The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

too well. Far better for her II she
put an end to life. She would not live
year in the God-forsaken SHOWS of
Siberia
Ny kind fatheri', said Florence. as
II she could read his thoughts
Il had a hard time OF it. my child.
1t was difficult to play the butler with
you about The times that / fought
down the desire to sweep you up in
my arms. But I kept an iron grip on
that impulse. 1t would have imper-
lied you. In some manner 1t would
have leaked out. and your life and
mine wouldn't have been worth but
ton"
Florence threw her arms around
him and held him tightly.
THAT poor weak woman rpstairsi"
she murmured. Cant they let her
goT'
No. dear She has lost, and losers
pay the stakes. That's life. Norton,
you knew who was all the time,
didn't you?"
Il did. Mr. Hargreave. There was
a scar on the lobe of your ear; and
secret1y-I had often wondered at the
likeness between you and the real
Jones. When caught a glimpse of
that ear then knew what the game
was. And I'll add you played 1t amaz-
ingly well. The one flaw in Braine's
campaign was his hurry. He started
the ball rolling before getting all the
phases clearly established in his
mind. He was a brave man anyhow"
And do you think that you can lead
Florence to the million?" asked Har-
greave. smiling.
For one thing. It is In her room
and has always been there. It never
was in the chest"
Not bad, not bad" unused the IA
Their
But perhaps after all It will be
best II you show 1t to her yourself"
Just a little uncertain?" jibed the
millionaire.
Absolutely certain / will whisper
in your ear where It is hidden" Nor
ton leaned forward as Hargreave bent
attentively.
You've hit it." said the millionaire.
But how In the world did you guess
it?"
Because it was the last place any.
one would look for it. 1 judged at
the start that you'd hide It in just
such spot, in some place where you
could always guard II and lay your
hands on 1t quickly II needs said
must"
I'm mighty glad you were on my
side said HargreaEe. I'm a few
minutes We'll go up and take a look
at those packets of bills. There's a
very unhappy young woman there at
present"
rs it in my room?" cried Florence
Hargreave nodded
Meantime Countess Olga lowered
between two courses; brave attempt
to escape by the window or to turn
the revolver against her heart In
either case there was nothing left in
life for her. The man she loved was
dead below. killed by her hand. She
felt as though she was treading air in
some fantastical nightmare. She
could not go forward or backward, and
her heels were always within reach
of her pursuers
So this was the end Of things? The
dreams she had had of going away
with Braine to other chimes, the hap
piness she had pictured, all mere
chimeras. sudden rage swept over
her. She would escape. she would
continue to play the game to the end
She would show them that she had
been the mans mate, not his plant
tool? She raised the window and In
slipped the policeman who had pa
tiently been waiting for her Instant
II sc pl-ced the revolver ct her tenn
A Int
man had her by the wrist. She made
one tigerish effort to free herself,
shrugged and signifed that she sur
rendered
II don't want to hurt you, miss"
said the policeman, "but If you make
any attempt to escape I'll have to put
the handouts on you"
Til go quietly. What are you GO
ing to do with me?"
Turn you over to the Russian
agent He has extradition papers, and
guess it's Siberia
For me?" She laughed scornfully.
DO l look like a woman who would
go to Siberian
want to use the cuffs unless have
to-"
She laughed again. 1t did not have
pleasant sound in the officers ears.
He had heard women, on suicide bent,
laugh like that
I'll ask you for that ring ON your
dnger."
do you think there is poison in
it?"
Il shouldn't be surprised" he ad-
mitted.
She slipped the ring from her finger
and gave it to him.
There is poison in it, so be care
full how you handle it." she said.
The policeman accepted it gingerly
and dropped it into his capacious
pocket. 1t tinkled as 1t fell against
the handouts.
Before you take me away I want
you to let me see my man."
Il can do that"
At that moment the other police
man broke in the door.
"All right. Dolan; she's given up
the game"
''She didn't kill the man after ALL"
said Officer Dolan.
He's alive?" she screamed.
Yes; and they've taken him OF to
the Tombs. Just scalp wound. He'll
be all right In day or two"
"Alive." murmured Olga. She had
not killed the man she loved. then?
And If they were indeed taken to ST.
IBERIA she would be with him until the
end of things.
With her handsome head proudly