The Ordway new era., 1915-06-11

Eiaiae moved into the drawing room.
Jennings springing forward to part the
portieres for her and passing through
the room quickly where F1irty F1ofrie
sat waiting. E1irty Florrie rose and
stood gazing At Elaine. apparently
very much embarrassed, even after
Jennings had gone.
ut IL embarrassing" she said final-
ly. "but. Miss Dodge. have come to
you to beg for my love-" $50. Il
Elaine looked at her nonplused.
"Yes." she continued. ''you do not
know 1t. but Craig Kennedy 10 infatu-
ated with you" She paused again,
then added. But he is engaged to me-"
Elaine stared at the woman. She
was daxed. She could not believe 1t.
There Is the ring" F1irty Florrie
added, indicating very impressive
paste diamond.
Quickly she reached into her bag
and drew out two photographs. with
out word, handing them to Elaine.
There's the proof" F1orrie said
simply. choking q sob.
Elaine looked with . start. Sure
enough. there was the neat living room
In the house on Prospect avenue. In
one picture F1orrie had her arms over
Kennedy's shoulders. In the other,
apparently. they were passionately
kissing.
Elaine slowly laid the photographs
on the table. 80"
"Please-please. Miss Dodge give
me back my lost love. You are rich
and beautiful-I am poor. have only
my good looks. But-I-I love him
and he-loves me-and has promised
to marry me-"
Florrie had broken down completely
and was weeping softly into lace
handkerchief.
She moved toward the door. Elaine
followed her.
"Jennings-please see the lady to
the door"
seized the photographs and hurried
into the library where she could be
alone.
Just then she heard the bell and
Kennedy's voice in the hall.
"Hw,are you this afternoon" Ken
nedy greeted Elaine gayly.
Elaine had been too overcome by
what had Just happened to throw 1t
of SO easily, and received him with
studied coolness.
Still, Craig. manlike. did not notice
It at once. In fact. he was too busy
gazing about to see that neither Jen-
nings. Marie nor the duenna Aunt Jo-
sephine we're visible. They were not
and he quickly took the ring from
his pocket. Without waiting. he
showed It to Elaine.
Elaine very coolly admired the ring.
as Craig might have eyed . specimen
ON . microscope slide. Still. he did
not notice.
He took the ring. about to put It
on her finger. Elaine drew away.
Concealment was not In her frank ma
ture. ~ ~. z
She picked up the two photograph.
what have you TO say about
those?" she asked cuttingly.
Kennedy. quite surprised. took them
and looked at them. Then he let them
fall carelessly on the table and
dropped into a chair. his head back In
q burst of laughter.
"Why-that was what they put over
on Walter" he said. "He called me
up early this afternoon-told me he
had discovered one of these poisoned
kiss cases you have read about in the
papers. Think OF it-all that to pull
q concealed camera! Such an clabo-
~. l,,ek % vAt wa nuh
they could fake this thing. sup
pose they've put someone up to say
ing she's engaged?V
Elaine was not 80 lightly affected.
But" she said severely; repressing
her emotion. 81 don't understand. Mr..
Kennedy, how scientific inquiry into
the poisoned kiss could necessitate
this sort of thing"
She pointed at the photographs ac-
cusingly.
But" he began. trying to explain.
"No butts" she interrupted.
"Then you believe that l."
How can you. as a scientist. ask mo
to doubt the camera?" she insinuated.
very coldly turning away.
Kennedy rapidly began to see that
It was far more serious than he had at
first thought.
Very WE'LL" he said with touch Of
impatience. "if my word is not to be
taken-I-11l-"
He had seized his hat and stick.
Elaine did not deign to answer.
Then. without . word. he stalked
out of the door.
-
Kennedy was moping in the labora-
tory the next day when came In.
'.Say. Craig" began, trying to over
come his at Of blues. .,aUy
Kennedy, filled with his own
thoughts, paid no attention to me.
Then he jumped up.
.By George WILL" he muttered.
poked my head out Of the door in
A. ~ a.. hak NJ