The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-11-06

use denying it; the world had sud-
denly turned at a new angle, present
ing a new face, a roseate vision. 1t
rather subdued his easy banter.
What rews?" she asked
None" rather despondingly. I'm
sorry l had hoped by this time to
get somewhere. But it happens that
| can't get any further than this
house"
She did not ask him what he meant
by that.
Shall l play something for your"
she said.
please"
He drew chair beside the piano
and watched her fingers, white as the
ivory keys, f1utter up and down the
board. She played Chopin for him.
Merdelssohn, Grieg and Chaminade:
and she played them in surprisingly
scholarly fashion. He had expected
the usua! schoolgirl choice and execu-
ton; "Titania," the "MOonlight So
nata" (Which net half a dozen great
planists have ever played correctly,
monastery Bells and the like. He
bad prepared to make martyr Of
himself; instead, he was distinctly
and delightfully."- entertained.
You don't" he said whimsically,
when she finally stopped, you don't,
by any chance, know The Maiden's
Prayer'?"
She laughed. This piece was a
standing joke at school
Il have never played it. It may,
however, be in the music cabinet.
Would you like to hear it?" mis-
chievously.
Heaven forfend" he murmured,
raising his hands.
All the while the letter burned
against her heart, and the smile on
her face and the gayety on her tongue
were forced. "Confide in no one" she
repeated mentally, cor you seal my
death warrant"
why do you shake your head like
that?" he asked.
did 1 shake my head?" Her heart
tluttered wildly. 81 was not conscious
of it,"
Are you going to keep your prom
ise?"
What promise?"
Never to leave this house without
Jones or myself being with you"
Il couldn't if I wanted to- I'll wa
ger Jones is out there in the hall
this minute l know; it is all for
my sake. But it bothers me-"
Jones was indeed in the hall. and
when he sensed the petulance in her
voice his shoulders sank despondently
and he sighed deeply if silently.
At quarter to eight Florence, being
alone for minute. set fire to veil
and stuffed it down the register.
Jones'" she called excitedly, 81
smell something burning!"
Jones dashed into the ROOM shifted,
and dashed out again, heading for the
cellar door. His first thought was
naturally that the devils incarnate had
set fire to the house. When he re-
turned, having, of course, discovered
no fire, he found Florence gone. He
rushed into the hall. Her hat was
missing. He made for the hall door
with a speed which seemed incredible
to the bewildered Susan's eyes. Out
into the street, up and down which
he looked. Far away he discovered a
dwindling taxicab. The child was
gone.
In the house Susan was answering
the telephone, talking incoherently.
who is it?" Jones whispered, his
lips white and dry.
The princess. =. :" began Susan.
He took the receiver from her
roughly.
Hello, who is ito"
This is Olga Perigoff. Is Florence
there?"
NO, madam. She has Just stepped
out fer a moment. Shall I tell her
to call you when she returns?"
Eyes, please. I want her and Su.
san and Mr.. Norton to come to tea
tomorrow. Good-by."
Jones hung up the receiver, sank
into a chair near by and buried his
face in his hGrds.
What is it?" cried Susan, terrified
by the haggardness of his face.
She's gone! My God, those
wretches have got her! They've got
her!"
Florence was whirled away at TOP
speed. Her father! She was actually
on the way to her father, whom she
had always loved in dreams, vet never
seen
humber ii t'IGyG ntroM was upt al
attractive place, but wien she ar.
rived she was too highly keyed to
take note of it's sordidness. She was
rather out of breath when she reached
the door of the third fat. She knocked
timidly. The door was instantly