The Washington times., 1914-08-09
h2M[UlONDOQAR MYST[RY1,a &H eSRE42

but remain here and fight, fight, fight We have pu
four of them in the Tombs to say nothing of the gun
men. That is what must do-put them in a safe
place enc by one till reach the master. Then only
may we breathe in safety. But if they watch, do
There is never a moment when help is within reach
no matter where you 60. So long you do not de-
ceive me- no real harm shall befa you Don't cry. Be
your fathers daughter, am his servant
Il am very unhappy" And Florence threw her arms
around Susan and laid her head upon her friends
shoulder.
"Foor child" Susan, however recognized the wis
dom of jones' statements. They we're safest here
The morning rides continued To the girl who loved
the open, was glorious fun Those mad gallops along
the roads, tine smell of earth and sea- the Jingle in the
blood were the second best moments of her day. The
first? She invariably blushed VIXEN she considered what
these first best moments vert. He a brave young
man, good to look at witty and always cheerful Why
shouldn't she like him? Even Jones liked hin-Jones
who didn't seem to like anybody 1t did not matter
whether it was wise not worldly point of view was
farthest from her youthful thoughts It was her own
affair; her own heart.
Five days later as she and the riding master were
cantering along the road enjoying every bit of it. they
heard the beat Of hoofs behind. They drew ND and
turned. A rider approaching them at run It
was the head groom The stopped his horse In a
cloud of dust.
Sir, the stables are on fire."
fire."
All the riding masters savings were invested in the
stables The fact that he had solemniy promised
to leave Florence alone and that he had accepted
erous bonus slipped from his mind at the thought Of fire
terrible word to any horseman He wheeled and
started of at breakneck speed his head groom clater
ing behind him.
Florence naturally wondered which of two courses to
pursue follow them, when she would be perfectly help
less to aid them continue the ride and save at least
one horse from the terror of seeing flames She chose
the latter But she did ride with the earlier zest
She felt depressed She loved horses and the thought
of them DYING in those wooden stables was horrfying
The fire, however, proved to be incipent But it was
plainly 1ncendiary. Some had set fire to it with
purpose in view Norton recognized this fact almost as
soon as the fremen. He had come this morning with
the idea of surprising Florence. He was going out on
horseback to join her.
Ills spine grew suddenly cold trap! She had
been left alone the road! He IAN over to the garage
secured and went humring out toward the river
road. trap, and only by the sheerest luck had he
I turned up in time.
Meantime Florence was walking her mount slowly
For the scenery passed unobservcd She was deep
ly engrossed with her thoughts, some of which were
happy and some of which sad. If only her father
could be with her she would be the happest girl alive
She brought out of her revery by the sight of a
staggering along the road ahead of her. Finally he
plunged upon his face in the road Like the tender
hearted girl she was, she stopped smounted and ran
to the fallen to give him aid She suddenly found
her wrists claspei in two hands like iron. The man
to his feet smiling evly She struggled wildly but
futiely
Better be sensible" he said ct am stronger than
you And don't wish to hurt you. Walk on ahead
of It will be utterly useless to scream or cry out
You for yourself that are in deserted mart
of the road IL you will promise to act sensibly I
shan't lay hand you. Do you that hut yonder
the fork in the read? Well stop there Nov
march,"
She cropped FER handkc; thief later her tracelet and
finally her crop, In hope that these slight clues might
bring help 81. knew tina; Jones you'd hear Of the
fire. az q. finding that she had not ,aturrc. with the
riding master, woui mrl .stsv start but In pursuit
She was beginning to grow very fond of Jones' who
spoke unless spoken to- who always at hand
faithful and loyal.
Prom afar the low rumble of a motor She
wondered if her captor heard it. He did, But his ears
tricked him into believing that it came from another
direction Eventually they arrived at the hut and Flor
ence was forced to enter The locked the door and
waited outside for the automobile which he expect
ing. He was rather dumfounded when he saw that It
was coming from the city, not going toward it.
1t was Norton. The rideress horse told him enough;
the handkerchief and bracelet and crop led him straight
for the hut.
The man tetcrc the hut realized by this time that he
had made mistake. He attempted re-enter the hut
and prparc to defend it till h., crnparicrs hove in
sight But Florence, recognizing Norton held the door
with all her strength. The snarleG and turned upon
Nor;9n, only to receive smashing blow the jaw.
Norton flung open the door. "Inso the car, Florence;
There's another coming Up the road. Hurry"
1t not long chase. The of the auto bandits
looking like ordinary taxcab, high power ma
chine; and it gained swiftly Norton's four-cyinder.
The reporter waited srimly.
Keep your head DOWN. he warned Florence I'm
Going to take pot at their tires when they OCT within