose for me? / want to paint the
beautiful line which runs from your
chin downward. like the edge of the
young moon"
"Pose!" she gasped, astonished at
this new turn Of affairs. Then delight
at the prospect flooded her heart and
su1fused her cheeks with a delicate
color. Pose for you! Indeed, yes
When"
Tomorrow.
"At any time"
AT nine, if that is not too early"
Il shall be there" she hreathed.
When he had gone she descended
cautiously to the library, and finding
it vacant, made the door fast Then,
springing the secret catch i'll the desk,
she took out the miniature which lay