The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-02-10

Benefit of Florence.
and always will be. Perhaps I'm a bit
theory that all men are weak. If /
had daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than young
mans drudge. | distrust every man
know l came to ask you and Susan
to go to the opera with me tonight.
You will come to my apartments first.
You will Gomez"
ITO be sure we will"
Simple little fool!" thought the
Russian on the way home. "She shall
see."
Il believe the countess is engaged
to be married." said Florence to
Jones.
Indeed, miss?"
yes. | couldn't get anything def
mite out of her, but she had beauti-
full ring on her finger. She wants
Susan and me to go to the opera with
her tonight viii that be all right"
Jones gazed abstractedly at the rug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to find the solution 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 you
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"
81 promise that. But, ah! hasten
the day when he can come to me
without fear"
That is my wish also"
you need not call me miss. Why
should you?"
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.
rs it wrong for me to call Mr.. Nor
ton JIM" she asked with a bit of
banter.
ait 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 l 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 I am
Stanley Hargreave's daughter"
No, there is nothing to prove that
you are his daughter. But hasn't 1t
ever occurred to you that there might
be a purpose back of this? Might It
not be Of inestimable value that your
fathers enemies should be le'. 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 / refuse to do" quietly. II
am at least mistress of my heart;
and no one shall dictate to me whom
shall or shall not marry. love Mr..
Norton and he loves me, knowing that
l may not be an heiress after all. And
some day I 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
till seven. He found the telephone
call and also note in a handwriting
unfamiliar. He tore off the envelope
and found the contents to be from the
Countess Perigoff.
Call at eight tonight" he read. 81
nave an important news story for YOU.
Tell no one, as | cannot be involved
In the case. Cordially, Olga, Countess
Perigoff"
Humph! Norton twiddled the note
IN MS fingers and at length rolled it
into ball and threw 1t into the waste
basket. He. too, made a mistake; he
should have kept that note. He
dressed. dined, and hurried OF to the
apartments OF the countess.
He arrived ten minutes before Flor
ence and Susan.
And Jones did some rapid telephon.
ing